There are steps that you can start now to get yourself in the best condition to benefit from lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS).

1. If you are a smoker, stop. We understand that this is more easily said than done, but it is of extreme importance to your pulmonary health. The surgeons will not perform this surgery on someone who is still smoking!
2. Nutritional health can maximize your chance of benefit.

   In general, most surgeons hesitate to perform elective surgery on people who are markedly overweight or underweight for their height. If you are dramatically overweight, you should talk to your physician about a medically supervised weight loss program. This is not always easy in light of your lung disease, and professional guidance can often mean the difference between success and failure. Good nutritional health also helps in the recovery phase after surgery.

3. Undergo a program of supervised exercise and education called pulmonary rehabilitation. Not only will this help maximize your lung health, it will assist you in getting in the best condition possible. This type of program differs from that of a local health spa or gym.

   The therapists, nurses, and aides at a quality pulmonary rehabilitation program have an understanding of the limitations that your lung disease presents and help you develop appropriate goals and programs of activity to meet them. If you are already involved in a rehab program, we will request a copy of your exercise log from your center to make sure that it is addressing your basic pulmonary physiologic needs.

   If you are not currently involved in a program, you can start one at a center near your home or go to the Duke Center for Living program of pulmonary rehabilitation. Duke’s "intensive program" runs four and a half weeks in length. Further information about this program at Duke can be obtained by calling 919-660-6660.