Should you be told about transplants, endobrachial valves or lung volume reduction surgery at diagnosis? Information is good and information is power. But think about what your response would have been if the person who diagnosed you immediately talked about a transplant (TX) or other major surgeries. Chances are good that the person who diagnosed you spent time explaining the diagnosis and developing a treatment plan for you. They want you to learn about your condition and become a knowledgeable patient. At subsequent visits, it's possible that the subject might come up if your condition was severe enough. If the person who diagnosed you is your primary care doc, chances are good that they know next to nothing about any alternatives, the qualifications for the surgeries, where they're done or how to even start the process. Most don't know anything about the medications that have been developed in the last five years, so their treatment plans are often inadequate.
That's why you need a pulmonologist. If you want to know about these alternatives, make an appointment to discuss them with your pulmonologist.

As always, Jean , you have the best answers and they are well thought out and
easy to understand.

Hi @A MyCOPDTeam Member, I agree with you about being informed about things like operations, as I was in hospital I had to undergo a herna operation but couldn’t be knocked completely knocked out for the op, instead I was given as hepadual injection in the lower back because of having spleen problems that if I had been knocked for the op I would never come out of it. So I’m just greatful that I came through it & was able to talk & have a bit of a laugh with the team doing the op.

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A MyCOPDT...

National Jewish which is where I am lucky enough to be a patient says stem cell for COPD is a big waste of funds. National Jewish is the *1 lung research hospital on our planet. I was initially refused as a patient at NJ because they were overwhelmed , lucky for me my wife (top notch paralegal convinced them otherwise).I required 5 LPM sitting and 8 LPM walking 4 years ago. Currently I require zero - 2 Lpm sitting and 3-4 Lpm walking , all after zero stem cell treatments.

At this point in time , stem cell treatment for COPD or Lung Cancer is only a very expensive scam. Save your money, judg69