When you have any kind of surgery, you're usually referred to your primary care doc to be cleared for surgery, assuming that you have no specific problems. If you have COPD they sent you to your pulmonologist to be cleared for surgery; actually, a pretty good idea! After all breathing is critical and if there's a problem with your breathing it's good to know that your pulmo thinks you'll be okay even during surgery where you're intubated.

I have end stage COPD, I was told that I really can't have surgery. The colonoscopy is a different story because it is a twilight sleep, however I still need my pulmonologist's permission to have it done. He denied the procedure where they put the scope down your throat - said I was in danger of never coming off the ventilator. Risk not worth the benefit. Typically your gastro guy will contact your pulmonologist for that permission.

Thanks for clarifying my answer - sometimes I think faster than I type. My point with the surgery was that anything we can do to prevent the need for surgery is super important. I produce an enormous amount of polyps (wish I could find a market for them). The polyps can cause bleeding which makes me so anemic I need iron infusions. Therefore the colonoscopy hopefully will prevent cancer or other issues. I take meds for osteoporosis to try to keep my bones strong. It's all a balancing act.

Laurie, you may be confusing an endoscopy with being intubated. With the endoscopy, they simply send a camera down, pretty much like the colonoscopy but from the other direction. An endoscopy wouldn't require any intubation, which is what they do when you have regular surgery with traditional anesthesia. Your doc is concerned that you might not be able to come off the ventilator, which is what you're attached to when you're intubated. Even though you've been told you can't have any surgery, if some is necessary, I would talk with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist. If they're good and have worked with people with COPD, it may very well be possible. Don't just say no I can't.

You've received a lot of good answers. The truth of all of this is just that simple. Any surgery, regardless of the cause or effect any decease must be evaluated my your Primary and , in our case, our pulmonologist ,just like all the other specialists in the Medical Arena, must have the OK from ones primary.
I know, it can be very, very frustrating. Appointments after appointments. Do not let it get to you. Your safety and health is that important. Relish it.