How will surgery affect my breathing and lung function?

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General thoracic surgeon, Dr. Madhuri Rao, discusses how lung surgery may affect breathing and lung function. Before surgery, patients complete breathing tests that help predict how their lungs will function afterward. If the results suggest the lungs would not tolerate surgery safely, or if long-term oxygen would be required, other treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy may be recommended instead. For patients who do undergo surgery, it is common to feel shortness of breath and fatigue for a few days while the lungs and body recover. Some patients may need oxygen for a short time, but most improve quickly. Within six to eight weeks, many patients regain their baseline breathing and return to normal daily activities.