My sister-in-law has COPD. She has been going to Columbia Presbyterian In NYC and they are recommending a lung reduction. The doctor, Ginsberg, is not covered by her insurance thought the hospital is. She was told to see a Dr. Billinger in Stony Brook University and has an appointment to see him. We were told only Columbia did this procedure and now Stony Brook is in the picture. we want the best treatment and result from this and want to know how we can find out if the Dr Billinger is proficient in the lung reduction procedure and would she be better served at Columbia.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. COPD is progressive Pulmonary disease. Surgery like lobectomy, Pulmonary resection are advised and known as lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). But it is recommended only after failure of optimal non-surgical treatment. Optimal nonsurgical treatment includes smoking cessation, chest physiotherapy, deep breathing exercises, inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). If after doing all these, patient is still symptomatic than one can go for surgical treatment. Decision about surgery should be taken after in depth discussion with doctor because surgery is not always beneficial to the patient. So my suggestion is to first give her optimal nonsurgical treatment. Hope I have solved your query. Wishing good health to your sister-in-law. Thanks.