You would never think anesthesia for surgery would cause something like this. General anesthesia — which brings on a sleeplike state with the use of medicines before a procedure or surgery — is a common cause of atelectasis. It changes your regular pattern of breathing and affects the exchange of lung gases. This can cause the air sacs in your lungs to lose air.

Yes I have one, does this cause permanent damage?

Thanks Jo. I forgot the name of them and will take mine out of hiding and start using it again 🥰

Incentive Spirometers, I had one when I was told I would be most likely using the wheelchair the rest of my life. It helps you make sure you are using the capacity of your lungs, For those in wheelchairs, it is too easy not to be breathing effectively, and that increases risk for pneumonia, etc. After surgery, because it can be uncomfortable to take deep breaths, the spirometers are often used as well. If you have them, they can be useful in maintaining your lung function at their best levels.

From what I read I think it’s permanent but would have to do research to see if that is 100 percent correct but the device is supposed to be be very helpful in preventing further damage