Background. Oxygen consumption volume (VO 2 ) and resting energy expenditure are increased in emphysema because of impaired respiratory function and mechanics, with greater oxygen cost of breathing and altered metabolism. We hypothesized that lung volume reduction surgery may improve energy expenditure and metabolism.Methods. In this 1-year prospective study, 30 patients with moderate-to-severe emphysema underwent bilateral lung volume reduction surgery; 28 similar patients, who refused operation, followed a standard respiratory rehabilitation program. Oxygen consumption volume and resting energy expenditure, both corrected for fat-free mass, VO 2 proportion of respiratory muscles (%VO 2 Resp), respiratory quotient, and energy substrate oxidation were determined by using a calorimetric chamber with indirect methods.Results. Only after surgery significant improvements resulted in 1-second forced expiratory volume (؉20.4%, p ؍ 0.009), residual volume (؊24.8%, p ؍ 0.001), diffusion-lung carbon-monoxide (؉18.4%, p ؍ 0.008), body mass index (؉5.5%, p ؍ 0.01), resting energy expenditure (؊8.2%, p ؍ 0.006), and %VO 2 Resp (؊44.1%, p ؍ 0.0008) with increase in respiratory quotient (0.79 versus 0.84,