Oh dear. What a let down when you were mentally prepared to have the surgery. I have bronchiectasis and had cataract surgery (in 1 eye) in March. To help control coughing during the procedure I cleared my lungs as much as possible before the surgery (mucinex 1200mg, albuterol inhaler, and then 2 vials of 7% saline via nebulizer, airway clearance). Make sure to lie flat during airway clearance! I think I also took a cough suppressant (tessalon pearl). You can also take robitussin OTC without the decongestant. This helped a lot but I have to say once I lie flat I started to cough! While I waited for the surgeon I did some huff coughs. I was given through IV midazolam for supposed light sedation but I don't remember a thing. It really knocked me out and must have stopped the coughing as they said all went well.

Did you speak with your surgeon and/or pulmonologist about your bronchiectasis and coughing prior to surgery?