@raney...I had cataract surgery and was able to continue my airway clearance without trouble. I lie down to cough out the mucus into tissues. This helps with lightheadedness and the pain in my whole body when I cough hard.
I also use Mucinex to loosen the thick mucus. With my nebulizer treatments twice a day, the saline makes for a smoother coughing experience. Don't be afraid of the surgery, it was easy and the results are glorious!