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  4. Lung Transplant

Lung Transplant

Learn about the lung transplant process and see if a transplant may be right for you.

As with any chronic medical condition, your pulmonary (lung) condition could reach a point of debilitation often known as end-stage, whereupon activities of daily living are severely limited and impaired.   It’s often at this time that lung transplantation becomes a viable option for you and your healthcare provider to consider.  

Lung transplantation may be a treatment option if you are  living with a severe lung disease that no longer responds to medications or other treatments.  Transplantation has been shown to improve not only quality of life but also life expectancy. Though considered a high-risk surgery, the results are often worth the risk. If you and your medical team decide that you could be a candidate for a lung transplant, it is important to be prepared and learn as much as you can about the procedure before you begin. 

There are things you can do to make yourself a stronger candidate for a lung transplant. Most important is medical adherence. Given the scarcity of lungs, as opposed to other organs, as well as the strict post-operative follow-up and the medication regimens, potential transplant recipients should always be compliant with medications, medical appointments and recommended  vaccinations. Transplant outcomes are the best when you are in the ‘most optimized’ condition, and so you may need to modify your diet and exercise regimen. Additionally, you will need to have a strong support network and maintain a tobacco-free lifestyle.  

A lung transplant is not an option for everyone or every lung disease, and every case is reviewed very closely by a network of physicians, nurses, coordinators and social workers deemed a ‘transplant team’. 

Conditions that May be Treated by a Lung Transplant

Types of Lung Transplants

Single lung transplant: One of your diseased or damaged lungs will be removed and replaced by a healthy donor lung.

Double lung transplant: Both lungs will be removed and replaced by healthy donor lungs.

Heart-lung transplant: One or both of your lungs and your heart is replaced by a healthy donor’s lung(s) and heart. This is often indicated when you have evidence of heart disease related to or separate from your underlying lung condition.

Lung Transplant Process

  • Transplant centers are geographically located across the United States, and your healthcare provider may recommend you to one or multiple depending on your location.  
  • Check with your insurance provider about which centers are covered under your plan.
  • Consider how many transplants each center does per year, as well as survivor rates. This information is available on the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR).
  • Investigate additional services provided at the center, such as assistance with travel arrangements, finding post-recovery housing and support groups.
  • Consider the distance between your home and the center, as you will need to travel there frequently.
  • First off, you will meet with a lung transplant team. They will interview you, review your health history and order preliminary testing to determine your candidacy for transplant.    
  • Next, you will complete more extensive testing to make sure your body is strong enough for a lung transplant. Tests include additional lung function tests, further specialized imaging, blood tests, bronchoscopies, bone density testing and evaluation of your heart and other organs.  They will also complete basic cancer screenings, as malignancy is often a contraindication. This evaluation could take up to two or three weeks to coordinate and complete. 
  • You will complete both social and psychological assessments to determine if you are mentally prepared and have the necessary social/emotional support to undergo the surgery and recovery period. 
  • You will need to demonstrate to the team that you understand the risks and benefits, including appreciating what life might be like after the transplant.
  • Some transplant centers have an upper age cut-off for transplants, while others may be flexible with the upper age limit.
  • If the transplant team agrees that you are a candidate for a transplant, you will be given a lung CAS. This score is based on many factors such as your age, type and severity of disease and your organ function. This scoring system is rather dynamic and can adjust based on each evaluation.
  • The score determines your place on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) wait list and will be updated based on the most current data after each visit with your pre-transplant team.
  • Each donor lung is different and may work better with certain lung transplant candidates than others.
  • Waiting for an organ donation is incredibly stressful. Lean on your support network and mental health professionals to help you learn and practice new coping skills. Transplant centers may offer pre-transplant support groups.
  • Stay as healthy as you can by eating healthy foods, avoiding exacerbations of your underlying disease and  stay active. During this waiting period you must show consistency with attending all your provider's appointments and taking your medications as prescribed.
  • Make sure you are always available and only a short drive away from the transplant center. You never know when you may get a call.
  • Stay prepared by having a go bag packed and ready. Make sure your support person that will be going with you is prepared and ready as well. Review the route and directions to your transplant center. Consider having a practice run so you know exactly how to get there, where to park and how to check in upon arrival.
  • The length and type of surgery depends on whether you are having a single or double lung transplant.
  • Your overall health also impacts how long the surgery will last. Surgery can last anywhere from six to twelve hours.
  • You will receive medication to keep you unconscious, pain free and your vitals will be monitored throughout the surgery.
  • Your surgeon will remove the diseased lung(s), connect the donor lung(s) to its new airway and connect the blood vessels to the lung(s) and your heart.
  • After surgery, you will be closely monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) for any complications.
  • You will take medication to manage the pain and will begin taking anti-rejection medications.
  • Initially, you will be on a ventilator to help you breathe while your lungs get stronger and ready to breathe on their own. Once you are off the ventilator, you will move from the ICU to a step-down unit.
  • Each person's recovery timeline is different. You may need to spend several weeks in the hospital. Everyone adjusts to their new lungs and medications differently.
  • You will be given detailed instructions about medications, follow-up appointments, diet, exercise and pain management.
  • If you do not live close to the hospital, you may need to stay nearby for about three months in case any complications arise.
  • Follow the detailed instructions from the lung transplant team. These instructions may include information about the recovery process, how family and caregivers should be involved and signs of infection and rejection.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle by staying up to date with your medical appointments, vaccines and completing any necessary testing.
  • Avoid smoking, secondhand smoke and other exposures that may put your lungs at risk.
  • It is also best to avoid crowds and those that are sick. The antirejection medications you will take for the rest of your life will make you immunocompromised. This means you are more likely to get sick, and when you do you are at risk of being more severely ill, so it is important to take steps to avoid respiratory illness.

Discuss Your Options

A lung transplant is not an option for all people living with lung disease, and there are risks and benefits. Spend time talking with your healthcare provider so you understand all the steps. 

Remember, you are not alone. There are several ways you can connect with other people who have had a lung transplant as well as lung disease experts:

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Page last updated: June 5, 2025

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