Life After Lung Transplant

Overview

Individuals with serious lung disorders have more confidence after undergoing lung transplantation, which helps in transforming their quality of life. While the transplant procedure is an important step forward, the journey does not end there.

The challenges and adaptations that come with life following lung transplantation are unique. This blog will examine how lung transplantation can change a person’s life and explain what to anticipate after receiving a transplant.

What is a Lung Transplant?

Lung transplant is the surgical operation which involves the removal and replacement of an unhealthy or diseased lung with a healthy lung received from a donor. The transplant takes about 6 to 8 hours. During the process of lung transplant, a cut is made in the patient’s chest by the surgeon and the diseased lung is removed and the healthy donor lung is then placed in connection with the blood vessels, heart and the main airway to the lung and the chest area will be closed after transplant.

Types of Lung Transplant

• Single Lung Transplant includes the replacement/transplant of one of the diseased lungs out of the two.
• Double Lung Transplant includes the replacement of both the lungs.
• Bilateral Lung Transplant is removal or transplant of both lungs one at a time.
• Heart- Lung transparent includes the transplant of the lungs and heart from a single

Life After Lung transplant is different and after the completion of surgery, the patient spends a few days to 2-3 weeks in the intensive care unit of the hospital to provide artificial support to the new lung to avoid its rejection. A mechanical ventilator helps in breathing and strong medication is given to the patient to avoid disapproval of the lung. After few days with the complete approval of the new lung in the patient’s body he or she is released out from the ICU (intensive care unit) and the hospital which is further followed by the recovery phase that includes proper precautions and strict monitoring of lung to avoid any complication Lung transplant in India is performed in almost all the private hospitals. For more information on the prices and the packages of lung Transplant Cost in India, click here.

Over several years the lung transplant has become a vital treatment option for the patients with lung diseases. Some Best lung transplant hospitals in India offer patients with high-quality care along with effective and affordable treatment alternatives. Not only that but the hospitals in India provide the patient with spending less time on the waiting list, receiving care, and returning home without complications after transplant.

Following surgery, the patient should always have one or two carers nearby for a period of one to three months to ensure that the patient receives the right care, such as timely medicine administration, assistance with everyday tasks, and routine hospital visits for checkups to prevent strain and infection.

Following a successful lung transplant, the patient and carers must pay close attention to a few details to maintain the former’s fitness and health.

• Taking proper care and medication as instructed by the doctor. Do regular follow ups to keep a track of lung’s health through tests like X-ray, CT scan, Ultrasound, lung biopsy, etc.
• Follow a nutritious diet plan and avoid food such as unpasteurized milk, uncooked or raw fish, meat, eggs, etc.
• Immunosuppressant medicines need to be taken lifelong to suppress the immune system to avoidthe disapproval of the donor lung.
• Adapt a healthy lifestyle with a gooddiet and completely avoid the usage of alcohol and tobacco.
• Exercise is a vital part of rehabilitation after a lung transplant and will start within days of your surgery.

If you happen to have any queries or need additional help or information regarding your transplant, you can speak with your specialized professionals. In regards to tha India as a developing country has some of the Best Lung Transplant doctors in India who are well-known not only in India but also around the globe.

Benefits of Lung Transplant

• After surgery patients experience a new phase with improved quality of life & new responsibilities.
• The survival rate of lung transplant patients is about 55 percent for approximately 5 years and can last up to 10 to 20 years.
• Post lung transplant the recipient may feel the enhanced body metabolism and have more energy to do basic activities on a daily basis and also other activities that require physical strength.
• Increase in the rate of fertility and it is safe to conceive after lung transplant.

Risks of Lung Transplant

• During any surgery there is a risk of bleeding, infection, blood clot, complication due to anesthesia and death.
• There is a possibility that the immune system of the body may attack the transplanted lung as the immunesystem tries to protect the body from the bacteria, fungi, virus, etc.
• Body may give several indications that the transplanted lung is not suitable or a perfect match for the body. It includes body pain, weight gain, fever, nausea, vomiting, etc.
• Chronic rejection may occur after 2-3 years of the transplant which can lead to death of the patient.

How To Support And Motivate The Patient?

A patient might feel some sort of anxiety while waiting for transplant or to have fear of rejection.

The transplant team can also assist the patient for coping like:

• Rehabilitation services: get connected to the rehabilitation services provided by the home state while returning to work.
• Joining a support group that will help to share an experience which can ease the discomfort and anxiety.
• Educate yourself about the treatment procedure and the questions for which you need the answer to stay aware of it.
• Accept that the life after a transplant may or may not be similar tolife before a transplant. Patients must have realistic expectations about results and the recovery time can help in reducing the stress.

Conclusion:

Lung transplant is done to remove the diseased or damaged lung and replace it with a healthy lung received from a donor. After the lung transplant the quality of the patient’s life can be improved. After the transplant some major threats are surgical complication, rejection and infection. The patient needs to take proper precautions and a nutritious diet. The survival rate of Lung transplants is pretty good and the person can survive up to 5 years but in some cases the patient may live longer for 10 or more years.