Caring for Your Transplanted Lungs

Due to the complexity of a lung transplant surgery, the procedure will require several hours and several weeks for a full recovery.

After the surgery, patients will recover in one of our hospitals' intensive care unit (ICU) before moving to a hospital room for one to three weeks. The patient’s doctor may recommend pulmonary rehabilitation afterward to help improve breathing capabilities. Pulmonary function tests will help doctors monitor a patient’s breathing and recovery as well. After leaving the hospital, patients will regularly visit their doctor to check for infection or rejection of the new lung, as well as to test the lung’s functionality.

To help prevent rejection, patients will need to take medicines for the rest of their life that suppress their immune system and help prevent their body from rejecting the new lungs. Practicing good hygiene, obtaining routine vaccines, and adopting healthy lifestyle choices such as heart-healthy eating and not smoking are very important for the success of a patient’s new lung.

Patient Stories

  • “I’ve been through all the teams at NBI, and I’m still here. So they must be doing something right.”

    Shannon
    Read More
  • “It is a gift of life. Everyone in my family is now signed up as an organ donor.”

    Eileen
    Read More
  • “My doctors are great people—miracle workers. They cared so much and saw me in the hospital every day. It was a great team that put me all back together again.”

    Tony
    Read More

Patient Stories

  • Watch Testimonial
  • Watch Testimonial
  • Watch Testimonial
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
View

Lung Transplant Treatment & Care

offered at these locations in your neighborhood

View All Locations