What should I expect after lung transplant surgery?

Following  lung transplant surgery, you'll remain in the hospital or transfer to a recommended rehabilitation facility to optimize recovery and guard against infection and organ rejection. From there, you begin the life-long process of returning to and maintaining pulmonary health. You'll continue to work closely with your transplant pulmonologist, your physical therapist, and members of the social services team. In the first few months following surgery, you return to your doctor for checkups. After four months, the frequency of these visits decreases to once a month. During this time, you take a number of medications that are important to maintaining the health of your new organ. The transplant team works with you to make sure that you fully understand the purpose of these medications and are comfortable with the related instructions. At follow-up visits, you participate in a regular schedule of diagnostic and medical care, including physical examination, complete blood and x-ray analysis, review of medications, bronchoscopy, dental care with antibiotic prophylaxis as needed, and annual eye and, for women, gynecologic care.