Lung Transplant Process

Our team of dedicated physicians and nurses will guide you through a complete medical evaluation to determine if lung transplant would be safe and beneficial for you. Our lung transplant team also includes a pharmacist, social worker, dietitian and patient access specialist who will meet with you to see if you are a candidate for lung transplant.

We understand that you will have questions, and we encourage clear, open communication between our transplant team, patients and their families throughout the process.

Learn more about lung transplant evaluation at UChicago Medicine

If we determine that you are a candidate for lung transplant, your name will be added to the national waiting list for transplant with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) until a matching organ is available. Matches are based on several factors, including your blood type, age, urgency for transplant and other factors.

Transplant Waitlist FAQs

When a suitable organ becomes available, our team will contact you and provide instructions about coming in for your lung transplant surgery. When you arrive at the hospital, you may need some additional tests before your surgery.

If you are having a single-lung transplant, your surgery will take about three or four hours. If you are having a double-lung or multiorgan transplant, your surgery will take longer.

After your surgery, you will stay in the hospital for a few weeks, depending on your procedure. We will closely monitor your lung and heart function, pain, nutrition and other factors. We may also adjust your medications to reduce the risk of organ rejection after your surgery.

Your post-transplant nurse coordinator will work with you to schedule whatever follow-up appointments and tests you may need once you leave the hospital. You may spend some time in a rehabilitation facility before you are ready to go home.

Your treatment after surgery will include physical therapy and occupational therapy to help you get stronger. A nurse and pharmacist will also visit you at home to monitor your health and medications. We will provide personalized instructions to help you understand when and how to take your medications and how best to stay healthy after transplant.

At home, you will need to record your spirometry (breathing test) results, blood pressure, temperature and weight every day. You will bring these numbers to the clinic on each visit.

We understand that getting a lung transplant can be stressful for you and your loved ones. At UChicago Medicine, we offer a lung transplant support group for patients and family members.

Our financial coordinators will also help coordinate your benefits and counsel you about any potential cost of evaluation, transplant and post-operative care. Discounted hotel rates are also available if you are coming from out of town.