Preparations for a lung transplant usually begin a long time before the transplant. Sometimes you might need to prepare for a lung transplant weeks, months or even years depending upon the waiting time for your transplant.

If your doctor recommends a transplant, you will be referred to a transplant center for your evaluation. You are free to select a transplant center of your choice as well. When you are evaluating a lung transplant center, do keep in mind to:

• Check with your health insurance provider to know which transplant centers are covered by your insurance plan
• Look at the number of lung transplants the center performs each year as well as the survival rates of the recipients.
• Consider additional services that your transplant center provides, such as travel arrangements, support groups, help to find local housing for your recovery period, etc.

Once you have made up your mind to have your lung transplant, you will need an evaluation in order to see if you are eligible for the transplant. During an evaluation, your medical history will be reviewed by your doctors and transplant team and a physical examination will also be conducted. A physical examination along with several other tests will also be required in order to evaluate your mental and emotional health.

The benefits and risks of the transplant will also be discussed by your transplant team as well as what you should expect before, during and after your transplant. Your name will be registered as well as placed on the waiting list, once you are determined eligible for the transplant.

If the transplant team determines you as a candidate for a lung transplant, your name will be registered and placed on a waiting list. Since the number of people who need lung transplants exceed the number of donated lungs available, unfortunately, some people die while they wait for their transplant.

While you are on the waiting list, your medical team will be closely monitoring your condition as well as alter your treatment as needed. Your doctor might also recommend healthy lifestyle changes, which include eating a healthy diet, getting exercise on a regular basis and avoiding tobacco.

Your doctor might also recommend you take part in a pulmonary rehabilitation program while you are waiting for the donor’s lung, as this can help in improving your health as well as your ability to function in daily life before and after the transplant.

As soon as a donor organ is available, the donor-recipient matching system administered by the United Network for Organ Sharing will find an appropriate match based on specific criteria, which includes:

• Blood type
• Size of organ compared with the chest cavity
• How severe the recipient’s condition is
• Geographic distance between the donor organ and transplant recipient
• Likelihood that the transplant will be successful
• Overall health of the recipient

Even though it can take months or even years before a suitable donor is available, you should be prepared at all times. Make sure that your transplant team is able to reach you at all times.

Keep your hospital bag packed and remember to include a 24 hour supply of your medications. Also arrange transportation to the center in advance, as when the organ is available, they will be expecting your arrival in just a few hours.

After you arrive, you will need to undergo tests in order to make sure that the lung is a good match, and you are healthy enough for surgery. The donor’s lung needs to be healthy as well, or else it will be declined by the team. If it doesn’t seem like the transplant will be a success, it might be cancelled.