Waiting for a Lung Transplant
If you’ve been approved by the selection committee for a lung transplant, you’re likely wondering what happens next. And although your transplant coordinator will go over the process with you, we know that sometimes, in the excitement, it’s easy to forget the details. That’s why we’ve gathered them here for you.
Going on the Waiting List
Once you’re approved for surgery, your transplant coordinator will put you on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) waiting list. UNOS manages the national waitlist, matching donor organs to recipients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and ensuring that every donated organ goes to the right person at the right time.
How Long Will I Wait?
On average, people wait for about six to eight months for a donated lung. While you wait, you must stay within a two-hour drive of the Hume-Lee Transplant Center and be reachable by phone. We’ll ask you to provide us with two contact numbers and let us know if you’re traveling to ensure we can always reach you.
Understanding Your Responsibilities
Knowing what to expect — and what’s expected of you — during the waiting period, will help you feel prepared and confident going into your surgery.
You’ll come to our clinic every one to two months, so we can monitor your health and update UNOS with any changes. During these visits, your transplant team will check your lungs and overall health.
Your team may help you prepare for surgery, too. For example, they may help you lose weight or build muscle during the waiting period since taking these steps can strengthen your chances of an even better outcome.
Of course, staying healthy and strong is important. Some tips for staying healthy include:
- Getting regular exercise
- Quarantining when you’re sick
- Washing your hands frequently
- Wearing a mask around others
If you develop a cold, flu or other virus, please inform your transplant coordinator right away. Your spot on the UNOS waitlist may need to be put on hold until you recover.
Learn more about your role in a successful transplantation.
Connecting to Helpful Resources
Waiting for an organ donation can be very stressful. To help you cope, we offer monthly support groups led by licensed social workers. You can also join a Zoom support group from the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.
Behavioral Health specialists can help, too. We can connect you with our talented team.
For more information about available resources, visit the Hume-Lee Transplant Center Patient Resources page.