After the Procedure:

Lung transplant is an extreme measure for patients with life-threatening lung disease or damage. Survival rates are high at 1 year following the transplant but are somewhat lower at 4 years.

Fighting rejection is an ongoing process. The body's immune system considers the transplanted organ as an invader (much like an infection) and may attack it.

To prevent rejection, organ transplant patients must take anti-rejection (immunosuppression) drugs (such as cyclosporine and corticosteroids) that suppress the body's immune response and reduce the chance of rejection. As a result, however, these drugs also reduce the body's natural ability to fight off infections.

Outlook (Prognosis):

Patients should expect to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time. The recovery period is about 6 months. Patients will need to have regular check-ups with blood tests and x-rays for many years.