Pre-Lung Transplant Care

Lung transplant care begins well before surgery. Your Mayo Clinic team helps you get as healthy and strong as possible for transplant and recovery.

Your plan reflects what needs attention in your health now. Some people are ready to move toward the waiting list. Others need additional treatment, rehabilitation, or medical preparation first.

Pre-transplant care focuses on the parts of your health that can affect surgery and recovery. Your Mayo Clinic team can adjust medical treatment, address oxygen needs, use pulmonary rehabilitation to improve strength and function, support nutrition, and treat other health concerns that need attention.

Your exact plan depends on your lung disease, the findings from your evaluation, and what needs attention now. It may include:

A transplant evaluation does not always lead directly to the waiting list or surgery. Your team may recommend continued medical treatment, rehabilitation, monitoring, or care for another health issue first.

There are several reasons another step may come first:

• Your lung disease can still be managed without transplant.
• More information is needed before making a transplant decision.
• Another health concern needs attention before moving forward.
• The risks of surgery currently outweigh the expected benefits.
• Additional preparation could improve your readiness for transplant.

Taking another step first does not necessarily mean transplant is no longer an option. Your team will explain what they recommend, why, and when transplant may be right for you.

The work you do before surgery can shape your recovery after a lung transplant. Building strength, planning caregiver support, understanding medicines, and addressing health concerns early can help you and your caregiver know what to expect after surgery.