It is always a new precious life that is received after transplantation in many aspects and many patients believe I can have normal previous life. Although it is new life and many of them might be feeling far better in terms of their symptoms and without the need of continuous oxygen and frequent hospitalisation.

After your transplant, you will have to take several medicines for life.

Yes. After your transplant, you will be closely monitored for life in the outpatient OPD . In the beginning 2 times a week, then once a week and so we build up to a check-up every 3 to 4 months to make sure that lung function is good and body is able to combat infections.

To make the most of your new lungs in your daily life, it is important to follow a rehabilitation program. Exercise program tailored to you with mainly cycling and walking, supplemented with specific exercises with personal guidance for upto 6 months.

Research shows that the Rehabilitation program and physical activity leads to an improved quality of life and increased exercise capacity.

Feeling good after a transplant depends on many factors like infection , rejection, adherence to therapy, a healthy and varied diet, exercise and knowing when to seek appropriate and professional care. There are two important phenomenon which can drastically lower the function of new lungs which is as follows:

(i) REJECTION

The medication you take after your transplant affects certain parts of your immune system, so the normal immune process won't attack your newly transplanted organ. However, it is not uncommon for your immune system to recognize and attack the transplanted organ. This is what we call 'rejection'.

(ii) RECURRENT INFECTIONS

The immunosuppressive medication that you take reduces the resistance. This makes you more susceptible to getting infections, especially during the first 3 to 6 months after your transplant. Some tips to avoid infections:

You should aim to be active for an extra 30 minutes each day. This could be: walking, cycling, light housework, gardening... The best way to meet this standard is not just to play sports, but to integrate these physical activities into your daily life.

Once they start feeling well after transplant many of them start smoking without knowing it side effects. Smoking again is harmful to health and significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and rejection.

Excessive use of alcohol is also prohibited as it can damage the liver and interfere with the action of some medications you are taking. Drinking alcohol on a daily basis is therefore prohibited.

Sexual problems after a lung transplant are not uncommon. It concerns impotence in the man and the absence of menstruation and infertility in the woman.

Most men regain their potency a few weeks after the transplant. A few weeks after the transplant, most women also return to their normal menstrual cycles and it is therefore possible to become pregnant. However, pregnancy after the transplant is strongly discouraged because of the possible consequences for the baby and the mother.

If you are sexually active, the use of contraception (condom, IUD, the pill) is strongly recommended to prevent pregnancy. In addition to preventing pregnancy, using a condom reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

Immunosuppressive medications can affect how oral contraceptives work. It is therefore best to discuss which contraception is most suitable with the transplant doctor and/or your gynaecologist.

Get vaccinated to boost your immunity and prevent the recurrent infections.

In order to detect rejection and infections in time, it is important to do a few tests regularly (1 to 2 times a day).

If you suffer from any of the above symptoms kindly consult your transplant Pulmonologist to discuss regarding the further treatment.