Feel Whole With Compassionate Lung Transplant Care
When you're facing a life-threatening lung disorder, simple tasks and your favorite activities can feel challenging. We understand this frustration, and our team is here to help you evaluate if a lung transplant is your best next step.
Located in Central Florida, our institute's lung transplant program is backed by the AdventHealth Transplant Institute. Together, our institute teams will explain your options and outline a plan of care just for you, so you can get back to feeling like yourself, one breath at a time.
World-Class Expertise, Whole Care for Life
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Less Waiting, More Living
Anticipate faster transplant list outcomes with a median wait time of just 6.1 days — less than one quarter of the national average.
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Outcomes That Outperform
Find courage in our hopeful outcomes. Our one-year survival rate exceeds the national average at 91%, with our post-transplant patients living longer and healthier lives.
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A New Level of Comfort
The Bartch Transplant House in Central Florida provides you and your family support and amenities you may need during your treatment.
Your Lung Transplant Treatment Plan
From starting your application to going home, your lung transplant team is here to help you take charge of your health every step of the way.
- Application
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Your application gives us the in-depth look we need to understand you and your health fully. Your care team will guide you through the entire process, from navigating the application to obtaining your medical records.
- Evaluation
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We’re a team with the same goal: to get you through your lung transplant and back to a healthy, active life. The evaluation process helps us map out how to reach that goal.
- Waiting List
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Our median wait time for a lung transplant is less than a week. Your care team is dedicated to making the wait as short and comfortable as possible for you and your family.
- Surgery
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Your multidisciplinary lung transplant team works tirelessly to turn complex procedures into success stories, thanks to innovative technology and excellent surgical expertise.
- Staying Healthy
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Your care doesn’t end when you leave the hospital. We’ll be here to guide you through life with your new lungs, empowering you with the information, tools and resources you need to be successful and live a healthy life.
Meet With a Lung Expert to Take the Next Step
With lung conditions, you deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve got experts in your corner who’ll be with you all the way. Our experienced providers are ready to evaluate your symptoms and diagnosis, discuss your options and determine whether a lung transplant is right for you.
Breathe Better With Support Groups and Rehab
No matter what health issue you’re facing, you’re never alone. The solid support of a community is a powerful tool for healing and recovery. Connect with others who understand your journey to feel supported in body, mind and spirit.
Your new life begins after your treatment. In our pulmonary rehab program, you can access the support and resources you need to care for your new lung(s). We’ll be right by your side the whole way.
Answering Your Thoracic Surgery Questions
We’re here to answer these frequently asked questions about thoracic surgery, and your care team will be happy to answer any questions you have throughout your treatment.
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Q:Question: Am I a candidate for a lung transplant, and when should I be referred for evaluation?
A:Answer:Ideal candidates for a lung transplant include:
- Those with end-stage lung disease who have exhausted all other treatment options
- Those under the age of 75
- Patients with a BMI under 38
- Patients with no other systemic organ failures
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerOur personalized lung transplant evaluation process is designed to ensure you have a successful lung transplant and the resources you need to care for it. Over the course of several weeks, you and your caregiver will get to know your transplant care team while undergoing a series of medical tests. It's an integrated process that's as much about assessing your physical health as it is your emotional health.
Once you've met with every person on your transplant team and your test results have been processed, your transplant coordinator will present your case to the AdventHealth Patient Review Committee. Together, they'll review your case to determine your best course of treatment. If your team is confident that a transplant is the best option for you, your name will be placed on the national organ waiting list.
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Q:Question: How long might I wait for a lung transplant, and how are donor lungs allocated?
A:Answer:Our median wait time for a lung transplant is less than a week. Your care team is dedicated to making the wait as short and comfortable as possible for you and your family. Your exact wait time for a transplant depends on your blood type, lung size, how urgent your need is and donor availability.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerDonor lungs are allocated by the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) using a specific scoring system known as the Lung Allocation Score (LAS). Those with the highest score for a specific organ will have the highest priority in receiving it.
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Q:Question: What is recovery like after a lung transplant, and how long will I be in the hospital?
A:Answer:After a lung transplant, you can expect to remain in the hospital between 10 and 21 days. The first few months after your surgery will require close monitoring from your care team and frequent doctor visits to ensure everything is functioning as it should. Most patients can return to school or work six months after their procedure. It’s also important to note that you will be required to take immunosuppressants indefinitely.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerTreating your new lung with care means treating your body well. Eat smart. Exercise with heart. And never forget the physical, emotional and mental challenges your mind and body have overcome. Your transplant team will create a detailed health and maintenance plan, including diet and exercise recommendations and guidance on how to avoid infection.
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Q:Question: What are the biggest risks after a lung transplant, including rejection and infection?
A:Answer:While the biggest risks after a lung transplant are rejection of the organ and infections, other long-term risks may arise, including:
- Having a stroke
- Heart complications
- Increased risk of some cancers
- Narrowing of the lung transplant airway
- Problems caused by medications
- Recurrent lung disease
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerBut rest assured, your physicians and transplant team will work closely with you and a multidisciplinary team of experts to ensure your safety and care for your every need.
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Q:Question: Will I need anti-rejection medicines for life, and what does long-term follow-up involve?
A:Answer:Yes, most transplant patients need to remain on anti-rejection medications (immunosuppressants) for life. When it comes to long-term follow-up care, patients can expect structured monitoring, a lifelong partnership with their care team, frequent lab work and clinic visits and preventive screenings to ensure they remain healthy.
Find Advanced Lung Healthcare Near You
You’re ready to breathe easier again. Let our experienced teams within the AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute network guide your path forward. We offer general lung healthcare and unmatched expertise for pulmonary hypertension, thoracic surgery, lung transplant and more — all coordinated through a trusted national network. Explore our locations or let our team guide you to the one that’s right for you.