It is important to discuss a possible lung transplant long before you need to be listed. This will give you time to prepare for transplant as a future option and work with your cystic fibrosis care team to understand the implications and to create a plan.
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Surgery and recovery involves more than replacing your lungs. The process also includes making the physical and emotional adjustment to life with your new lungs.
If your cystic fibrosis care team refers you to a lung transplant center, you and your transplant team will have the opportunity to get to know each other.
Because transplant is such a complex process, most transplant centers require that candidates gather the necessary social support to help navigate the transplant process.
A lung transplant may be a treatment option when your diseased lungs can no longer support your body's needs.
To be considered for a lung transplant, you must undergo an extensive evaluation at a transplant center. The process can take several days to several weeks, depending on the center. This evaluation will inform the transplant team about your health, finances, support system, and ability to follow a complex medical regimen.
If the transplant committee thinks transplant surgery would be harmful to you, ask your transplant team about what options you have. It is possible that you will need to receive treatment for another medical condition before you may be considered a good candidate for a lung transplant.
Successfully managing a chronic disease like cystic fibrosis means more than just taking medications. It requires trusting partnerships between people with CF and their families with their CF care teams to develop treatment plans that line up personal life goals with health goals.
Nutritional support is a vital component of care for patients with cystic fibrosis. These recommendations cover caloric intake, dosing for pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, and monitoring growth in childhood and weight status in patients of all ages.
To help standardize the diagnosis of both infants with positive newborn screening results and older patients with what may be cystic fibrosis symptoms, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation worked with CF medical experts to develop guidelines on the steps leading to a confirmed diagnosis.