We breathe over 20,000 times a day—without even noticing it. It’s something we all take for granted. But for people living with serious lung problems, even a single breath can be a struggle. Something as simple as getting out of bed, taking a shower, or walking a few steps can feel like climbing a mountain. Life becomes a daily battle for air.
For patients with advanced lung diseases, breathing doesn’t come naturally. What we feel after running for a few minutes—tight chest, breathlessness, or gasping for air—is what they feel every moment of the day. Over time, medicines and other treatments may stop working. That’s when lung transplantation becomes an option—a real chance to breathe freely again and live fully.
A lung transplant is a surgery where one or both damaged lungs are replaced with healthy lungs from a donor. This is usually considered only when all other treatments fail and the patient’s quality of life is badly affected.
Lung transplantation is not for everyone. It’s recommended for people suffering from severe conditions like:
For these patients, a transplant offers more than just medical relief. It brings back hope, freedom, and the chance to do everyday things without being breathless.
Before surgery, patients with advanced lung disease often rely on oxygen cylinders or machines at home to help them breathe. Even basic daily activities like brushing their teeth, bathing, or wearing clothes become very hard. They may need someone’s help all the time.
At this stage, doctors carry out detailed checks to see if a lung transplant is the right step. They assess:
Emotional strength is just as important. Choosing to go through a lung transplant is a big decision. Many patients say it feels like taking a leap of faith—but one that offers hope for a better life.
The transplant surgery is performed by a skilled team of doctors. The damaged lung or lungs are removed, and healthy donor lungs are placed in the body. The operation can take several hours.
After the surgery, patients stay in the hospital for a few weeks. During this time, doctors closely watch for any signs of infection or problems with the new lungs.
Recovery doesn’t end at the hospital. At home, patients need to take medicines every day to prevent the body from rejecting the new lungs. They also need regular check-ups and, in many cases, to make changes to their daily habits to stay healthy.
But the reward is big—many patients can walk again without support, return to work, travel, and enjoy life with their family and friends without feeling breathless all the time.
None of this would be possible without organ donation. Every lung transplant begins with a kind and selfless act—someone saying “yes” to donating their organs after death. These donors save lives, and their families are heroes too. Thanks to their decision, patients get a second chance at life.
Many people don’t know enough about lung transplants or organ donation. Some are unsure, and others are afraid. But the truth is, these medical miracles can save lives. When more people understand how it works, they might feel confident to register as donors or talk to their families about it.
By spreading awareness, we can save more lives—and give more patients the chance to breathe freely again.
At Kauvery Hospital, we have a dedicated heart & lung transplant team run by world-class experienced doctors, nurses, and support staff. From testing and surgery to aftercare and counselling, we’re here every step of the way. Our goal is to make this journey safe, smooth, and filled with hope for every patient.
If you or someone you love is struggling with a serious lung disease and other treatments have stopped working, don’t give up. A lung transplant may be the next step forward.
A lung transplant isn’t just about replacing a failing organ—it’s about restoring the rhythm of life.
1. Who needs a lung transplant?
A lung transplant is recommended for people with severe lung diseases like ILD, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, or advanced pulmonary hypertension when medicines stop working and breathing becomes very difficult.
2. What symptoms suggest someone may need a lung transplant?
Persistent breathlessness, oxygen dependency, extreme fatigue, frequent lung infections, and difficulty doing daily activities may indicate severe lung failure that requires transplant evaluation.
3. How do doctors decide if I am eligible for a lung transplant?
Doctors assess your lung function, overall health, age, ability to follow treatment, and the stage of disease through scans, blood tests, and physical exams to confirm if you are a suitable candidate.
4. How long does recovery take after a lung transplant?
Initial recovery takes a few weeks in the hospital, followed by several months of medicines, check-ups, and rehabilitation to help the new lungs work well.
5. What are the risks of lung transplanting?
Risks include infection, rejection of the donor lung, side effects from medicines, and long-term immune system suppression. With proper care, many patients recover well and regain normal activities.
6. Can a lung transplant improve quality of life?
Yes. Most patients breathe easier, walk without oxygen support, regain strength, return to work, and enjoy daily activities without constant breathlessness.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet, Radial Road & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and paediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Radial Road – 044 6111 6111 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Maa Kauvery Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Kauvery Cancer Institute, Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 68011
