Considering another Transplant

Posted by tmnoldan @tmnoldan, Feb 1, 2021

Hello, I am three years post Liver transplant (liver doing great). I am considering whether to proceed with going thru another transplant for lungs that have been getting progressively worse especially the last year or so. Have been on oxygen since prior to liver transplant. Anyone have thoughts or experience with going through the whole process again and whether the good outweighs the bad.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

@tmnoldan Welcome to Mayo Connect! I see by your profile that you have been a member here for three years, but this is your first post.

So glad to hear you are doing well with your new-to-you liver! We are not medical professionals, and cannot offer you medical advice. My thoughts are that your question whether to pursue a lung transplant is best left for your doctors to answer, as they are familiar with your individual case. Will you come back here and let us know what they say? I am sure others besides me will be interested in your findings!
Ginger

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Hi @tmnoldan You don't mention your age, or if your doctor is recommending a lung transplant, but if your condition is bad enough that a transplant is recommended I personally would go for it.

I had a liver transplant in September 2016 and it was definitely worth it. I am well now. I never had any problems from the transplant. Are you hesitating because you had problems when you had your liver transplant?

Of course the final decision is whether or not your doctor feels that your condition warrants a transplant.
JK

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@tmnoldan, I am a recipient with 11+ years since my simultaneous liver and kidney transplant. in 2009. Your question about whether or not to proceed to another transplant is something that I have wondered about for myself if I were to ever need one. My surgical recovery was a normal one, and my new organs began to function immediately. Early on, it was the memory sickness and side effects that I struggled with before my transplant that made me say, "No way." However as time has passed, I realize that the transplant surgery is what restored my life to what it is today. I think that my decision would be to dependent on my health at the time along with potential future possibilities. In reality, my age would probably make the decision for me.

What kind of a future are you facing with vs without the transplant?

I want to invite members who have experienced or are considering a 2nd transplant. - @ca426, @cehunt57, @kennyj12462, @2011panc, @mnemeth318 @joanaiken

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@tmnoldan, I’m wondering how you are doing. I can understand your concern and hesitancy for a 2nd major surgery.

Your liver transplant is doing well and your lung capacity is decreasing per your need for increased oxygen. Is this having a negative affect on your current way of life?
What does your liver transplant team say about your situation? Have they mentioned a possible lung transplant?

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Hello to Rosemary and all the members. Well my tummy is still swollen. My MRI said I have postoperative
Seromas which is collection of fluid under skin, mostly composed of blood plasma. I go to see my doctors at
The hospital this Wednesday and also meeting with the surgeon, why I don’t know....after what I was through
From the transplant and stayed in hospital for two months, I am very apprehensive and not to mention
Scared crap... I received my first vaccine , almost three weeks ago and due for my second early March.

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@jackie421blfdgurl, I will be thinking of you on Wednesday. I can understand your apprehension and fear due to your appointment with a surgeon. This must be especially bothersome, considering your recent transplant surgery and your lengthy hospitalization. I am glad that you will be getting an early opinion and treatment because of risk of an infection.
A year after my transplant, I had to return to Mayo for a surgical procedure. It was nothing like going thru a transplant surgery. Plus with my new organs, I was healthy and recovered quickly.

Here is some information that I found about Seromas
https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/symptoms-and-conditions/seroma
Keep in touch, and let me know what the surgeon tells you.

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@rosemarya

@jackie421blfdgurl, I will be thinking of you on Wednesday. I can understand your apprehension and fear due to your appointment with a surgeon. This must be especially bothersome, considering your recent transplant surgery and your lengthy hospitalization. I am glad that you will be getting an early opinion and treatment because of risk of an infection.
A year after my transplant, I had to return to Mayo for a surgical procedure. It was nothing like going thru a transplant surgery. Plus with my new organs, I was healthy and recovered quickly.

Here is some information that I found about Seromas
https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/symptoms-and-conditions/seroma
Keep in touch, and let me know what the surgeon tells you.

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Thank you for the information. I made notes to discuss with the doctors. They could drain with needles or make a hole and use a vacuum hose,I don’t care as long as I
Don’t see a room that says “surgery”. You r a wealth of information...a thousand thank you. Jackie

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@rosemarya

@jackie421blfdgurl, I will be thinking of you on Wednesday. I can understand your apprehension and fear due to your appointment with a surgeon. This must be especially bothersome, considering your recent transplant surgery and your lengthy hospitalization. I am glad that you will be getting an early opinion and treatment because of risk of an infection.
A year after my transplant, I had to return to Mayo for a surgical procedure. It was nothing like going thru a transplant surgery. Plus with my new organs, I was healthy and recovered quickly.

Here is some information that I found about Seromas
https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/symptoms-and-conditions/seroma
Keep in touch, and let me know what the surgeon tells you.

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Hello all....went to doctors appointment today and I don’t have a Sonoma....I have
A hernia I need surgery sometime at the end of April which will put me at my 6 mo.
Recovery.....oh well.....march onward.....that’s all we can do....

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@jackie421blfdgurl

Hello all....went to doctors appointment today and I don’t have a Sonoma....I have
A hernia I need surgery sometime at the end of April which will put me at my 6 mo.
Recovery.....oh well.....march onward.....that’s all we can do....

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@jackie421blfdgurl Well, it must be something of a relief to understand what is going on, right? It's not unusual to have a hernia with abdominal surgery. My husband had one repaired, I also did after getting my tubes tied in 1976.

Did your transplant team offer any guidance for care before the surgery in April?
Ginger

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@gingerw

@jackie421blfdgurl Well, it must be something of a relief to understand what is going on, right? It's not unusual to have a hernia with abdominal surgery. My husband had one repaired, I also did after getting my tubes tied in 1976.

Did your transplant team offer any guidance for care before the surgery in April?
Ginger

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Thanks Ginger for your opinion,
As of now I have to wear a girdle like band around my tummy, don't
Lift anything over 2lbs,massage the area, that's about it,they will address the medications closer to
Surgery..... that's all folks...have a good day

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