Division of Respirology

Department of Medicine

After your Lung Transplant

Welcome home, and congratulations on your transplant.

Receiving a lung transplant is a major milestone, but it's only one part of your journey. After your transplant, the Nova Scotia Lung Transplant Program will continue to support your care once you return to Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island. We work closely with your transplant centre to coordinate your follow-up care, monitor your recovery, and help you stay healthy for years to come.

Returning home

Our transplant nurse will typically contact you approximately two months after your transplant to help you transition your care back to the Nova Scotia Lung Transplant Program.

If you have not heard from us by that time, please contact our clinic.

Your follow-up care

Regular follow-up appointments are an important part of your long-term care after a lung transplant. These appointments allow your healthcare team to monitor your recovery, assess your lung function, and identify any concerns as early as possible.

Your follow-up schedule will generally include appointments with both your transplant centre and the Nova Scotia Lung Transplant Program.

Appointment Schedule

Time Since Transplant

Nova Scotia Clinic

 Transplant Centre Blood Work Breathing Tests
Year 1 Every 3 months Every 3 months Monthly Monthly
Year 2 Every 6 months Every 6 months Every 3 months Every 3 months
After 2 years Every 6 months Yearly Every 3 months Every 3 months

Your follow-up schedule may be adjusted based on your individual needs.

The Nova Scotia Lung Transplant Program will see you in person at least once each year. If you are doing well, some follow-up appointments may be offered virtually, alternating with your in-person visits.

Blood Work

Regular blood work helps us monitor your health and ensure your transplant medications continue to work safely and effectively.

Patients are responsible for booking their own routine blood work appointments.

If you require urgent blood work and are unable to obtain an appointment, please contact our clinic and we will help arrange one.

Breathing Tests

Breathing tests are an important part of monitoring your lung function after transplant.

Our clinic will generally arrange your breathing tests unless you have let us know that you prefer to book them yourself.

If you miss a scheduled breathing test, please contact the breathing laboratory to reschedule. If you are unable to reach the lab, our clinic can help.

Medications

The Nova Scotia Lung Transplant Program will prescribe and renew all medications related to your transplant.

For medications unrelated to your transplant, please continue to work with your family physician or nurse practitioner.

If you do not currently have a primary care provider, we encourage you to register with the Nova Scotia Need a Family Practice Registry. In the meantime, care is available through walk-in clinics, virtual care services, and emergency departments when appropriate.

Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate are provided through the Victoria General Outpatient Pharmacy unless you have private insurance, in which case you may be able to obtain them through your community pharmacy.

Contact information for the Victoria General Outpatient Pharmacy will be added here.

Travel Funding

The Nova Scotia Government provides funding to help eligible patients travel to Toronto for follow-up care during the first year after transplant.

Funding for travel beyond the first year is considered on a case-by-case basis. Requests must be submitted through the Nova Scotia Lung Transplant Program and approved by the Province of Nova Scotia.

 

If you're feeling unwell

If you develop new symptoms or become unwell, please contact the Nova Scotia Lung Transplant Program as soon as possible.

Our team can review your symptoms and help determine the most appropriate next steps.