Transplant Talk: Weight Loss and Weight Gain

Do the weight requirements for lung transplant have you feeling down? You are not alone! Regardless of if you need to lose weight, gain weight, or maintain your weight, we’ve got some helpful tips and tricks for you. Watch and learn from expert speaker Cory Zenner, RD CD as he describes the ins and outs of weight gain and weight loss including the role of diet, exercise, psycho-social components, tube feeding, and pharmaceutical support for either appetite stimulation or appetite suppression. You’ll also hear from two lung transplant recipients about their personal challenges and triumphs with weight loss and weight gain throughout their transplant journeys. You won’t want to miss this important Transplant Talk filled with helpful information you can use to achieve the weight you need to be listed for transplant, and optimize your health through weight maintenance afterwards.  

Our expert speaker, Cory Zenner, RD CD has over 10 years of experience educating patients and advocating for people living with chronic illness. As a Registered Dietitian at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Cory provides expert nutritional care and support to people living with advanced kidney and lung diseases. This includes health optimization prior to solid organ transplant as well as post-surgical rehabilitation and long-term health maintenance. He believes that the most rewarding aspect of his work is using the power of food to help people feel their best while navigating complex medical care. 

Mr. Zenner is joined by two lung transplant recipient speakers who will discuss their personal experiences with weight loss and weight gain. Our first recipient speaker is Ginny Fagerstrom, a 52 year old Alaska Native living in Wasilla Alaska, and a married mom of three.  In December 2018, Ginny received a double lung transplant due to severe pulmonary hypertension caused by PCH (pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis). She loves to travel and to be creative with sewing, beading, and the fiber arts. 

Our second patient speaker, Shannon Hendricks, underwent a Double Lung Transplant in January 2019 due to Cystic Fibrosis. She now resides in Rochester, Minnesota to stay close to the Mayo Clinic, while working part-time. A former small business owner in the tech industry and once an avid gardener, Shannon also has a passion for rescuing dogs. In addition, she is the primary caregiver for her husband.

With the right information and support, you can achieve your personal weight goals!

Recorded Thursday, November 21, 2024.