Breast Implants and Transplant Rescue Man with Lung Damage

Davey Bauer, a 34-year-old man, underwent a remarkable double lung transplant after his lungs were completely removed due to a severe bacterial infection. During the surgery, an "artificial lung" and breast implants were used as placeholders to support his heart. The innovative surgeries, devised by Dr. Ankit Bharat and his team at Northwestern Medicine, kept Bauer alive until donor lungs became available. The case demonstrates the potential of new technology to sustain patients without lungs and offers hope for future transplant candidates. Bauer, now recovering, hopes his story inspires others to quit smoking or vaping.