Davey Bauer made history at Northwestern Medicine when he received a double lung transplant aided by a pair of DD breast implants. Bauer initially thought of himself as healthy, despite being a former smoker and a current vaper. When he was diagnosed with a lung infection that proved resistant to antibiotics, he entered a medically induced coma as his condition worsened. SLU Hospital refused to perform a lung transplant due to his poor prognosis, but Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute agreed to attempt the transplant. A pair of DD breast implants was used to stabilize his heart during the surgery, and after successful lung transplants, he is now recovering. Bauer’s experience serves as a warning to others about the health risks of vaping and the dangers of flu infections.
Dr. Rade Tomic of Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute hopes that Bauer’s unique procedure can be used again in the future, potentially helping other patients who need lung transplants but are too sick to receive new organs immediately. Bauer was discharged from Northwestern Memorial Hospital in late September, but will remain in Chicago for outpatient care as he continues his recovery. This unique history-making surgery will ultimately lead to changes in the future medical field.
