Stem Cell Therapy for Pulmonary Fibrosis in Dallas

Innovations Stem Cell Center was named a “Top Stem Cell Therapy Treatments Company” by Life Sciences Review (2025 and 2026). If you or someone you love has pulmonary fibrosis, you know how much it changes daily life: getting winded on the stairs, planning outings around oxygen, a cough that won’t quit. Many people who call us have been told there isn’t much more to try beyond medication, oxygen and, for some, a transplant evaluation. Stem cell therapy using your own fat-derived cells is an option some patients choose to explore alongside the care they already get from their pulmonologist. Your cells are given back two ways: by IV, and by nebulizer so you breathe some of them in. Acoustic wave therapy (AWT) is used on the area where the fat was harvested, not on the lungs. The treatment is outpatient, done under local anesthesia, and takes about 4 hours. The first treatment is $16,500; follow-up treatments are $10,000. In our clinic’s internal patient data, about 80% of pulmonary fibrosis patients reported improvement.* Individual results vary. The FDA has not approved the use of adult stem cells/SVF for any disorder, including pulmonary fibrosis. Call (972) 893-9849 or schedule a consultation.

Living With Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis means scarring of the lung tissue. The scarring makes the lungs stiffer, so it’s harder to take a full breath and harder for oxygen to get into the blood. In many people the cause isn’t known (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF); in others it’s linked to autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma, workplace exposures, certain medications or radiation. It usually gets worse over time, at a different pace for each person. Prescription antifibrotic medications can slow the decline for many patients, and oxygen, pulmonary rehab and transplant evaluation are part of standard care. Learn more about interstitial lung disease causes and symptoms.

What Stem Cell Therapy Can and Can’t Do for Pulmonary Fibrosis

We want to be straightforward with you. Stem cell therapy does not remove scar tissue from the lungs, and it isn’t a replacement for your medications, oxygen or your pulmonologist. Stem cells from fat are studied for their effects on inflammation and the immune system, which researchers believe play a role in fibrosis. Some of our patients report easier breathing, more energy or being able to do more of their daily activities after treatment. Others notice little change. In our clinic’s internal patient data (patient-reported, not a clinical trial), about 80% of pulmonary fibrosis patients reported improvement.* Individual results vary.

Why We Use Your Own Fat-Derived Cells

Fat is a rich source of adult stem cells, and using your own cells means there’s no donor tissue involved. We remove about 2 to 3 tablespoons of fat with a small syringe under local anesthesia; even slender patients usually have enough. Read more about adipose-derived stem cells.

Your Treatment Day: IV and Nebulizer

1. Arrive and settle in. We plan the day around your oxygen needs and energy; bring your portable oxygen.
2. Fat harvest. Dr. Bill Johnson removes a small amount of fat under local anesthesia, with no general anesthesia and no breathing tube.
3. Processing. Your cells are separated in our Dallas lab (about 2 hours) while you rest.
4. IV dose. Part of your cells is given back through an IV.
5. Nebulizer. The rest of your cells are breathed in through a hand-held nebulizer.
6. Acoustic wave therapy. Our medical staff apply AWT to the fat harvest area (not the lungs).

The whole visit takes about 3 to 4 hours, and you leave the same day with a small bandage.

Who May Be a Candidate?

People with early or more advanced pulmonary fibrosis are often candidates. Using oxygen, even full-time, or being on a lung transplant list doesn’t by itself rule you out: if you’re well enough to travel to our office, you can usually be treated. Stem cell therapy doesn’t replace transplant evaluation; stay in touch with your transplant team. Active cancer or an active infection usually rules out treatment, and blood thinners may need to be adjusted beforehand. Bring your recent CT scan, pulmonary function tests and medication list to your consultation, and Dr. Johnson will review your case before you decide.

Working With Your Pulmonologist

Keep taking your prescribed medications and keep your regular appointments. Stem cell therapy is something patients add alongside their usual care, not a replacement for it. We’re happy to share your treatment records with your pulmonologist.

Cost of Stem Cell Therapy for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Treatment	Price
First treatment (evaluation, harvest, processing, IV and nebulizer delivery, AWT on the harvest area, follow-up care)	$16,500
Follow-up treatment, if you and Dr. Johnson decide on one	$10,000

Stem cell therapy for pulmonary fibrosis is not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. Financing is available; contact us and we’ll help you apply.

Traveling to Dallas for Treatment

Many of our pulmonary patients travel from out of state. Our team helps with scheduling around flights, complimentary hotel stays at nearby partner hotels, and pre-treatment lab work. Plan for one treatment day and travel home the next morning. See our Pulmonary Regenerative Medicine Center for travel details.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stem Cell Therapy for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Can stem cell therapy help pulmonary fibrosis?

Some patients report easier breathing, more energy or better ability to do daily activities after treatment, while others notice little change. In our clinic’s internal patient data, about 80% of pulmonary fibrosis patients reported improvement.* Stem cell therapy does not remove lung scarring, is not FDA-approved for pulmonary fibrosis, and doesn’t replace your medications or pulmonologist. Individual results vary.

How much does stem cell therapy for pulmonary fibrosis cost?

At Innovations Stem Cell Center in Dallas, the first treatment is $16,500 and follow-up treatments are $10,000. Financing is available.

Does Medicare cover stem cell therapy for pulmonary fibrosis?

No. Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance do not cover stem cell therapy for pulmonary fibrosis. It is a cash-pay treatment, and financing is available.

How are the stem cells given for lung disease?

Your own fat-derived cells are given back by IV and by a hand-held nebulizer that you breathe through. Acoustic wave therapy is used on the fat harvest area, not the lungs. The visit takes about 3 to 4 hours, under local anesthesia.

Can I be treated if I’m on oxygen?

Yes. Using oxygen, even full-time, doesn’t by itself rule you out. If you’re well enough to travel to our office, you can usually be treated. Bring your portable oxygen, recent CT scan and breathing tests.

Can I be treated if I’m on a lung transplant list?

Yes, if you’re well enough to travel to our office. Stem cell therapy doesn’t replace transplant evaluation, so keep your transplant team informed.

Should I stop my pulmonary fibrosis medications?

No. Keep taking the medications your pulmonologist prescribed. Stem cell therapy is used alongside your usual care, not instead of it.

Is pulmonary fibrosis the same as cystic fibrosis?

No. Pulmonary fibrosis is scarring of the lung tissue, usually in adults. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects mucus in the lungs and other organs. We have a separate page on cystic fibrosis.

Talk With Our Team

Have questions about whether treatment makes sense for you or a family member? Call (972) 893-9849 or schedule a consultation. Many patients report improvement. Individual results vary. *Based on Innovations Stem Cell Center internal patient-reported outcomes; individual results vary.