Woman's Reason For Not Going Out in Public For Year Goes Viral—'So Strict'

A woman has captured attention online after explaining why she hasn't gone out in public for 12 months—and shared what she was most excited to do on her return to normality.

In a now-viral video, TikTok user Marina (@elvislover1973) explained that she hasn't been able to go about her normal life and socialize following her double lung transplant in June 2023.

Although not everyone receives the same advice, Marina says was recommended to "stay out of public crowded spaces" for a year following the operation. Newsweek has contacted Marina for comment.

While her friends and family have been going about their normal lives, Marina has had to miss out on countless shopping trips, meals out, and vacations to avoid getting sick.

In the video, Marina explained: "The role is to make sure I don't get sick because getting sick within the first year is kind of like crucial. The goal of the whole thing is to make my whole life as long as possible with new lungs, so you know, you don't want to do anything that can shorten it."

The idea of staying out of public life for a whole 12 months has astounded plenty of social media users, leading to nearly 1 million views and more than 62,000 likes since the video was posted on TikTok.

The recovery time for such a serious surgery will depend on the individual, and rejection is most likely to occur within the first 12 months.

The Cleveland Clinic notes that the majority of people can return to work or school after four to six months. It can usually take between three and six months for lung function to stabilize, and at this point, the risk of acute rejection decreases.

It is unclear why Marina was advised to stay out of public life for so long, but that isn't the standard practice for most transplant recipients, according to Dr. Kapilkumar Patel of Tampa General Hospital's Transplant Institute.

As the Medical Director of the Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant Center, Dr. Kapilkumar told Newsweek that most patients resume their everyday life within three months of surgery, which includes driving, routine exercises and so on. Nonetheless, it's important that they are still "mindful about their surroundings."

He continued: "We urge patients to be smart about avoiding restaurants at peak hours, and postponing visits with family and friends if anyone is exhibiting symptoms of viral illness.

"If these patients are exposed to viral illnesses and contract them, this could potentially lead to lung graft injury or total rejection of the transplanted lungs. For these reasons, in addition to being mindful, we also ask our patients to wear a mask for the first year post-surgery and to try to be diligent about minimizing risks."

Dr. Kapilkumar says it's not required for patients to isolate after transplant surgery, but it is vital that they "exercise caution" for the sake of their long-term health.

Fortunately for Marina, her 12 months were finally up on June 1, and she has been documenting her travels and experiences ever since. She has delighted her followers with updates on her numerous shopping trips, trips to Dunkin' Donuts, and going to the beach with friends.

She may not have been "allowed in public" for a year of her life, but Marina is certainly making up for it now and seems to be enjoying every moment.

Since sharing the video explaining why she couldn't attend any crowded public spaces, the TikTok post has amassed over 260 comments so far. Many people were amazed by how stringent she has been throughout the 12 months, while others shared their excitement to finally see her out again.

One comment reads: "This seems so strict, I never did this, except for like concerts or thousands of people."

Another person wrote: "So happy for you I can't imagine how hard it's been."

While another TikTok user commented: "I just know your donor is smiling with every breath you take. So proud you actually stuck to doing what was needed to ensure they stay healthy."

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