Liver transplant

A liver transplant may be the best — and perhaps only — treatment option for someone whose liver no longer functions well enough to keep them alive. This may include patients with:

• Acute liver failure
• Alcoholic liver disease
• Chronic liver failure (cirrhosis)
• Hepatitis B or C
• Liver cancer

While every patient who undergoes a liver transplant will have a unique experience post-transplant based on a number of factors, in general liver transplantation patients may expect 3 to 6 months or more of recovery time before feeling fully healed. Recovery from liver transplant may include:

• A few days in the intensive care unit (ICU) immediately after surgery.
• An additional 5 to 10 days recuperating in the hospital’s transplant recovery area.
• A follow-up appointment schedule created by your transplant team for after you return home, which may include blood tests.
• Medications, including those that keep your immune system from attacking your new liver and some that reduce the risk of other complications post-transplant. Some of these medications will need to be taken for the rest of your life.

Your transplant team will provide you with full instructions and support to help you recover after your surgery, but here are a few helpful tips to help you get started.*

• Talk to others: Join a support group, share your experiences on social media or connect with a friend who understands what you might be going through. Your emotional and mental well-being is just as important — and closely associated with — your physical health.
• Be kind to yourself: Set realistic expectations for your life after transplant and reach out for help if needed. Medical City Dallas’ comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services include physical and occupational therapy, nutrition counseling and much more.
• Eat healthy: Avoid grapefruit/grapefruit juice (it interferes with some immunosuppressants). Choose fruits and vegetables, an adequate amount of fiber, whole grains, lean meats and low- or fat-free dairy. Drink lots of water.
• Stay active: Walking is a great exercise to begin soon after your transplant. Other activities, such as swimming, bicycling and low-impact strength training, can help boost your fitness and mood.

*Check with your transplant team or physician before making any changes to your diet or beginning a new exercise program.

Liver failure is a life-threatening condition that requires urgent, specialized medical care. It occurs when a large part of the liver becomes damaged and is no longer able to function. Liver failure may come on suddenly (acute) or develop slowly over a period of time (chronic).

Symptoms of liver failure may include:

• Jaundice (yellowish skin and eyes)
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pain and swelling, nausea
• Chronic fatigue
• Changes in urine or stool color
• Itchy skin
• Swelling in the lower extremities (legs or ankles)

Patients with severe liver failure may become confused, disoriented and extremely sleepy. They may bruise or bleed easily. Because this condition carries a risk of coma and death, immediate emergency medical treatment is essential. It’s possible that a liver transplant may be the only treatment option available.

Liver transplantation should be considered for patients with life-threatening liver disease. The medical experts, social workers and financial specialists at the Medical City Transplant Institute – Center for Liver Diseases in Dallas are always available to answer questions about our liver transplant services.