A liver transplant is a procedure where surgeons replace your damaged or failing liver with a healthy liver. You may need a liver transplant if your liver can no longer perform its functions and support your body’s vital processes.
A liver transplant may help you if you have advanced liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver (with its associated complications), liver failure or some types of liver cancer, especially if medications and other treatments are no longer able to manage the symptoms related to these conditions.
Learn more about liver transplant eligibility and evaluation.
At Banner Health, we provide liver transplant surgery using livers from deceased donors.
In most situations, the entire liver of the decease donor will be used by the surgeon during a liver transplant. However, there are rare situations in which a donor liver may be divided and only a portion of the liver used or it may be split between two transplant recipients. Your transplant team will explain which approach they recommend for you.
If you have liver disease, it’s important to begin the transplant evaluation process early, before you develop any other health complications. The health of your liver and your overall health both play a role in whether you qualify for a liver transplant.
A team of specialists will review your medical history and health and perform testing to see if you are a good candidate and if transplantation is in your best interest.
If you are approved as an appropriate candidate for liver transplantation, you’ll be added to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) list. People on this list are prioritized based on their Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. This score is calculated using results from your blood tests and it can change as your condition changes. This scoring ensures that the sickest patients are prioritize to receive transplants first.
While you’re on the transplant waiting list, your care team will provide you and your family with personalized education, care and resources. They will monitor your health until a donor liver becomes available.
Learn more about the liver transplant qualification process.
Once you are selected to receive a donor liver, you will need to go to the hospital right away.
Liver transplant surgery is a complex procedure. With it, you need specialized care before, during and after surgery. Most people spend 7-10 days in the hospital after surgery, recovering and being closely monitored by the transplant team.
You will continue to recover after you leave the hospital. Your transplant team will provide support and education so you know how to care for yourself at home.
You will need to take medications for the rest of your life to help prevent organ rejection. You will also need to make lifestyle changes and attend regular follow-up visits to check your liver health and how well you are recovering.
After recovering from a liver transplant, you should be able to return to work, everyday tasks and activities you enjoy. Time of recovery will vary for each patient.
Learn more about recovery and long-term care after a liver transplant.
At Banner Health, we offer comprehensive, coordinated liver transplant care provided by experienced specialists:
Learn more about Banner Health’s liver transplant program.
At Banner Health, liver transplant services are part of our advanced liver care program in Phoenix. Availability, referral processes and evaluation pathways may vary. Your care team can offer guidance based on your needs.
If you or a loved one may need a liver transplant, explore these resources to learn more:
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