A liver transplant can be life changing. It may give you a chance to feel better and live longer. While the transplant surgery itself is a major milestone, it will take time for you to recover and you’ll need to be committed to your care.
Here’s more about what you and your family can expect after liver transplant surgery, from the hospital stay through long-term follow-up.
During a liver transplant, specialized surgeons remove your liver and place the donor liver in the same place. The procedure usually takes four to six hours, but in complex situations it may take longer.
After liver transplant surgery, you will recover in the hospital under close medical supervision. Your recovery will begin in the intensive care unit (ICU).
When you wake up, you may still have a tube in your mouth and throat (connected to a breathing machine to help you breathe) until you are stable and able to breathe on your own. You will have one or more intravenous (IV) tubes for fluids and medication. You will have drains that remove fluid from around your new liver and you may have a stent in your bile duct while it heals.
Once you are stable, you will move out of the ICU and into a transplant unit so you can build your strength and independence.
Different types of pain control medications will help you manage pain after surgery. Most people find that the pain decreases a lot in the first two weeks of recovery. Your transplant team will work with you to manage your pain.
To help you recover and reduce your risk of complications, your care team will encourage you to get out of bed and walk as soon as it is safe for you to do so. Early movement can help lower the risk of blood clots, lung infections and digestive problems. They will also encourage you to cough, use a spirometer (a device to determine how well your lungs are working) and take deep breaths to help lower your risk of pneumonia.
During your hospital stay, your care team will monitor you closely for signs of possible complications, such as infection, rejection or surgical issues.
Before discharge, you and your caregiver will receive education and planning support, such as:
The length of the hospital stay varies depending on how quickly you recover and how well your new liver works. It’s often 7-10 days, depending on factors like:
Most people go home after liver transplantation but some need to go to an acute rehabilitation facility to continue their recovery. After surgery, you'll need to stay near your transplant center for follow-up appointments, typically for one month but possibly up to three months.
After a liver transplant, you will need to take medications every day for the rest of your life to help prevent your body from rejecting the new liver. These are called immunosuppressive (anti-rejection) medications. Taking your medication as directed is the best way to prevent your body from rejecting your new liver.
You may be prescribed medications such as:
Depending on the anti-rejection medications you take, side effects may include:
Taking your medications exactly as prescribed is important for protecting your transplanted liver and maintaining your long-term health. Your care team will explain how and when to take medications safely and how to watch for side effects. They will adjust your doses if needed.
You may also need medication to prevent or treat health issues that may be more common after liver transplant, such as:
After your liver transplant, you will need ongoing care to help you stay as healthy as possible. You will have regular follow-up appointments and lab tests to monitor your liver function and overall health. Your transplant team will guide you through each stage of follow-up care.
In the first months after your liver transplant, you’ll have frequent appointments. As you recover and stabilize, you won’t need to have as many visits.
Your long-term care also includes lifestyle changes to help keep your liver healthy, such as:
Adjusting emotionally and physically after a liver transplant takes time. You might notice a range of emotions as you recover and return to daily life. Support resources that can help include counseling, peer support groups and education for you and your caregiver.
After you recover from liver transplant surgery, you may be able to return to work, school and everyday activities and enjoy an improved quality of life.
It’s important to stay in close contact with your transplant team after surgery.
Contact your care team if you have:
Your transplant team can help figure out what adjustments or care you might need.
After a liver transplant, you will be in a partnership with your care team for the rest of your life. Working together in your follow-up care helps keep you and your transplanted liver healthy.
For additional information, visit:
Sign in to Patient Account
