Preparing for Liver Transplant

Preparing for a liver transplant is an important part of your transplant journey. When you prepare carefully, it can help improve your recovery, support your long-term transplant success and allow you to feel more confident going into surgery.

The preparation phase focuses on being medically ready for transplant, getting the emotional support you need and planning so you are ready when a donor liver is available.

Medical preparation

Before liver transplant surgery, you will complete medical testing and evaluations to make sure you are eligible and ready for transplant.

Your preparation steps may include:

• Blood tests to monitor your liver function and overall health
• Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT or MRI to evaluate your liver
• Watching for and managing any complications related to your liver disease
• Heart and lung testing to make sure these organs are healthy enough for surgery
• Screening for infections and other health concerns
• Controlling diabetes and high blood pressure to lower your risk of surgical complications
• Reviewing your medications
• Evaluations by other medical specialists that your transplant team determines would be helpful on your transplant journey

Lifestyle guidelines

It is important that you work to stay as healthy as possible before liver transplant surgery.   Avoiding tobacco, alcohol and other substances is extremely important as part of your transplant readiness.

Good nutrition

People who maintain good nutrition throughout the transplant journey generally have fewer complications, spend less time on a ventilator after surgery and recover more quickly. Good nutrition may include:

• Eating high-protein foods, since protein helps your body rebuild muscle and tissue
• Reducing sodium to keep fluid from building up in your belly and legs
• Working with a transplant nutritionist to make sure you’re meeting your dietary needs
• In some cases, you may require the need of feeding tubes to assist and supplement your nutritional needs

Healthy body weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is important when you are preparing for a liver transplant. Your transplant nutritionist can support you and offer resources that can help you manage your weight appropriately. At a healthier weight:

• You have a lower risk of complications
• You are more likely to leave the hospital sooner
• You are less likely to get an infection at the incision site
• The immunosuppressive medications you take after transplant work better

Other steps

You can help protect your liver health by:

• Staying physically active as much as you can
• Controlling your blood sugar
• Avoiding alcohol, smoking, recreational drugs and other substances that can harm the liver

Additional preparation considerations

When you’re preparing for a liver transplant, you also need to do some practical planning. Your care team may ask you to:

• Choose a caregiver or support person who can help you before and after surgery
• Make plans for transportation, time away from work and daily responsibilities
• Review your insurance coverage and transplant-related costs with financial counselors
• Keep your medical records and contact information organized
• Make sure you attend all scheduled appointments

It’s a good idea to have a travel bag packed and ready with clothes, shoes, personal hygiene items, a 24-hour supply of your medications, insurance information, books, journals, a phone charger and other items you may want during your hospital stay.

When a liver is available, you will need to have transplant surgery right away. Having these plans and items in place helps reduce stress.

Being financially prepared

You may want to consider fundraising to help offset the expenses you’ll face while waiting for a transplant and after your transplant. Expenses may include:

• Transportation
• Lodging
• Meals
• Caregiver expenses
• Insurance premiums and copays
• Childcare
• Lost wages

Education and support before surgery

Education and emotional support are important ways you can prepare for liver transplant. Your care team will share information with you and your caregivers, so you understand:

• How the transplant process works
• What medications and follow-up care you’ll need
• The lifestyle changes you’ll need to have in place after your transplant

Services may include counseling, education sessions, written guides and video resources. These tools help you and your family feel informed and supported throughout the transplant process.

Planning for surgery and recovery

When a donor liver is available, your surgery will probably happen quickly. Before then, it’s a good idea to:

• Prepare for early recovery and follow-up appointments
• Plan for medication management and home care

On surgery day, you should expect to:

• Have blood tests, a review of your health history and a physical exam to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery
• Sign consent forms
• Meet with the anesthesiologist

While the team is preparing you for surgery, a transplant surgeon will remove and prepare the donor liver.

For the surgery, you will have general anesthesia. Then the surgical team will connect you to a breathing machine, remove your liver and replace it with the donor liver. Your care team can explain exactly how the surgical process works.

Next steps

Once you are medically ready, the transplant team keeps monitoring your health while you wait for your transplant. They also provide ongoing education and preparation during this time.

Related resources

• Liver transplant qualifications
• After a liver transplant
• Liver transplant FAQs