Liver Transplant
All About Living with a Liver Transplant
Going Home
Going home after a transplant although a happy occasion, may be accompanied by a significant level of anxiety for the first few weeks. Despite the potential problems, the majority of transplant patients return to a normal lifestyle and activity within three months. They work, have a family, raise children, play a useful role in the community and enjoy recreation.
Best Diet and Nutrition for Healthy Liver after Liver Transplant
You have been ill for a long time prior to your transplant and have probably lost a lot of weight. Therefore eating properly is an important part of your recovery process, and a healthy and balanced diet will help get you back on your feet again.
Your diet should include:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole-grain cereals and breads
- Low -fat milk and dairy products or other sources of calcium
- Lean meats, fish, poultry, or other sources of protein
Further recommendations:.
- Weigh yourself every day
- Avoid sugary snacks such as cakes and biscuits between meals. If you feel hungry, eat some fruit or vegetables (low in calories).
- Try to drink about 2 litres of fluid every day. This is good for your kidney and help remove waste products from your body. Bottled mineral water, herbal teas, pasteurised low-fat milk, and fruit juices are good.
- Always wash and peel fresh fruit
- Vegetables that grown in soil, eg potatoes, should always be peeled and cooked in boiling water. Cooking vegetables in a pressure cooker is a good way of saving the vitamin content. Do not eat raw vegetables, eg lettuce.
- Do not eat cheese made from unpasteurised milk and avoid cheeses with mould.
- Only buy small amounts of dairy products at one time so that you can eat them while they are still fresh
Salt (Sodium)
While on steroids, try to restrict your salt intake by:
- Using salt sparingly when cooking
- Trying not to add salt to cooked food or salad
- Avoiding salty foods, eg potato crisps, pickles and tinned food
Exercise
It is important to have daily exercise routine to build up your muscles weakened by a long of illness. You should slowly increase your levels of exercise. Cycling swimming, and walking are very useful for increasing your stamina and overall muscle tone, and all going well, you can also resume other sports three months after the operation.
Before starting on any exercise programme, remember to check with your transplant team.
Driving
It is not advisable to drive a car during the first four weeks following transplantation.
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are not recommended. Alcohol is broken down by the liver and can cause live damage.
Smoking
Stop smoking! Smoking is harmful to everyone’s health.
Sexual Activity
You may resume sexual activity as soon as you feel well enough. The majority of men regain their potency and most women find that their menstrual cycle returns to normal a few months after the operation.
Fertility
Many men have successfully fathered children after transplantation, and a large number of women have given birth to healthy children. Women should discuss their wish to start a family with their doctor or a member of the transplant team.
Normally, you should wait at least a year before becoming pregnant. Furthermore you should have good kidney function, be free of any illnesses which could endanger your or your baby’s health, and be receiving low dose immunosuppressive therapy.
Vacation
There is no reason why you should not enjoy traveling provided you use common sense. You should always take enough medication with you for the whole trip. Always leave an address where you can be contacted.
Household Pets
It is not normally recommended to have household pets because of the increased risk of infection.
Skin and Hair
Skin, Hair and Wellness products for you at Clinikally
FAQs
What is a living liver transplant?
A living liver transplant is a surgical procedure in which a portion of a healthy liver from a living donor is transplanted into a recipient suffering from end-stage liver disease. Unlike deceased donor transplants, which involve transplanting a whole liver, a living liver transplant uses only a part of the donor’s liver. The unique regenerative capacity of the liver allows both the donor’s liver and the recipient’s transplanted liver portion to grow back to normal size within a few months. This procedure provides a life-saving alternative for recipients, especially in regions where the waiting list for deceased donor livers is long due to organ shortages.
Who can be a living liver donor?
A living liver donor can be anyone who meets the required medical and ethical criteria, typically someone close to the recipient such as a family member (parents, siblings, or adult children) or a close friend.
Key eligibility criteria include:
- Age: Between 18 and 55 years.
- Blood type compatibility: The donor’s blood type should be compatible with the recipient’s.
- Good overall health: The donor should not have significant uncontrolled comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) and should be mentally and emotionally stable.
- Liver size: The donor’s liver must be large enough to safely donate a portion without impacting their health.
- Comprehensive medical evaluation: This includes detailed imaging (CT/MRI scans) to assess liver anatomy, liver function tests, blood tests, and psychological assessments to ensure the donor is mentally prepared.
The screening process ensures that donors can safely undergo the procedure without long-term health risks, and ethical protocols are strictly followed to protect the donor.
What are the benefits of a living liver transplant compared to a deceased donor transplant?
Living liver transplants offer significant advantages over deceased donor transplants:
- Reduced waiting time: The recipient can avoid long waiting lists, which is critical for those with rapidly deteriorating liver function.
- Scheduled surgery: The timing of the transplant can be planned, allowing for optimal conditions for both the donor and recipient.
- Improved graft function: Since the donor’s liver is from a living person, the transplanted portion is usually healthier and begins functioning immediately, often leading to quicker recovery.
- Better survival outcomes: Living donor liver transplants are associated with better short- and long-term outcomes than deceased donor transplants, as the liver is not subjected to prolonged ischemia (lack of blood supply).
How safe is the surgery for the living donor?
While living liver donation is generally safe, it is still a major surgery with inherent risks. Modern surgical techniques and rigorous preoperative evaluation minimize these risks, but potential complications include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Bile leakage
- Rare complications: In very rare cases, more serious complications such as liver failure or death can occur. However, these risks are less than 1% in experienced centers. Donors are closely monitored post-operatively to ensure a smooth recovery. The liver’s regenerative capacity allows most donors to regain full liver size within months.
How long does it take to recover from a living liver transplant?
The recovery process for living liver donors typically takes about 6 to 12 weeks. In the immediate post-surgical period, donors may experience pain, fatigue, and limited mobility. Most can return to light activities and desk jobs within 4 to 6 weeks. Full recovery, including resuming strenuous activities, may take up to 3 months. The long-term prognosis for donors is excellent, with most regaining full health and liver function.
What are the success rates for living liver transplants?
Living liver transplants generally have excellent success rates. Current studies show:
- One-year survival rate: Over 90% for recipients.
- Five-year survival rate: Between 75% and 85%, depending on factors such as the recipient’s overall health, the underlying liver disease, and post-operative care. The success of living liver transplants is attributed to the donor liver’s high quality, shorter transplantation time, and improved surgical techniques.
Are there any risks for the recipient of a living liver transplant?
While living liver transplants are typically successful, recipients may still face some risks, including:
- Bile duct complications: Bile leakage or stricture can occur, though these are often treatable.
- Infections and bleeding: Common surgical risks.
- Graft rejection: The recipient’s immune system may attack the transplanted liver, but this is managed with immunosuppressive medications.
- Liver regeneration issues: In rare cases, the transplanted liver may not regenerate as expected, leading to complications.
However, with advancements in surgical techniques, immunosuppressive therapies, and post-operative care, the risk of serious complications has been greatly reduced, making living liver transplants a reliable and safe treatment option for liver failure patients.
