During a liver transplant, a liver that no longer functions properly (liver failure) is replaced with a healthy liver from a deceased donor or a portion of a healthy liver from a living donor. Recovering from a liver transplant can be a long process, but most people will eventually be able to return to most of their normal activities and have a good quality of life. Patients will be able to start gradually building up their activities after a few weeks, but full recovery can take up to a year.
Patients will need to return for regular appointments after being released from the hospital post-op. During the first 2-3 months, weekly checkups are needed. Afterward, appointments will be every few months, and then once a year.
What are the possible complications after a liver transplant?
There are some potential complications of liver transplant you’ll need to be aware of, which may happen during recovery. These surgery complications include:
Infections
In two-thirds of those undergoing a liver transplant, infection can occur. The immunosuppressant medicines you are taking make it much harder for your body to fight them off. Your medical team needs to find and treat the infection quickly. In case of experiencing symptoms of fever and shivers contact your doctor. You might be given antibiotics or other medicines to stop you from getting an infection in the first place.
Bile duct problems (biliary complications)
The joint between the two bile ducts (the duct coming out of the donor liver and your duct) may leak. Or scar tissue may cause a narrowing around the ducts and affect the flow of bile. This is called a biliary stricture. They can usually be treated during an endoscopy so most people won’t need surgery.
Disease recurrence
Even after receiving a liver transplant, your liver disease may come back and damage your new liver. Your type of liver disease will determine the chance of this happening. If it can’t be treated, you may need to have another liver transplant.
Rejection
Your body might attack your new liver because it’s not a part of you. Your immunosuppression medicines help stop this from happening. It’s important to remember that rejection isn’t all or nothing. If your body starts to reject your liver this can usually be stopped. So it’s important to tell your team straight away if you think something is wrong.
How’s life after liver transplant surgery?
Medicines (immunosuppressants)
You’ll be given medicines called immunosuppressants for the rest of your life to stop your body from attacking and damaging your new liver. Risks of immunosuppressants include:
Increased risk of infections
Kidney problems
Increased risk of some types of cancer, such as skin cancer
Food & Diet
Patients will need to maintain a balanced diet after a liver transplant surgery to stay healthy. This special diet may need an extra dietitian.
Alcohol
Depending on the reason you needed a liver transplant, you may not be allowed to drink alcohol. If the previous problem with your liver was caused by alcohol misuse, you are advised not to drink alcohol again. It may also be a good idea not to drink alcohol even if your liver problem is not alcohol-related, although in some cases it may be fine to do so in moderation.
Exercise
Patients should get plenty of rest when they first come home from the hospital. As you feel up to it, start with gentle activities such as walking, and gradually increase your activities. Avoid contact sports and swimming for several months until you have fully recovered, as there's a risk of picking up an injury or infection.
Sex & Pregnancy
You can start having sex again as soon as you feel physically and emotionally ready. Most women can get pregnant after a liver transplant, but they should avoid becoming pregnant for at least a year, talk to their transplant team before planning a pregnancy, and contact their GP or transplant team in case they become pregnant at any point. Your medicine may need to be changed and you may need extra monitoring if you become pregnant after having a liver transplant.
Driving
Patients need to avoid driving for up to 2 months post-op. This is because the transplant procedure and immunosuppressant medicine can affect your vision, reaction times, and ability to perform emergency stops.
Going back to work
Depending on your job and how your body is recovering, it may vary when you can go back to work. Some people can return to work after 3 months, although others may need more time off.
Conclusion
In conclusion, life after liver transplant surgery is a journey of recovery and adaptation. The surgery, which replaces a failing liver with a healthy one, often requires a hospital stay of about a week. Post-surgery, patients typically need several months to recover, with full recovery taking anywhere from six months to a year. During this time, patients will have numerous medical appointments critical to their health. They will also need to take immunosuppressant medications for the rest of their lives to prevent their body from rejecting the new liver. Despite the challenges, liver transplant surgery can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with severe liver disease. However, it’s important to note that recovery times can vary greatly depending on the individual’s overall health and the severity of their liver disease prior to the transplant.
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