A liver transplant is an operation that removes a liver that is no longer functioning properly and replaces it with a healthy liver from a deceased donor or part of a healthy liver from a living donor.

Kidney transplant

Liver transplantation is a treatment option for people with end-stage chronic liver disease with significant complications. Liver transplantation may also be a treatment option when a previously healthy liver develops a sudden failure, such as acute hepatitis or poisoning.

Why is a Kidney Transplant Performed?

Receiving part of the liver from a living donor is an alternative to waiting for the deceased donor liver to become available. Liver transplantation from a living donor is possible because the human liver regenerates and returns to its normal size shortly after surgical removal of part of the organ. People who donate part of their liver can lead a healthy life with the remaining liver.

– Better quality of life – Lower risk of death – Fewer dietary restrictions – Lower treatment costs – Better quality of life – Severe heart disease – Active or recently treated cancer – Dementia or poorly controlled mental illness – Alcohol or drug use – All other factors that may affect the ability to safely undergo the procedure to prevent organ rejection and to receive the medications needed after transplantation – Learn about the number and type of transplants the centre performs each year. – Ask about the transplant centre’s kidney transplant survival rates – Compare transplant centre statistics through the database provided by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients – Find out if the centre offers different donation programmes that may increase your chances of receiving a living donor kidney. – Expenses before, during and after the transplant. Costs, tests, organ harvesting, surgery, hospital stays and travel to the centre for procedures and follow-up appointments and returns. – Other services provided by the transplant centre, such as support groups, travel arrangements, referrals to local housing and other resources during recovery. – The Centre’s commitment to keep up with the latest transplant technology and techniques, demonstrating the growth of the programme.

Living Kidney Donation

When your liver fails, it cannot perform these functions and you will suffer from jaundice, ascites, oedema and bleeding. A liver transplant will reverse the process and you will feel healthy again.

Spend a few days a week in hospital. Doctors and nurses monitor your condition in the transplant recovery area of the hospital to watch for signs of complications. Your new kidney will urinate as your own kidneys did when you were healthy. Most of the time this starts straight away. In other people it may take a few days and you may need temporary dialysis until your new kidneys start working properly. Expect aches and pains as the incision heals at the site. Most kidney transplant recipients can return to work and other normal activities within eight weeks after transplant. Avoid any exercise other than lifting objects heavier than 10 pounds or walking until the wound has healed (usually about six weeks after surgery). Do check-ups . After you leave the hospital, close monitoring is necessary for several weeks to check how well your new kidney is working and to make sure your body is not rejecting it. You may need to have blood tests several times a week and adjust your medication in the weeks following your transplant. During this time, you may need to make arrangements to stay near the transplant centre if you live in another city. You will take several medicines after your kidney transplant. Immunosuppressive drugs help prevent your immune system from attacking and rejecting your new kidney. Additional medicines help reduce the risk of other complications after transplantation, such as infection.