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What is liver transplantation?                                                                                     Top
Liver transplantation is the surgery to remove a diseased liver and replace it with a healthy one.  
   
What causes liver failure?

There can be a number of reasons, but most common ones in Pakistan are:

  • Hepatitis B & C
  • Auto-Immune Hepatitis
  • Cirrhosis
  • Alcoholic Cirrhosis
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  
   
Who's eligible for a transplant? Top
To get the surgery, your current liver has to be damaged by illness or injury. You also need to have a relative or friend who's willing to donate part of their liver to you.  
   
What are the risks?  
The surgery can have risks like bleeding and infection. Your body might also reject the new organ. Your doctor will give you medicines to prevent this, but those drugs can make you more likely to get infections or cancer. If you still have the disease that caused your liver to fail, it could also damage your new liver.  
   
When is transplant necessary?  

A liver transplant is necessary when:

  • Cancer has developed in the liver
  • Kidney has started failing as a result of any liver disease
  • Fluid starts to accumulate inside abdomen
  • Patient starts losing consciousness
  
   
Can my liver regenerates so that I do not need a transplant? Top
Liver can regenerate only when it is healthy; cirrhotic liver cannot regenerate.  
   
What is the success rate of transplant?  

Success of transplant depends on number of factors:

  • Operating Surgeon
  • Patient’s Health
  • Rejection of new liver by patient’s immune system

Worldwide liver transplant success rate is 95% while long term survival rate is 80%.

  
   
Do individuals who have received a transplanted liver have to take medication? Top
Yes, in general patient need to take anti-rejection medications so organs can work properly and patient’s immune system will not attack or reject new transplant.  
   
Can a patient’s original liver disease reoccur in the new transplanted liver?  
If a patient’s liver disease was caused by auto-immune hepatitis, Hepatitis B, C than recurrence is possible.  
   
How long does it take to recover from liver transplantation?  
Recovery depends on the patient’s condition prior to surgery. Normally, the recovery takes 1 to 4 weeks.  
   
What happens after surgery? Top
Whether you donate or receive a liver, you'll see your doctor for regular checkups during the first month after the operation. Then you'll have appointments about once every 3 months, and after that once a year. Go back to your activities slowly, as you feel ready. Ask your doctor which medicines are safe for you to take.  
   
If a patient’s transplanted liver fails to function or is rejected?  
There are varying degrees of liver failure, even with imperfect function, patient can remain quite well. Patient’s liver that is failing can be replaced by second or even a third transplant.  
   
What lifestyle changes are associated with liver transplants?  
Most patients can return to a normal or near-normal lifestyle six months after a successful liver transplant. Recipients should avoid exposure to people with infections. Maintaining a balanced diet, and staying on prescribed medications are vital to stay healthy. Children can attend school and participate in sports and other age-appropriate activities and can have a normal married life with no fertility issues.  
   
How safe is it for women to become pregnant after transplantation? Top
Studies have shown that women who undergo liver transplantation can conceive and give birth normally, although they have to be monitored carefully because of a higher incidence of premature births. However, mothers are advised against nursing babies because of the possibility of immunosuppressive drugs being transmitted to the infants through breast milk.