Division of Solid Organ Transplantation
Procedures
Liver Transplant Surgery
Evaluation
Guide to Liver Transplant |
The first step in the transplant process is evaluation. The liver transplant team evaluates your condition and decides if you are a good candidate for a transplant. Our team includes:
- Transplant surgeons
- A liver specialist
- A psychiatrist
- A social worker
- Nutritionists
- Nurses
- Transplant coordinators
- Other health care professionals
Usually within a week after you're referred to us, a transplant coordinator will call you to discuss the evaluation process and set up your appointments. We'll also do a preliminary financial and insurance coverage assessment.
Tests
For the evaluation, you will have two or three outpatient visits at Strong Hospital. You will have a number of diagnostic tests on your first visit. The second visit is usually a week or two after the first, but the whole evaluation process can be completed within 12-48 hours for a critically ill person. We strongly urge you to bring one or two other people, who will become your support system, to all meetings.
Among other things, the tests will show if you have complications or conditions that might adversely affect your surgery. If problems are found, you may be referred to the appropriate specialists at Strong Health who can help you with them. You'll also talk to a financial counselor about insurance and other ways of covering the costs of the transplant and follow-up care.
Results
After the evaluation, the results are given to the Liver Transplant Patient Evaluation and Selection Committee. It uses the Patient Selection Criteria and Implementation Plan to decide if you're a suitable candidate for a liver transplant. You can read the complete plan by downloading it now, or get a copy by calling us at 585-275-5875.
If you don't become a transplant candidate, the transplant team will support your primary care doctor, as appropriate, in managing your liver disease. If you do become a candidate, you'll be put on the waiting list for a donated liver unless you have a living donor willing to donate part of his/her liver to you. If you have a living donor, the transplant surgery can be scheduled soon after donor approval is complete.
Get more information about living donor transplant
More About the Transplant Process