Department of Surgery
Division of Solid Organ Transplantation
Procedures
Liver Transplant Surgery
Long-term Management
Guide to Liver Transplant |
After you leave the hospital, you'll return on a regular schedule for follow-up visits. A medical team will follow your progress throughout your life. You'll have regular blood tests to check that your new liver is not being damaged by rejection, infections, or problems with blood vessels or bile ducts. Problems are most likely to occur within the first six months after the transplant. Over time, both the frequency of lab tests and the doses of medicine are reduced.
You'll need to eat a healthy diet, exercise, and not drink alcohol, especially if alcohol caused the damage to your old liver. Use medicines, including over-the-counter, only if your doctor says they're safe for you. It is important to follow your doctor's advice to take care of your new liver.
Returning to Normal Activities
After a successful liver transplant, most people can go back to their normal daily activities. Getting your strength back will take some time, though, depending on how sick you were before the transplant. You'll need to check with your transplant team on how long your recovery period should be. Social workers and support groups will help you adjust to life with a new liver.
Eventually, though, you'll be able to return to work, engage in normal exercise, and return to a normal sex life. However, women should avoid becoming pregnant during the first year after a transplant. It's best to consult with your doctors about sex and pregnancy.
More About the Transplant Process
- Evaluation
- Waiting for an Organ
- Transplant Surgery
- Recovery
- Long-term Management