[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/life-after-liver-donation\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/life-after-liver-donation\/","headline":"Life After Becoming a Living Liver Donor","name":"Life After Becoming a Living Liver Donor","description":"Being a living transplant donor is a major decision. Learn more about the recovery process and life after living liver donation.","datePublished":"2017-04-12","dateModified":"2019-07-17","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/transplant","name":"Transplant Services","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/transplant","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/transplant-services\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/042017BLG_LIVINGDONOR.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/042017BLG_LIVINGDONOR.jpg","height":325,"width":751},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/life-after-liver-donation\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Transplant"],"wordCount":474,"keywords":["liver disease","liver donor","liver regeneration","liver transplant","living donors","surgery recovery"],"articleBody":"Becoming a living transplant donor is a major decision.You\u2019re not just saving one life. You’re giving a piece of your liver for someone else to live a happier, healthier life. And you forever leave a mark on your liver recipient\u2019s family and friends.Being a living liver donor comes with benefits and risks that you should know before deciding to donate.Read more about the recovery process and life after living liver donation.You can save a life. Learn more about becoming a living liver donor.Click Here to Learn More about Receiving a liver transplant. Contact UPMC.Fill out the form below or call 833-683-3555 for more information. Recovery for Living DonorsThe recovery process for living liver donors is different for everyone and depends on your health before the surgery.RELATED: What Does the Liver Do for the Body?Fortunately, you won’t need to take any medications after your surgery. And you should be able to go home in about a week.Once you’re home, you’ll be able to return to most of your normal activities, including:ShoweringGetting dressedSimple daily tasks around the houseYou will have some limits after your surgery.\u00a0\u00a0For example, you:Will need someone to take care of physical household activities.Won\u2019t be able to drive for about three weeks.Shouldn\u2019t push or lift heavy objects or children.Most donors can return to work about eight weeks after surgery. If your job requires heavy lifting, bending, or stretching, you will need a few extra weeks off before going back to work.Tips for Staying Healthy After Living Donor SurgeryAfter a liver transplant, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This will help you heal faster and return to normal life.Stay healthy after your living donor liver transplant with these tips:Avoid heavy lifting. You won\u2019t be able to lift more than 10 pounds after surgery. Lifting too much too soon could cause you to get a hernia.Stick to a healthy diet. Avoid fried or creamy foods and excess cheese.Try to exercise. You can do some physical activity one or two days a week as you heal. Avoid anything that\u2019s overly exerting.Drink plenty of water. Drinking water will help you heal and prevent constipation.Liver regenerationIt\u2019s helpful to keep in mind that, as a donor, your liver will return to its normal size after you have donated.The portion the surgeon removed will not grow back, but the rest of your liver will grow to fill that space. This regeneration takes about two to three months.Remember, life-saving transplants would not be possible without you. While you’ll need to take your time recovering, you will get back to a normal and healthy life after being a donor."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Life After Becoming a Living Liver Donor","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/life-after-liver-donation\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]