When you choose to become a living-liver donor, you can make a lifesaving impact on someone with liver disease or liver cancer. And donating a portion of your liver typically doesn’t require a long recovery, either.
Although recovery times after living-donor liver transplants vary, most donors return to normal daily activities several weeks after surgery. By two months post-surgery, many donors can return to work if their job doesn’t require them to lift more than 10 pounds. Within three to four months, your liver will regenerate to full size.
Learn more about the recovery process for donors after a living-donor liver transplant.
How Long Will I Be in the Hospital After Donating My Liver?
Most living-liver donors stay in the hospital for about five to seven days after the transplant.
After surgery, you’ll stay in the transplant intensive care unit overnight. After that, you’ll move to the abdominal transplant unit.
Before your discharge, your care team will ensure you’re healthy enough to return home. They’ll see that your pain is well-managed, you’re eating and drinking, and you can safely walk on your own.
Will I Need Medication After Donating My Liver?
You’ll be on pain medication and routine postoperative medication after the surgery. When you’re discharged from the hospital, your care team will review what medications you need to take and provide them to you.
Recovery at Home After Living-Liver Donation
By the time you return home after donating a portion of your liver, you should be able to do normal daily activities. This includes eating, getting dressed, and showering.
However, you should avoid bending or heavy lifting. You may need someone to help with chores, such as cooking, cleaning, or laundry, for several weeks. If you have young children, you’ll need assistance with their care.
Remember, it’s important to take care of your body and rest after surgery to ensure you don’t have any setbacks. Your transplant team will give you full instructions on caring for yourself at home.
When can I drive after donating my liver?
Living-liver donors are generally permitted to drive three to four weeks after surgery.
If you need to get around before then, you’ll need to ask a family member, friend, or someone else to drive you.
Can I exercise after donating my liver?
After donating a portion of your liver, you’ll have to gradually work yourself back up to exercising again, starting with walking. Your transplant registered nurse coordinator will review other exercises and activities with you.
You’ll also have restrictions on how much weight you can lift for three months post-transplant. Your care team will discuss this with you before and after your surgery.
Your care team will guide you about when you can start ramping up your activity level.
When can I go back to work after donating my liver?
Generally, you should be able to get back to work about five to six weeks after donating part of your liver.
However, you may need to take more time off if your job requires heavy lifting or other strenuous activities.
Talk to your care team about your specific situation for guidance on when you can return to work.
Diet After Living-Donor Liver Transplant
After donating a portion of your liver, you should eat a healthy diet to encourage your recovery and prevent constipation. Aim for a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Donors need to make sure they’re well-hydrated by drinking enough water every day.
Follow-up Visits After Living-Liver Donation
To ensure your recovery as a donor is going smoothly, you’ll have required appointments with the transplant team. You’ll have scheduled follow-ups:
- The first week after surgery.
- Three months after surgery.
- Six months after surgery.
- One year after surgery.
- Two years after surgery.
At each appointment, you’ll see the surgeon and your transplant coordinator. You’ll have lab work done as needed.
You should also visit your primary care provider (PCP) each year for a physical to check your overall health.
How Long Will It Take My Liver to Grow Back After Transplant?
During surgery, 50% to 60% of a donor’s liver is removed and transplanted into the recipient.
Because the liver can regenerate, your remaining liver will regenerate to 80% to 90% of its full size within three months.
Why to Become a Living-Liver Donor
According to the Health Resources & Services Administration, over 14,000 Americans are on the liver transplant waiting list. The wait for a deceased donor can be very long; some people die waiting for a transplant. Living donation can help save lives.
At UPMC, we consider living-donor liver transplant a first-line treatment option for people with liver disease and liver cancer. By choosing to donate, you can save someone’s life. In addition, you’ll recover within a few months of surgery, and your liver will regenerate.
Before becoming a living donor, you’ll undergo a full evaluation to ensure you’re healthy enough to donate.
UPMC is a national leader in living-donor liver transplants. To learn more about our program or to register to become a living donor, visit our website.
Sources
Health Resources & Services Administration, Organ Donation Statistics. Link