Prognosis and Statistics

Patients who have had a liver transplant will need to stay in hospital for up to three weeks after the operation. During this period the heptologists will make sure that the new liver is fully functioning. The patient will be prescribed medication to prevent the rejection of the newly implanted liver and the possibility of infection.

It takes up to eight weeks for the surgery wounds to heal and around twelve weeks for the body to recover entirely. Immune suppressants, usually cyclosporin, are always given to prevent rejection.

Rejection of the new liver is a critical issue. Blood tests can reveal the first signs of rejection. This can be asymptomatic or cause symptoms like: nausea, fever, pain and jaundice (a yellow coloring of the skin). In case of rejection a biopsy will be necessary to confirm that the liver has been rejected.

Antibiotics are prescribed to prevent infection and antacid to reduce heartburn and stomach ulcers.

Although the risk of rejection decreases over time, patients who have undergone a liver transplant will have to take immune suppressants for the rest of their lives.
These may have side effects varying from increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels, to weakening of the bones and even kidney problems.