Liver failure is a serious life-threatening condition that requires urgent medical attention. Liver failure may come on suddenly (acute) or develop slowly over a period of time (chronic). Patients experiencing liver failure may become confused, disoriented and extremely sleepy.
Why is the liver important?
Your liver is responsible for digestion of food and turns fats into energy. Additionally, the liver cleans blood by removing harmful substances.
What is the recovery time from liver transplantation?
In general liver transplantation patients may expect roughly 3 to 6 months or more of recovery time before fully healed.
- A few days in the intensive care unit (ICU) following surgery.
- An additional 5 to 10 days recuperating in the hospital’s transplant recovery area.
- A follow-up appointment schedule created by your transplant team for after you return home.
- Liver resections
- Gastric (stomach) surgery
- Whipple procedure
- Gall bladder removal
- Hernia repair in cirrhotic transplant patients
You may need a liver transplant if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Acute liver failure
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Chronic liver failure (cirrhosis)
- Hepatitis B or C
- Liver cancer
- Stomach pain or swelling
- Itchy Skins
- Changes in urine color
- Vomiting blood
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skins and eyes)
- Muscle wasting