What to Know Before Getting a Liver Transplant?
The liver is an integral part of our body that helps filter the blood and remove toxins. It is essential to maintain a healthy liver that can function well. There are plenty of liver-related issues that can take a severe turn. Fortunately, there are eminent treatments that come in handy to treat such issues.
A liver transplant is the last resort when your liver stops working. It is the surgical removal of the affected liver or its part, replaced by a healthy liver. During a transplant, either the whole liver is replaced or a part of it. It is essential to find a healthy donor to conduct a transplant.
A liver transplant in Delhi is highly effective with the support of qualified surgeons and cutting-edge medical technology. That’s the reason Delhi remains a preferred region for liver transplants across the globe.
What Do The Statistics Say About Liver Transplant?
The survival rate of liver transplants in the last few years is 75%. There are chances that the transplanted liver may fail and cause severe damage to your health. It is essential to monitor the recovery even after the surgery to detect any issues. There are blood tests that ensure the quality and stability of your liver after the transplant.
You need to be aware of plenty of things if you are going to undergo a liver transplant. It would help you in understanding the risks, complications, and what to expect from the surgery.
What Is Evaluation?
Before appearing for the liver transplant, you need to evaluate your condition to check whether you are:
- A proper fit for a liver transplant
- Eligible for any other treatment
- Healthy enough to go for a liver transplant
What Is Testing?
To conduct a thorough evaluation, you need to go through many tests that will determine your condition. You might require more tests based on the results. Here are the tests that you need to go through:
- Blood Tests: Through a blood test, you can determine what is the severity of your liver damage, the type of blood and tissue to find a donor, and whether you have other viruses or not.
- Chest X-Ray: to find out if there is any problem with your lungs.
- Urine Test: To check whether you have a urinary infection/disease. It can also show the content of alcohol or drug in your system.
- Heart Test: With the help of an electrocardiogram (ECG), abnormal heart rhythms can be detected. It also shows how well your heart is working in liver damage.
- Breathing Tests: It is conducted to check the proper functionality of your lungs. Breathing tests are necessary if you have a history of smoking or lung diseases.
- CT Scan: To get clear images of your liver and understand the damage.
- Liver Biopsy: It helps find the reason behind your liver damage. You would need to stay overnight for the biopsy.
- Cancer Screening: Several other cancer tests like mammograms, colonoscopy, or pap smear to detect cancer chances.
What Happens At The Time Of Surgery?
A liver transplant is indeed a life-saving surgery that can help your liver function properly. However, it is imperative to understand that no one can guarantee the transplant’s success or failure. Even surgeons are not aware of how the transplanted liver will react to the body.
The risks are higher in a liver transplant, and the success rate is 85-90 percent which means 9 out of 10 patients will survive a transplant for one year. But it also means that 10-15% of patients die after the transplant. The success of failure depends on the severity of the issue. It is essential to find a suitable donor for the transplant. Only then can you ensure successful transplantation.
What To Expect After The Surgery?
You will be shifted to the intensive care unit to observe your condition keenly. There will be machines to help you keep your organs functioning. There will be pressure sleeves and boots to prevent blood clots in your body.
You will feel extreme pain right after the surgery, so you must be prepared for it. Your pain will be carefully watched and accounted for to determine your condition. It may take two to three weeks to come back to a normal state.
Once your condition is stable, you will be allotted a separate room to stay in the hospital for a little while. It depends on your recovery rate that will determine whether the transplanted liver suits you or not.
The Bottom Line
A liver transplant is a necessary treatment for liver damage. It would be best if you prepared yourself both mentally and physically. It is imperative to consult your surgeon before the surgery to understand what to expect and prepare yourself.
