A Complete Overview of a Life Saving Treatment - Liver Transplantation in India - AILBS

The liver is the only organ in the body that can replace lost or injured tissues (regenerate). A liver transplant may be offered to patients with the end-stage liver disease after other treatment options have been exhausted. It is necessary for many people as it is a lifesaving procedure.

The liver is one of the largest solid organs present in the human body. The weight of a liver in adults is around three pounds and is almost similar to the size of a football. It is one of the essential organs as it looks over the functions of the metabolic, detoxification, immune system, and more. A person whose liver is not functioning properly will not be able to survive and is suggested to undergo liver transplantation. Before going ahead with any procedures, they must know about the price of liver transplant in India. 

 

A liver performs several important functions, and people should always look after the health of their liver. It is situated just below the diaphragm and at the right upper portion of the abdomen. However, a part of the liver is also located in the left upper abdomen.

 

What is a liver transplant?

 

The surgical procedure through which an injured or diseased liver is replaced with a healthy one from another person is known as a liver transplant. The individual who donates a healthy liver is called a donor. They can either be a living donor or a deceased donor. People with liver failure (when the liver stops working) can only be saved with the help of liver transplantation. 

 

LIVER TRANSPLANT FROM LIVING DONOR. LIVER TRANSPLANT FROM LIVING DONOR.

 

In liver transplantation, the doctors either replace the whole liver or some parts of it. The whole process of liver transplant is very complex and usually depends on the condition of an individual. Compared to previous times, most people can survive liver transplants now. In almost all cases, people recover from the surgery soon if they follow all the surgery instructions.

 

What major procedures are involved in liver transplants?

 

The liver transplant surgery procedure involves three main steps: preparation, surgery, and recovery.

 

1. Preparation

 

The preparation stage might differ depending on whether the donor is living or deceased. If a deceased donor is available, the transplant team will call the recipient as early as possible if the liver matches all the criteria. The recipient must go to the hospital immediately and prepare for the surgery soon. The medical team will schedule the surgery 4 weeks to 6 weeks in advance with a living donor. The recipient's transplant coordinator will inform them of what they must do to prepare.

 

2. Surgery

 

If the liver is available from a deceased donor, the surgical process will start when the liver comes to the hospital. However, the transplant team will schedule the process if the liver comes from a living donor. The donor and the recipient will have the surgical procedure at the same time. Before going ahead with the surgical procedures, the transplant recipient will receive a general anaesthetic. It basically means that they will be asleep throughout the surgery. 

 

The healthcare provider cuts across the recipient's abdomen and toward the chest to replace the liver. After that, they remove the damaged liver and place the new one, connecting it to the recipient's blood vessels and bile ducts, which are the tubes connecting the liver to the small intestine. The surgeon then closes the wound either with clips or stitches.

 

BEFORE AND AFTER LIVER TRANSPLANTATION.

 

3. Recovery

 

Once the surgery is done, the medical team takes the recipient to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Living donors will also spend a day in the ICU. The doctors and nurses monitor recipients and donors closely. Healthcare providers perform multiple medical tests, such as blood tests, to check the recipient's heart, lung, and kidney functions. The recipient also starts taking immunosuppressant medication to stop their immune system from harming the new liver. 

 

They will need to take this medication for the rest of their life. The medical team will encourage the recipient to get out of bed, sit in a chair the day after surgery, and walk short distances when they feel able to. The medical team will work with the recipient and donor so they know how to look after themselves when they leave the hospital.

 

What happens after the transplant?

 

Liver transplantation is usually a complex treatment and depends upon the patient's situation. It is not for people to find themselves readmitted to a hospital during the first year. After the surgery, people face a few problems, such as infections, recurrent diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), cancer, or different problems in other body parts. If an individual is facing any issues after a liver transplant, they must visit and consult the healthcare provider who performed the surgery. 

 

How does life improve after a liver transplant? 

 

It can be a long process to recover from a liver transplant. However, maximum people recover and return to most of their normal activities within a few times. They can amazingly relive their life after the transplant. It can take up to a year to recover fully. However, people should be able to start building up their normal activities gradually after a few weeks. Dr Vivek Vij at the Advanced Institute of Liver and Biliary Science (AILBS) takes proper care of all the processes done. He ensures that the patient is at ease before starting the surgery.

 

1. Start enjoying life again

 

Most of the patients recover well after the transplant. In addition, their transplanted liver lasts for many years. Therefore, when comparing a person with a liver transplant and another not having a liver transplant, it is found that a person with a liver transplant can lead a longer and better quality of life. Once the operation is done, patients are recovering, and the doctor visits are less frequent, they can start getting back to normal life.

 

2. Food and Diet

 

After the liver transplant, most people do not need any specific diet. However, a regular, balanced diet is required to recover fast and stay healthy. Sometimes people can get extra help from a dietitian.

 

3. Physical relation and Pregnancy

 

As soon as the patients feel ready physically and emotionally, they can start having a physical relationship. Most women can get pregnant after having a liver transplantation. However, there are a few points women should keep in mind before getting pregnant.

 

  • Avoid getting pregnant for at least one year.

  • If a lady plans to get pregnant within a year of the transplant, they must talk to their transplant team first and plan it as they recommend. 

  • If the patient gets pregnant at any point before a year, then they should contact the transplant team immediately to avoid any further issues.

 

People might need extra monitoring if they become pregnant after having a liver transplant. Dr Vivek Vij at AILBS can guide people about all these factors. 

 

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION - INFOGRAPHIC.

 

4. Getting back to work

 

Rejoining the workplace depends upon the type of work the transplant patients do and how quickly they can recover. Some people can rejoin their job after two or three months, whereas others may need more time off from the job. Healthcare professionals can help people and give them more advice about this.

 

5. More energy for work, travel, and activities

 

After having a liver transplant, most people can feel that they have more energy than before. They also feel more capable of doing day-to-day activities and work. People can also go on holiday after a few months because travelling is easy to manage. People can even play sports and do exercises. However, they must be watchful for every step they take. 

 

The bottom line

 

Liver transplantation is necessary for many people as it is a lifesaving procedure. The part of the liver donated by a living donor regenerates and grows back to its original shape and size. As the risk of infection is high while recovering from such an intense surgery, have someone keep the doctor, surgeon, or their team on speed dial to report any urgent health issues. The price of liver transplant in India can vary depending on several factors, such as the location of the hospital, the condition of the patients, and so on. People suffering from any liver-related problems must visit and consult Dr Vivek Vij at the Advanced Institute of Liver And Biliary Science (AILBS). Explore the website to know more.

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