FAQ’S ABOUT LIVER TRANSPLANT

How long will my liver transplant last?

Patients who have undergone a liver transplant at Liver Transplant Centres in Hyderabad at KIMS Hospitals has have had high success rates. Those who received have had high success rates. Statistics say that patients who have received the organ from a deceased donor has patient survival is at 87%, those transplanted from a living donor 92% and those from one year graft survival rates are at 83%. The statistics are collected from patients from all age groups. These good results have been because of the patients strictly adhering to immunosuppressant’s for life long.

How good will the quality of the life of the patient after he has had a liver transplant?

The liver transplant patients can lead normal lives after the transplant like most of us do with barely any complications. The first three months are crucial and the patients must follow what your physician has asked you to abide as the new liver is trying to get adjusted. KIMS - the Best liver transplant clinics in Hyderabad insists on taking the medications as scheduled. By the time patients are discharged they are able to take care of themselves. This increases the life span and promotes longer survival with hardly any complications.

Is there a possibility of the liver disease to recur after a transplant?

There are chances of liver disease to recur. Hepatitis C could be one of them. The transplant team will have a strict vigil on the patient if they notice any such changes or otherwise to prevent any such liver ailments from attacking the new liver. The patient too must be aware of these diseases and should be careful.

Will there be too much of pain after the liver transplant surgery?

There will be considerable pain after surgery but the patients with abdominal surgeries will have more. An abdominal incision causes numbness of the skin around the abdomen. It takes around three months for the nerves to re grow. The other side effect is the back pain because of the long time spent on the operating table. The pain medications prescribe by your doctor will ease the pain.

How large will the scar be?

The cut is made from the right side of the midsection till the ribs and extends to the left of the abdomen. This incision is called as “Chevron Incision”. The incision is also made from the sternum- the breast bone to the horizontal incision. Such a large cut will have pain and the scar too will remain.

What is the length of the recuperation period?

Patients are hospitalized for as long as 10 days after the transplant. They are usually asked to stay for that long so that they can check if there are any post operative issues and also to see to it that the patient is recovering. Once the doctor is confident that the condition has improved and you can recuperate at home you will be discharged says the best liver transplant surgery doctors in Hyderabad. They are encouraged to get back to work after three months. That much of time is sufficient enough to heal and get back to the normal self.

Should the transplant patient take medications after the transplant?

Medications are the most important part of recovery. Hence not a single dose has to be missed. Patients are advised immunosuppressant. These immunosuppressants are given to prevent any infections, organ rejection and any other side effects. The patient initially will be taking ten different medicines. They will be reduced over a period of time. By the sixth month after the surgery the medications will be reduced to one or two, while the immunosuppressant is meant to be taken for the rest of the life. Any missed dose might lead to an organ failure.

What are the possible side effects from the medications post liver transplant surgery?

Most of the medications do have side effects. KIMS Liver Transplant Hospitals in Hyderabad India say that the side effects include hair loss or hair growth, changes in the mood, kidney dysfunction, weakness in the bone and the muscles, increase in blood sugars and blood pressure, nausea, vomiting , diarrhoea and head ache. Initially since the dosages of these medications are high the side effects show. Once the doses are reduced the side effects too will reduce. However the immune suppressants have to be taken for a lifetime. You are not advised to take your own decision just because you are experiencing the side effects. Inform your doctor about the issues he may change the medications to improve your side effects.

Can the patient return to work after the liver transplant procedure?

Most of the patients will be in their good health after three months post surgery. They are allowed to go back to the work and start working also, so that you don’t lapse your health insurance. Initially he may take time to get adjusted due to the break or because of the surgery.

But once you get acclaimed you can work and do the things you were doing earlier with the same force and anonymity. You should firmly assure your mind that you are not disabled anymore and you are in absolute good health. This drive will help you get back with the rest other routine things as well.

Can the patient take alcohol after the liver transplant?

You are not allowed to take alcohol after the transplant. It not only reacts with the medications. It is very toxic to the liver. When you have suffered so much got the transplant done you must take extreme precautions and do not get carried away with such thoughts. You have to make certain lifestyle changes for your own good. Else your transplant will not be successful.

Is the patient allowed to be sexually active post liver transplant procedure?

Yes, the patient is allowed to have sex after the transplant. Few patients experience impotence while few others would have lost the desire to have sex due to the pain, fear or disinterestedness due to their health issue. But this will diminish once you are back to good health. However patients who are not in a monogamous relationship will have to take precautionary measures while having sex as they may contract sexually transmitted diseases as their immune system will be suppressed.

Women who want to conceive would have not been possible due to the illness but once the condition improves post transplant you may conceive. Apart from that you may have to talk to your physician about the birth control methods.

Are you allowed to have children after the transplant?

Women who want to conceive may have to wait until after a year post transplant surgery.

There won’t be any risk to either the baby or the mother. But a close follow up with the transplant team and the obstetrician is very necessary to regularly monitor yours and your baby’s health. Medications will be changed so that the mother or the baby is not affected due to pregnancy. Regular lab tests basically month wise is advised for immune suppressed mothers. The baby may have a lesser baby weight other than that there won’t be any issues generally. The key to a complication free pregnancy and the delivery of a healthy baby is by following up with both your gynecologist and transplant team.

How can the patient get in touch with the family of the donor?

The transplant team will connect you to the Foundations/ Organ Banks who helped you get a liver transplant from the donor family. 

Why KIMS?

KIMS Hospitals is the Best Liver Transplant Hospital in Hyderabad as it has the best transplant team which coordinates with the patient from the day he registers himself for an organ transplant to the day he is operated and even after until he is completely recovered. Such is the attention and concern accorded to the patients here at KIMS. The patients are simply under the best care. This treatment heals and helps the patient to get back to life with all energy and enthusiasm.