Liver Transplant Recovery: What to Expect During Hospital Stay

Liver transplant is a major surgery that requires extensive medical management and supervision. Follow postoperative instructions carefully will greatly improve your chances for a full recovery.

Things You'll Need

• Immunosuppressants
• Pillows

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Instructions

• 1

  Plan to stay in the hospital for 10 to 24 days following your surgery.

• 2

  Cough and take deep breaths regularly to prevent pneumonia. Hold a pillow against your chest to "splint" your incision site; this will ease the discomfort associated with postoperative coughing.

• 3

  Walk at least four times a day, in your hospital room and halls.

• 4

  Learn how and when to take your medicines as well as how to prevent organ rejection and infection once you go home.

• 5

  Learn everything you can about your medicines, as you may be on immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of your life. The most common ones are cyclosporine, tacrolimus, azathioprine, daclizumab and mycophenolate mofetil.

• 6

  Learn to care for your T-tube. In many cases, you will be sent home with a drain that is inserted into your bile duct, to help drain bile from your new liver.

• 7

  Talk to your transplant social worker. Now is the time to build up confidence in the professionals who will help you once you are discharged to home.

• 8

  Get help from family members. Assign someone to act as your primary home health provider. Make sure that person is aware of all health decisions and procedures concerning your care.