Liver transplantation is a complex procedure. At Weill Cornell Medicine, our multidisciplinary team of experts focuses on ensuring a smooth experience for patients and their loved ones.
Throughout the entire liver transplantation process, we work together to empower you with information, support your emotional and physical well-being, as well as enhance your quality of life after surgery.
The expert team at Weill Cornell Medicine provides lifesaving liver transplantation care. With outstanding dedication to our patients’ well-being and comfort, we continue to achieve excellent liver transplant rates higher than the national average.
Supportive Care Before Your Surgery
Liver Transplantation Evaluation Process
When you become our patient, you are assigned a transplant coordinator who will help guide you through the evaluation and waitlist process. You will spend time discussing the process with your transplant coordinator. Typically, transplant coordinators spend one hour with each patient per appointment.
Our team of liver transplant surgeons and hepatologists (liver specialists) will evaluate your health to determine if you’re a good candidate for liver transplantation surgery or another treatment approach. This evaluation may include a blood test or other tests, as well as a discussion of your medical history.
You will then meet with other members of our liver transplantation care team to discuss your health, answer your questions and discuss possible treatment options.
Waitlist Period
If you are determined to be a suitable candidate for liver transplantation and choose to proceed, you will discuss your options with your care team and be placed on a waiting list. While on the waiting list, you will meet regularly with your care team to monitor your health, as well as receive support.
During this time, you will be connected with a nurse waitlist coordinator, who will review and manage your laboratory and imaging results, as well as help you understand the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) process and what to expect before, during and after your surgery.
In addition to your transplant and nurse waitlist coordinator, the Weill Cornell Medicine liver transplantation team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days per year at our liver transplant unit for patient care.
Be sure to read answers to common questions for liver transplantation recipients and donors.
What to Expect During the Liver Transplantation Surgery Process
Your care team will instruct you, your caregivers and loved ones about every aspect of the procedure and stay in the hospital afterward. At Weill Cornell Medicine, your comfort and well-being are our top priorities.
Your transplantation surgery process will differ if it is a living donor liver transplantation or a deceased donor liver transplantation. A living donor liver transplantation is scheduled in advance. In the case of a deceased donor liver transplantation, you will be asked to come to the hospital immediately when notified.
When you are at the hospital, your care team will help prepare you and your loved ones for your surgery. You will then be brought to the surgical unit and receive general anesthesia.
Your liver transplant surgeon will make an incision (cut) across your stomach to access your liver. Your surgeon will then remove the liver from your body and implant the healthy donor liver. Next, your surgeon will connect the portal vein, hepatic artery and bile duct to the donor liver. You will be monitored closely for some time before your surgeon stitches the incision closed. Typically, the liver transplantation surgery process takes about 10 hours.
Learn more about the organ donation process.
Your Recovery and Support
Your Recovery After Surgery
After your surgery, you can expect to spend about 24 hours in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU), where your care team will monitor your health closely. After this time, you will move to another room to begin your recovery. You can expect to stay here for about one to two weeks before transitioning home.
During this time, your care team will educate you on the immunosuppressants and other medications you will need to take to help reduce the chance of complications after your transplant. You will also learn how to best care for yourself while living at home.
Supporting Your Long-Term Health
Our care team at Weill Cornell Medicine is dedicated to supporting liver transplant patients to enjoy the fullest life possible.
Depending on your overall health, it may take several months for you to feel fully healed after your liver transplant surgery. It is important to patiently care for yourself, set realistic expectations and seek support from loved ones and others.
A liver transplantation requires lifelong care. You will regularly visit Weill Cornell Medicine specialists to monitor your health. In addition, we will help enhance your quality of life with nutrition and integrative health services. Our team will also connect you with valuable resources, including support groups for liver transplant recipients.
Be sure to read answers to common questions for liver transplantation recipients and donors.