Life After Liver Transplantation

Life After Liver Transplantation:

Life after liver transplantation depends on the results of the procedure. It is well-known that patients receiving a liver or a portion of a liver from a donor live a normal life for more than 32 years after the surgery. This is because liver transplants are typically performed when all other treatment options fail to save the patient’s life due to liver failure.

In most cases, the donated liver comes from someone who has passed away, and their relatives have given consent for organ donation. This is the case for Turkish patients, while liver transplantations from living donors who are closely related to the patient and have matching tissues are common for foreign patients. It’s essential for foreign patients to be of the same nationality as the donor, as per Turkish Ministry of Health regulations. Foreigners cannot donate livers to Turkish patients.

Although liver transplantations carry several risks, they are among the most successful surgeries in Turkey. This success is attributed to the expertise of Turkish surgeons, who have performed over 1,000 liver transplantations with a success rate exceeding 91.7%. The advanced recovery units to monitor patients after the transplant have also contributed to these high success rates. This surgery often helps save the lives of individuals suffering from severe liver diseases or significantly extend their lives.

Recovery Period Immediately After Liver Transplantation:

After the surgery, most patients stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for one or two days. They are assisted with a ventilator to help with breathing and closely monitored to ensure the new liver is functioning properly.

Immunosuppressive medications will be given to prevent the patient’s body from attacking the transplanted liver. These medications must be taken for life by individuals who have undergone organ transplantation.

Once the patient is ready for transfer, they will be moved from the ICU to a regular hospital room. They will need to stay in the hospital for approximately two more weeks before being discharged.

If you are considering traveling for a liver transplant in Turkey, feel free to contact us for guidance on the best hospitals with the highest success rates and the most affordable treatment costs. Simply reach out to us.

Our contact numbers:

• Algeria: 0560941946
• Turkey: 00905376917695

Our Algerian Patient Underwent Liver Transplantation – The Full Story in the Video:

In the video, you’ll find an interview with our patient from the city of Bordj Bou Arreridj, who couldn’t find liver transplantation available in Algeria, which led them to undergo the surgery in Turkey.

You can learn more about the patient’s detailed journey from Algeria to Turkey through the link below.

Patient’s Story

Quality of Life After Liver Transplantation:

After the liver transplant, patients need to take various medications. Some are for preventing the body from rejecting the new organ (immunosuppressants), others to fight infections, and some to treat the side effects of immunosuppressants.

Patients returning home after their recovery in the hospital will typically take around 7 to 10 different types of medications. As they heal and their new liver functions better, the dosage and number of medications will decrease over time. By six months, it’s common for patients to only take 1 or 2 medications.

However, patients will need to take immunosuppressive medications for the rest of their lives in almost all cases. It’s crucial that patients take these medications exactly as prescribed, at the proper dosages, and at the correct times. Missing doses or stopping medications without a doctor’s approval could lead to organ rejection and failure. Additionally, most liver transplant recipients need to make certain lifestyle changes to maintain the health of their new liver.

These lifestyle changes include:

• Following a healthy, balanced diet
• Staying hydrated
• Quitting smoking
• Avoiding alcohol
• Taking all medications as prescribed
• Attending all medical appointments
• Avoiding raw or undercooked eggs, meat, and seafood
• Avoiding unpasteurized foods
• Reducing foods that are hard for the liver to digest, such as fats, cholesterol, sugars, and salt
• Avoiding contact with sick individuals
• Consulting a doctor immediately if feeling ill
• Avoiding known allergens
• Avoiding contact with reptiles, rodents, insects, and birds
• Avoiding grapefruit and grapefruit juice (due to their effect on immunosuppressive drugs)
• Avoiding strenuous activity during the first three months after surgery and consulting a doctor before resuming intense physical activities or exercises
• Consulting a doctor before using any new over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or supplements
• Using insect repellent outdoors in spring or summer and limiting time outdoors at dawn or dusk
• Avoiding swimming in lakes and other freshwater bodies
• Consulting a doctor before planning any trips, especially to developing countries
• Consulting a doctor before using contraceptives or attempting to get pregnant

For more information on liver transplantation, we encourage you to browse this content.

To learn more about our trusted sources on this topic, please visit:

• Medical News Today
• Columbia Surgery