Transplant FAQs

How Do I Sign Up to Receive a Transplant?

Individuals needing an organ transplant are placed on a national waiting list run by UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing).

Patients are selected as being appropriate for a donated organs as they come available based on:

• Time on the list
• Acuteness of medical condition
• Blood type 
• Body size

How Long Will My Procedure Take?

When an organ becomes available, patients undergo a procedure to remove the diseased organ and replace it with a healthy organ. 

• Liver Transplant Procedure Time = 6-8 hours

What Do You Do to Prevent Organ Rejection?

• The greatest chance of rejection is in the first three months after the procedure
• The initial 48 hours following the transplantation are critical.  During the transplant operation, patients are given drugs to reduce their immune system's response and reduce the body's chances of rejecting the new organ.  Within 24-48 hours, the transplant team will know if the organ is functioning properly
• Even after patients have returned home, they are monitored regularly.  Patients must be careful to avoid infections as these can pose a serious threat for a transplant recipient

What is the Recovery Time for the Transplant Procedure?

Liver Transplantation Recovery time for the donor is 5 days.  Recovery time for the recipient is two weeks.