Who needs a transplant | Pre-transplant evaluation | Transplant operation | Post operative care | Living with a transplant

Living with a Liver Transplant

Going Home

Going home after a transplant although a happy occasion, may be accompanied by a significant level of anxiety for the first few weeks. Despite the potential problems, the majority of transplant patients return to a normal lifestyle and activity within three months.

They work, have a family, raise children, play a useful role in the community and enjoy recreation.

Diet and Nutrition

You have been ill for a long time prior to your transplant and have probably lost a lot of weight. Therefore eating properly is an important part of your recovery process, and a healthy and balanced diet will help get you back on your feet again.

Your diet should include:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole-grain cereals and breads
• Low -fat milk and dairy products or other sources of calcium
• Lean meats, fish, poultry, or other sources of protein

Further recommendations:.

• Weigh yourself every day
• Avoid sugary snacks such as cakes and biscuits between meals. If you feel hungry, eat some fruit or vegetables (low in calories).
• Try to drink about 2 litres of fluid every day. This is good for your kidney and help remove waste products from your body. Bottled mineral water, herbal teas, pasteurised low-fat milk, and fruit juices are good.
• Always wash and peel fresh fruit
• Vegetables that grown in soil, eg potatoes, should always be peeled and cooked in boiling water. Cooking vegetables in a pressure cooker is a good way of saving the vitamin content. Do not eat raw vegetables, eg lettuce.
• Do not eat cheese made from unpasteurised milk and avoid cheeses with mould.
• Only buy small amounts of dairy products at one time so that you can eat them while they are still fresh

Salt (Sodium)

While on steroids, try to restrict your salt intake by:

• Using salt sparingly when cooking
• Trying not to add salt to cooked food or salad
• Avoiding salty foods, eg potato crisps, pickles and tinned food

Exercise

It is important to have daily exercise routine to build up your muscles weakened by a long of illness. You should slowly increase your levels of exercise. Cycling swimming, and walking are very useful for increasing your stamina and overall muscle tone, and all going well, you can also resume other sports three months after the operation.

Before starting on any exercise programme, remember to check with your transplant team.

Driving

It is not advisable to drive a car during the first four weeks following transplantation.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages are not recommended. Alcohol is broken down by the liver and can cause live damage.

Smoking

Stop smoking! Smoking is harmful to everyone's health.

Sexual Activity

You may resume sexual activity as soon as you feel well enough. The majority of men regain their potency and most women find that their menstrual cycle returns to normal a few months after the operation.

Fertility

Many men have successfully fathered children after transplantation, and a large number of women have given birth to healthy children. Women should discuss their wish to start a family with their doctor or a member of the transplant team.

Normally, you should wait at least a year before becoming pregnant. Furthermore you should have good kidney function, be free of any illnesses which could endanger your or your baby's health, and be receiving low dose immunosuppressive therapy.

Vacation

There is no reason why you should not enjoy traveling provided you use common sense. You should always take enough medication with you for the whole trip. Always leave an address where you can be contacted.

Household Pets

It is not normally recommended to have household pets because of the increased risk of infection.

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