Liver Transplant
Truly a medical achievement, organ transplantation surgery can give you a new lease on life. If your liver has stopped functioning on its own, a transplant can be a positive solution offering you many years of healthy living.
At Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, we have recruited transplant specialists with decades of experience to care for you or your loved one. We’ll guide you through the entire transplant process and support you in every way.
Why do people need liver transplants?
People with end-stage liver disease, acute liver failure and liver tumors are potential candidates for liver transplants. Becoming a candidate requires extensive testing from multiple specialties to make sure you are medically and physically fit to undergo the lengthy transplant procedure.
How do I get referred to the transplant program?
You will be considered for a liver transplant after referral from a hepatologist or through self-referral. You may also be accepted through emergency departments and hospitals in the region if the situation calls for emergent evaluation. Mostly, transplants are only discussed if you have a very high risk of succumbing to your illness in six months to a year.
How do I get on the transplant list?
Everyone must be evaluated for appropriateness for transplant candidacy, and not everyone will be placed on the transplant waiting list.
If you are eligible and approved for a liver transplant, you’ll be given tests that result in a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. This estimates your chances of surviving your disease during the next three months. Organ allocation is determined by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Livers from deceased donors are allocated first to the sickest patients (those with the highest MELD score).
You must be on the transplant list to receive a transplant, regardless of the type of donor. You have the right and the ability to be on wait lists at multiple transplant centers in the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions From Transplant Candidates
If you think you may need a liver transplant, there are two ways to get started:
Self-referral – You can begin the process by filling out this form to refer yourself to our program at Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence.
Doctor referral – Your primary care physician or liver specialist can also refer you for a transplant evaluation. If you’re already under the care of a specialist, ask them to send a referral to our team.
Once we receive your referral, our transplant team will review your medical history and reach out to guide you through the next steps.
At Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, livers for transplant come from deceased donors. These are people who have passed away and either chose to be an organ donor during their lifetime or whose families gave permission for donation. These generous donations help save lives. Every donated liver is carefully evaluated to ensure the best possible match for patients in need.
You may be considered for a transplant if you:
- Have acute or chronic liver failure. Acute liver failure happens suddenly and can be related to alcohol, medications or other toxins. Chronic liver failure develops over many years with conditions such as viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease and autoimmune disorders.
- Have certain liver cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or cholangiocarcinoma.
- Have cancer that has spread to the liver, such as metastatic colorectal cancer or gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors.
- Are not actively struggling with substance use disorders. Patients must be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle before and after the transplant.
Since every patient is unique, the best way to find out if you’re eligible is to schedule an evaluation with our transplant team.
Not everyone who needs a liver transplant will qualify for transplant. Our care team will complete a comprehensive evaluation and will work with you to decide if a transplant is the best option for your condition.
During this process, we will:
- Review your medical history – We will assess your overall health, past medical conditions and the severity of your liver disease.
- Conduct tests and screenings – These may include blood tests, imaging scans, heart and lung function tests and other assessments to ensure you are healthy enough for a transplant.
- Identify other health conditions – Certain medical conditions, such as severe heart or lung disease, infections or active cancer, can impact your ability to undergo a successful transplant.
- Discuss lifestyle factors – You may need to make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or managing alcohol use, to improve your candidacy.
- Evaluate your support system – A strong support network is essential for a successful recovery. We will discuss your caregivers and ensure you have help after the surgery.
Once your evaluation is complete, our transplant team will determine if you are eligible for a liver transplant. If approved, you will be placed on the transplant waiting list.
If you’re approved for a liver transplant, you will be placed on the national transplant waiting list. Wait times can vary depending on factors such as your medical urgency, blood type and organ availability.
While you are on the waiting list, our transplant team will closely monitor your health through regular follow-up visits, lab tests and imaging to ensure you remain a good candidate for transplant. We will also provide ongoing support and guidance to help you stay as healthy as possible while you wait.
Liver transplant surgery is highly successful, with most patients recovering well and their new liver functioning as expected. However, long-term success depends on several factors, including the patient’s overall health, how sick they were before the transplant and the quality of the donated liver.
At our center, our top priority is ensuring the long-term success of your transplanted liver. This is a team effort – our transplant specialists will provide expert care and monitoring, but your commitment to following medical advice, taking medications as prescribed and maintaining a healthy lifestyle plays a crucial role in your long-term outcome.
Recovery after a liver transplant is different for everyone. One of our main goals is to help you get back to your normal life and doing the things you enjoy as soon as possible.
In the first few months, you’ll focus on healing and regaining strength. During this time, you’ll have regular follow-up visits with your transplant team to monitor your progress, adjust medications and ensure your new liver is working well.
As you continue to recover, you’ll gradually return to your daily activities, including work, exercise and hobbies. Everyone’s recovery timeline is unique, but with the right care and commitment to your health, you can look forward to an active and fulfilling life. Our team will be with you every step of the way.