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After a liver transplant, the person usually stays in the hospital for a few weeks so that the body's reaction to the new organ is monitored and observed, preventing complications that may happen. After this period, the person can go home, however, they must follow some medical recommendations to promote their quality of life, such as the use of immunosuppressive drugs, for example.
After the transplant, the person can have a normal life, being necessary to follow the doctor's instructions, be regularly monitored through medical consultations and tests and have healthy life habits.
1. At the hospital
After the transplant, the person must be admitted to the hospital for about 1 to 2 weeks to monitor the pressure, blood glucose, blood clotting, kidney function and others that are important to check if the person is well and infections can be prevented.
Initially, the person must remain in the ICU, however, from the moment they are stable, they can go to the room to continue to be monitored. Still in the hospital, the person can perform physiotherapy sessions to improve breathing capacity and decrease the risk of motor complications such as muscle stiffness and shortening, thrombosis and others.
2. At home
From the moment the person is stabilized, there are no signs of rejection and the tests are considered normal, the doctor can discharge the person as long as the person follows the treatment at home.
Treatment at home should be done with the use of immunosuppressive remedies indicated by the doctor and that act directly on the immune system, reducing the risk of rejection to the transplanted organ. However, as a consequence there is a greater risk of developing infections. Thus, it is important that the dose of the medication is adequate so that the organism is able to act against invading infectious agents at the same time that organ rejection does not occur.
Some medicines that can be used are prednisone, cyclosporine, azathioprine, globulins and monoclonal antibodies, but the dose varies from one person to another because it depends on a number of factors that must be evaluated by the doctor such as the disease that led to the transplant, age, weight and other diseases such as heart problems and diabetes.
In addition to the use of medicines, it is recommended that the person have healthy lifestyle habits, avoiding the consumption of alcoholic beverages and fatty foods, and practicing light physical activity that should be recommended by the physical education professional.
Possible side effects of medications
With the use of immunosuppressants, symptoms such as body swelling, weight gain, increased amount of hair on the body, especially on the face of women, osteoporosis, poor digestion, hair loss and thrush may appear. Thus, one should observe the symptoms that appear and talk to the doctor so that he can indicate what can be done to control these unpleasant symptoms, without jeopardizing the immunosuppression scheme.
When transplantation is indicated
Liver transplantation can be indicated when the organ is severely compromised and stops working, as it can happen in case of cirrhosis, fulminant hepatitis or cancer in this organ, in people of any age, including children.
There is an indication for transplantation when drugs, radiotherapy or chemotherapy are unable to restore their proper functioning. In this case, the patient must continue performing the treatment proposed by the doctor and carrying out the necessary tests until a compatible liver donor appears, who is within the ideal weight and without any health problem.
The transplant can be indicated in case of acute or chronic diseases, which have little chance of appearing again after a transplant, such as:
- Hepatical cirrhosis;
- Metabolic diseases;
- Sclerosing cholangitis;
- Biliary tract atresia;
- Chronic hepatitis;
- Liver failure.
Some diseases that may not be suitable for transplantation are hepatitis B because the virus tends to settle in the 'new' liver, in case of cirrhosis caused by alcoholism because if the person continues to drink excessively the 'new' organ will also be damaged. Thus, the doctor must indicate when the transplant can or cannot be performed based on the person's liver disease and the person's general health.
How to prepare for the transplant
In order to prepare for this type of procedure, you must maintain a good diet, avoiding foods rich in fat and sugar, giving preference to vegetables, fruits and lean meats. In addition, it is important to inform the doctor of any symptoms that are present so that he can investigate and initiate appropriate treatment.
When the doctor comes in contact, calling the person for the transplant, he must immediately stop eating and drinking, stay on full fast and go to the indicated hospital as soon as possible for the procedure to be performed.
The person who will receive the donated organ must have a companion of legal age and bring all the necessary documents to be admitted to receive the organ. After surgery it is normal for the person to be in the ICU for at least 10 to 14 days.