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| Liver Transplant Support - How
will I know |
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How do I know if I may need
a liver transplant?
Your doctor will make the decision to make an appointment
to go to a hospital that performs liver transplants.
You will meet most of the liver transplant team. A consultant
will be appointed to head the team which includes a
liver transplant surgeon and also liver specialists,
nurses, and other health care professionals. The transplant
assessment team will arrange blood tests, x rays, and
other tests to help make the decision about whether
you need a transplant and whether a transplant can be
carried out safely.
Other aspects of your health-like your heart, lungs,
kidneys, immune system, and mental health-will also
be checked to be sure you're strong enough for surgery
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How
long is the waiting time to receive a new liver?
If you need a transplant, your name will be placed on a national
waiting list. Your blood type, body size, and how sick you are
all play a role in when you will receive a liver. Currently,
the sickest people are at the top of the list, so you may have
to wait longer.
While you wait for your new liver, you will be seen regularly
by your doctor and your consultant to monitor your health
and to advise how to stay as fit as you can for the pending
surgery
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What happens
when a liver becomes available?
We would like to be able to put you in contact with other
liver transplant recipients to unload your worries and
fears and hopefully reassure. The editor would welcome
your experiences of how the prospect of liver transplantation
affected you and any queries that you would like answered
from someone who has been there. We would also like to
hear from you who wish to take part and tell a short part
of your story to others. If there are relatives of liver
donors that would like to be involved in any way, to tell
their story and express their opinions, we would also
like to hear from you. We encourage all who wish to play
a part in this site and have their say in a compassionate
and genuine way that will not offend others.
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We look forward to your comments and stories that will help
others and possibly yourself.
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