Around half the people who have had a liver transplant will find that their body tries to reject the new liver. This is usually within the first three months and is picked up in routine tests. Upping the dose of immunosuppressant drugs usually sorts this out.
If this does not work then you will be re-admitted to hospital, put on steroids and given higher doses of anti-rejection drugs. It is very rare for someone's body to completely reject the liver. You should make sure that you take your medications properly to avoid this happening.
Contact your GP, transplant coordinator or liver unit if you experience any of the following:
- flu-like symptoms
- fever above 38ºC
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- yellow eyes or skin
- pale stools
- dark urine
- itching
- swelling of the abdomen or ankles
- redness
- localised pain, warmth, swelling or discharge from the wound that smells
- any sudden changes.
Call 999 if you experience any of the following:
- difficulty breathing
- feeling dizzy or faint
- chest pain
- severe pain.
In the time leading up to a transplant you will probably have been very ill and your normal activities will have become severely restricted. After the operation you should see a huge improvement in your quality of life and, with some adjustments, you should be able to lead a normal, healthy life.