liver transplant

A liver transplant is a life-saving surgery that replaces a sick liver with a healthy one. Many people need it when their liver stops working properly. But what is liver transplant really, and how does it help?

Let’s explore this step-by-step.

What Is Liver Transplant?

To begin with, what is liver transplant? It is a surgery where a damaged liver is removed and a healthy one is placed inside the body. Since the liver helps with digestion, cleans the blood, and stores energy, it becomes very hard to live when it gets sick. Therefore, doctors may suggest a liver transplant to help the body work properly again.

Why Is a Liver Transplant Needed?

Many conditions can harm the liver over time. For example, problems like hepatitis B or C, liver cancer, cirrhosis, alcohol use, and fatty liver disease can make the liver stop working. When these problems become too serious, medicine alone may not help. In that case, a liver transplant becomes necessary to save the patient’s life.

Can Liver Be Transplanted?

Yes, it can! In fact, this is one of the most common questions — can liver be transplanted? Unlike some other organs, the liver can grow back. That means a part of a healthy liver from a living person can be given to someone who needs it. This special ability allows living donors to help save lives.

How Does a Liver Transplant Work?

Now, let’s understand how does a liver transplant work. During the surgery, doctors take out the old liver and carefully place the new one in the same spot. Blood vessels and bile ducts are then connected. After the surgery, patients stay in the hospital for a few days or weeks.

In addition, they need to take special medicines called immunosuppressants. These medicines stop the body from rejecting the new liver. Therefore, regular checkups and blood tests are very important after surgery.

Types of Liver Transplants

There are two major types of liver transplants:

  • Living Donor Liver Transplant – Here, a family member or loved one donates a part of their liver. Both the donor and the patient recover over time.
  • Deceased Donor Liver Transplant – In this case, the liver is taken from someone who has passed away. Their liver is given to the person who needs it most.

Both types of liver transplant work well, and doctors choose the best one based on the patient’s condition.

What Is the Cost of Liver Transplant in India?

Many people also ask, what is the cost of liver transplant in India? The cost depends on the hospital and the patient’s needs. Usually, it ranges between ₹20 to ₹35 lakhs. This includes surgery, medicines, ICU care, and follow-up.
However, some government hospitals and NGOs may help reduce the cost for those who can’t afford it. So, when people ask what is the cost of liver transplant in India, it’s important to remember that support is sometimes available.

What Happens After the Transplant?

After the Liver grafting, patients slowly return to normal life. First, they stay in the ICU, and then move to a regular hospital room. Medicines are taken daily, and follow-up visits are very important.

Moreover, eating healthy food, sleeping well, avoiding stress, and light exercise can make the healing faster. With the right care, many patients go back to school, work, and enjoy daily activities.

How Does a Liver transplantation Work for Children?

For children, how does a Liver transplantation work is a bit different. Usually, a parent donates a small part of their liver. Kids heal well but must take extra care. Pediatric doctors and special care units are involved to help children recover smoothly.

Can Liver Be Transplanted More Than Once?

Yes, it can. In some rare cases, a second liver transplant may be needed if the first one fails. This is called re-transplantation. However, doctors only choose this when truly required.

Risks and Safety

Like any surgery, a liver transplant also has some risks. For example:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Organ rejection
  • Side effects from medicines

However, most of these risks can be managed if patients follow the doctor’s advice and attend regular checkups.

Final Words from Dr. Anubhav H Kumar

In conclusion, a Hepatic transplant is a powerful medical solution for people with liver failure. So, what is liver transplant? It’s a second chance at life. And when someone wonders can liver be transplanted, the answer is yes — and many lives have already been saved through it.

Although what is the cost of liver transplant in India can sound scary, help is often available. With the right plan, support, and a skilled team, recovery is possible.

If you or a loved one is facing serious liver issues, don’t delay. Talk to a specialist and take the first step toward better health.

📍 Dr. Anubhav H Kumar HPB & Liver Transplant Surgeon MS, MCh | 12+ Years Experience

What is the success rate of liver transplant?

Liver transplant success rates are generally high, with a 1-year survival rate of around 90-95% and a 5-year survival rate of 75-80%. These rates can vary depending on factors like the type of transplant (living donor vs. deceased donor) and the patient's overall health. Bansal Hospital Bhopal notes that living donor transplants often have slightly higher success rates due to the use of a healthy donor liver, while deceased donor transplants may have slightly lower rates due to the challenges of sourcing organs after brain death.

What is the life expectancy of a liver transplant patient?

How long will my liver transplant last? Liver transplant can have excellent outcomes. Recipients have been known to live a normal life over 30 years after the operation.

Can you ever drink after a liver transplant?

Avoid alcohol If your liver transplant was due to an alcohol-related disease, you must never drink alcohol again as you risk harming your transplanted liver. This also applies if alcohol was thought to have contributed to your liver disease, even if it was not the main cause.