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According to the American Transplant Foundation, nearly 114,000 people in the United States are waiting for organ transplants. Would you be more apt to donate one of your organs if you knew it would grow back again?
Well, then you’ve come to the right place. You see, a person only needs to donate a portion of their liver to save a life, and it will grow back to normal size in about three months. Isn’t that amazing?
Today let’s look at what you need to know about becoming a living liver donor.
Why should I donate part of my liver?
Most transplanted livers come from deceased donors. However, there are never enough to meet the needs of all the people on the waiting lists. Sadly, about 20% of people awaiting a transplant will die before a liver becomes available.
Many people don’t realize that you can also donate a portion of your liver while you’re still alive. This means a much shorter wait time, so the recipient’s health doesn’t deteriorate as much before the transplant. Often, this also results in shorter recovery time for the recipient and better long-term results.
How do I qualify as a living liver donor?
First, you must go through a complete medical history and physical exam. This assures that it’s safe for you to undergo surgery. Additionally, it ensures that the recipient gets a healthy liver. They also do a psychological evaluation to determine if you can handle the stressors of the liver donation process.
A variety of medical conditions might prevent you from becoming a donor. These include HIV, obesity, diabetes, a history of certain abdominal surgeries, or substance abuse problems.
Although you and the recipient need not have the same blood type, your blood types must be compatible. Other factors for consideration include the ages of both participants and the sizes of the organs.
How is the procedure done?
Surgeries for the donor and recipient happen on the same day. First, doctors remove approximately 40-60% of the donor’s liver.
Next, they must remove the entire diseased liver of the recipient. After transplantation of the new liver, it almost immediately begins to grow and will be at normal size within several weeks.
Who pays for a liver transplant?
The recipient’s health insurance generally covers most medical costs related to the transplantation. That being said, it’s also important to consider other potential personal expenses. These might include lost wages and travel costs.
You can’t receive payment for donating a portion of your liver. Laws in the U.S. forbid this practice.
What are the risks of liver donation?
As with any major surgery, adverse events can happen. These include infection, blood clots, significant pain, or excessive blood loss.
There also may be complications unique to liver surgery, such as bile duct problems or herniations. The transplant team will discuss all potential risks with you in detail before you sign the consent forms.
Donors remain in the hospital for about a week. You can probably return to work in around eight weeks, depending on the requirements of your job. You’ll also undergo periodic exams to assure that there are no long-term complications.
Would you like more information?
Simply contact the transplant center at your local hospital. If this service isn’t available in your area, you can also contact the American Transplant Foundation.
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