For more information about Porter Transplant Center or to make an appointment, please call 303-715-7008, or toll free 1-855-869-5164.

What to expect during the liver transplant process

• Evaluation – The evaluation will involve both testing and meeting with the multidisciplinary transplant team. You will be assigned an RN coordinator to be your guide through this process. During your evaluation, you will meet with the RN coordinator, transplant surgeon, hepatologist, transplant pharmacist, social worker, dietician and a financial coordinator. The testing includes labs, imaging studies, cardiac testing and pulmonary function. After testing is completed, your case is reviewed by a multidisciplinary selection committee to determine your candidacy for transplant. If approved your name would then be placed on the waiting list. The team will explain to you how the wait list works, what a MELD score is, and other things you need to be aware of before your liver transplant procedure.
• Procedure – Once on the wait list, an RN coordinator will call you when an organ has become available for you. The liver transplant surgery itself usually takes about 3 to 5 hours, and you will be in the ICU after the surgery is complete.
• Recovery and post-transplant care – The hospital stay after a liver transplant can vary from 10 days to three weeks or more depending on your health at the time of transplant. After being discharged from the hospital, you will have several outpatient clinic appointments per week to closely monitor your recovery.

During each of these processes you are under the care of a multi-disciplinary team to ensure all your needs are met.