Becoming a living liver donor
Recovery from surgery
After surgery, living donors need time and help from family and friends before getting back to routine activities. Donors should always speak with their transplant doctor about the right time to return to their activities. Here are some tasks and the average time living liver donors take to return to each.
Activities
Time it takes after surgery
(these will vary for each donor)
Stay in the hospital
Time it takes after surgery
About 1 week
Get back to work
Time it takes after surgery
Around 6-8 weeks if your job has less physical tasks, such as desk work or you work from home
Longer if your job has more physical tasks or labor
Lift heavy items
Time it takes after surgery
About 8-12 weeks
Get back to pre-donation activities
Time it takes after surgery
About 8-12 weeks
Drive a car
Time it takes after surgery
About 2-4 weeks
Every donor is different. Some donors get back to their lives quickly. Others say they feel tired for quite a while after donating.
Since you do not know how you will feel, it is important to have family and friends ready to help you for as long as you need.
How well will my liver work?
Right after surgery, your liver begins to grow back (regenerate). It will return to full size in 2-3 months. Even while the liver regrows, the part that is left can make up for the work that the full liver normally does.
You may feel tired while your liver regrows. Your doctor may tell you to:
• Take naps as needed
• Add more protein to your diet
Caring for your long-term health
After donation, living donors need to take good care of themselves and have yearly medical check-ups with their regular doctor.
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All living donors need certain tests 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after surgery. Ask the transplant team:
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What tests will I need?
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Where will the tests happen? Such as at the transplant center, a local lab, or at your own doctor’s office.
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Are there telehealth or virtual options?
The recipient’s insurance covers the above services.
Follow-ups are very important
Follow-up visits help the transplant center make sure donors are healthy.
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As a donor, this is also your chance to talk about how you feel and how you can be as healthy as you can.
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Donors should always go to follow-ups after donating and see their regular doctor every year. They should always let them know they’ve donated a part of their liver so they can check basic lab levels, including liver function.