Oncology

Liver Transplant Surgery

Also known as: liver transplant, liver transplant surgery, hepatic transplant, whole liver transplant, living donor liver transplant, deceased donor liver transplant

Replacing a cancer-affected liver with a healthy donor liver

Last Updated: October 31, 2026

About This Disease

Learn about the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis.

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Non-Surgical Treatment

Explore conservative treatment options before surgery.

Liver Disease Treatment

Surgery Type

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Calculate costfor Deceased Donor Liver Transplant

What happens in this surgery?

Patient is matched to a donor liver via waitlist
Diseased liver is removed through an abdominal incision
Donor liver is connected to blood vessels and bile duct
Patient is monitored closely in intensive care afterward

Ready to take the next step?

Connect with a specialist to see if Liver Transplant Surgery is right for you.

Post Surgery Recovery

What to expect after your procedure

Patients typically spend 1–2 weeks in the hospital after transplant, including initial monitoring in intensive care. Full recovery, including adjustment to lifelong immunosuppressive therapy, generally takes 3–6 months. Regular blood tests and follow-up visits continue long-term to monitor liver function and organ rejection.

Hospital Stay

1–7 days

Varies by procedure

Initial Rest

1–2 weeks

Light activity only

Follow-up Visit

2–4 weeks

Wound check & review

Full Recovery

6–12 weeks

Back to normal activity

Recovery & Wellness Tips

Complete full transplant eligibility evaluation
Register on transplant waitlist if applicable
Coordinate living donor testing if relevant
Optimize nutrition and treat active infections
Arrange long-term post-transplant support at home
Review lifelong medication commitment with the team