• Departments & Services
• For Patients
• Research & Trials
• Education
• Find a Doctor

Penn Transplant Institute

Liver

• About Our Program
• About Our Team
• Liver Transplant Process
  • Transplant Evaluation
  • Before Transplant
  • Transplant Procedure
  • After Transplant
• Living Donor Transplant
  • Donor Evaluation
  • Donor Surgery
  • After Donor Surgery
• Outcomes
• Clinical Trials
• Events and Support Groups
• FAQs
• Helpful Resources

After Living Donor Liver Surgery

When the surgery is complete, the donor remains in the recovery room for observation before being brought to the specialized transplant floor for post-operative care. The donor usually remains in the hospital for five to seven days following surgery. It is recommended that donors request a three-month leave following the surgery, although most find they are able to return to work sooner.

The donor returns to the Penn Transplant Institute for two or three visits in the first month following surgery. These visits include physical exams as well as lab testing. CT or MRI scans are performed three months following surgery to determine how the liver is regenerating.  Usually, most of the liver that was removed during the surgery grows back in the first month.

Donor risks

While the incidence of serious complications is very low, they are possible. All risks are outlined for the donor before the evaluation. Potential serious risks include bleeding and/or infection, liver failure, injury to the bile duct and complications from general anesthesia. At the Penn Transplant Institute, a specialized team of surgeons is dedicated to the donor operation. This team is committed to returning the donor to a fully functional and healthy life.

For more information, please view our patient guide.