A liver transplant is a life-changing event that offers a new chance for a healthy and fulfilling life to people who have liver cancer. Although a transplant is a major event in anyone’s life, it is equally important to maintain a healthy lifestyle after the procedure for its long-term success.

In this blog, we have brought you some primary lifestyle changes that will improve your recovery after a liver transplant. I hope the tips we are sharing will help you achieve the desired outcomes of the surgery.

What is a Liver Transplant?

A liver transplant is a surgical procedure to replace the damaged or diseased liver with a new and healthy donor liver. The 8-hour-long procedure is typically for those individuals whose liver is no longer functioning due to conditions like liver failure, cirrhosis, liver cancer, or certain genetic disorders.

It is a life-saving treatment for people dealing with acute liver failure. The procedure involves removing the diseased liver and replacing it with the healthy liver of a living or dead donor. In the case of living donors, only a portion of the liver is transplanted as the liver can regenerate.

Talking about life after liver transplant, recipients have to take lifelong medication to prevent the rejection of the new liver by the immune system. Though this treatment option has several significant risks, it also can give new life to individuals dealing with life-threatening liver conditions.

Lifestyle Change After Liver Transplant: Empowering Recovery

 Recovering from a liver transplant surgery is not easy. However, proper guidance and care can make the recovery process much easier.

Long-term care for patients who have received a liver transplant includes:

• Continuous monitoring of the new organ to ensure its optimal performance.
• Regular diet and exercise are also important to achieve long-term benefits.

Here are some other additional requirements to achieve a healthy lifestyle:

Diet

 Diet plays an extremely important role in your life after the transplant. A proper diet should include proteins and vitamins with adequate amounts of starch, fat, and carbohydrates. It will assist you in physical recovery. Keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check with a low sodium and low-fat diet. Keep the body hydrated with optimal water and fresh fruit intake.

Avoid alcohol at Any cost.

Avoid your intake of alcohol completely after the liver transplant surgery. Those who have alcoholic liver disease should especially stay away from alcohol. It will help your body accept the new liver. Do not take alcohol at all, as it can lead to complications post a liver transplant surgery.

 Medications

After a liver transplant, you need to take immunosuppressant medications to prevent your body from rejecting the new liver. These medications will suppress your immune system and lower the risks of complications. It will be extremely crucial for you to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully regarding medication management. Also, please attend all the follow-up appointments to monitor the medication level and side effects.

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise is beneficial for your overall health after the surgery. It also helps to reduce the risk of complications after the transplant. However, it is also essential to start slowly and gradually and then increase the intensity of the exercise. It would help if you worked with an expert physical therapist who can suggest a proper exercise routine after the transplant.

Regular Follow Ups

Regular follow-ups are very necessary to monitor liver function and detect any complications. If you get a liver transplant operation in India, you must attend all the follow-up appointments. It will help your doctor identify any potential complications at an early stage.

Get enough sleep

Sleep is essential for recovery after a liver transplant as it improves your overall health and also helps improve your immune system. Try to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.

Manage stress

Stress can harm your immune system. Stress increases your chances of rejection of a new liver. Therefore, we recommend all patients undergoing liver transplant surgery engage in physical and stress-relieving activities.

Navigating the Emotional and Mental Challenges of Life Post-Transplant

A liver transplant is a life-changing event, and it is normal to go through multiple emotions while on the road to recovery. It is crucial to address any mental and emotional health concerns that may arise at the time of recovery.

Support System: A constant support system after the surgery makes recovery easy. Having your family members, friends, support groups, and mental health professionals by your side will make your recovery fast. Life after a liver transplant opens new horizons of health and hope.

Mental Health: It is very common to experience depression, anxiety, and mental health issues after the surgery. If you experience any such symptoms, please do not hesitate to take the help of professionals.

Please don’t give up: A liver transplant is a major surgery, but it’s also a second chance at life. Don’t give up on your dreams or goals just because you’ve had a liver transplant. You can live a long and healthy life with hard work and dedication.

If you want to get the best liver transplant surgery in India, contact Cross Border Care today. We are the best medical consultants in India and will help you find the right doctor and hospital for your medical treatment in India.

We believe that with the right support system and resources, patients can navigate life after the liver transplant surgery and build a new normal that supports their overall health and well-being.