When you no longer require SICU care, you will be moved to the transplant floor. Transplant patients have semi-private rooms and visiting hours are from noon to 8 p.m. The nurses on the transplant floor are specially trained in taking care of transplant patients. Your medical care is provided by a team of doctors lead by the transplant surgeons. Other specialists make rounds with the team and provide assistance with your day-to-day care.

The transplant team members will review the liver transplant flow sheet every day on rounds to determine plans for ongoing care. You will be given a post transplant handbook in which to record important blood tests and vital signs. You can start by recording values from the flow sheet and vital signs from your nurse.

During this recovery time, you will feel better on some days than on others. This is normal. It is important for you and your family to remember that not all patients recover at the same rate. Several side effects are very common, including trouble sleeping, depression, backache, muscle cramps, lack of appetite or feeling full after just a small portion of food.

Several activities are important to your recovery. You will be asked to cough and deep breathe every couple of hours to expand your lungs and prevent pneumonia. Walking may be difficult at first, but it will help you to gradually build strength. Walking at least four times a day will help improve circulation and prevent blood clots in your legs. Physical and occupational therapists will help you begin an exercise program.

Fresh flowers, but not potted plants, are allowed in your hospital room on the transplant floor. Tell friends and relatives that you can receive artificial flowers, balloons and cards to brighten up your hospital room. After you go home, houseplants and gardening should not be a problem for you, as long as you wear gloves. Pets are also allowed at home, although it is best if you do not have birds in the house. If you have any questions regarding these topics, please let us know.

Learning how to take care of yourself after you go home is very important. You will receive a Post Transplant Handbook and the transplant coordinator will review important information with you before you are discharged. To make it easier to learn your medications, they will be kept at your bedside so you can practice setting them up. Your nurse will need to see all medications before you take them. You will also be taught to make changes on your medicine card. You will need to take your temperature and blood pressure twice a day after discharge and will also need to weigh yourself every morning, recording these results in your handbook.

Returning to work is different for each person. Physical activity and heavy lifting should not be a problem after you are healed. If you have any questions about other occupational hazards, please discuss them with the transplant physician.

Together, our goal is to return you to a full and productive lifestyle.

Social Support from Friends & Family

It is extremely important for you to keep in mind that liver transplant surgery is a major surgery. You may be extremely weak after your surgery, and you will need someone to stay with you, 24 hours a day, for a variable period of time after surgery. This may be a family member or friend. The degree of weakness you experience will depend upon your physical condition prior to surgery. It also depends upon how well your surgery went and if you had any complications. Listed below are some of the activities you will need the most help with after your discharge:

* Getting up and moving around
* Taking care of your incision
* Remembering your medications - which ones to take at what time, and how    many of each
* Transportation to the lab twice a week and clinic (once a week for the first two - three months)
* Performing activities of daily living including bathing and dressing
* Preparing meals and adhering to dietary restrictions (if there are any)

You need someone to be available and to help you during this recovery period. Remember, in most cases this may be a temporary arrangement. The plan is that you get back to the point where you can take care of yourself and, if possible, return to work.

If it is determined that you need extensive physical therapy and assistance with activities of daily living, you may be discharged to a rehabilitation facility. If you are in a situation where you can be cared for at home, in-home physical therapy and nursing care can be arranged for you. Many of these arrangements depend both on your needs and your insurance.