Liver Transplant in Coimbatore – The Liver World in Asso. with Royal Care Hospitals

Frequently asked questions – FAQ

Q1. What is a liver transplant and when is it needed?

It’s a surgical procedure where a impaired or fully nonfunctional liver is replaced with a healthy and functional liver from a donor. Doctors recommend this when the liver can no longer perform its basic functions, and no further treatment is available in medical science.

The most important reason for a liver transplant in patients in Coimbatore and throughout the State of Tamil Nadu is based on end-stage liver cirrhosis, Acute Liver Failure, Primary Liver Cancer under certain conditions, Severe Liver Damage, which is a result of Chronic Hepatitis B or C, Cirrhosis because of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) that has advanced, and Alcoholic Liver Disease at an End-Stage Irreversible Point.

Q2. What types of liver transplants are available in Coimbatore?

Liver transplants are divided into three basic types of liver transplant procedures in Coimbatore:

Living Donor Liver Transplant: A part of an otherwise healthy individual’s liver is removed as a gift from a close relative or other loved one. As the liver is capable of regeneration, it grows back to full size in approximately a few weeks post-surgery, with both the donor and recipient having a new, completely functioning liver. This is the most commonly used form of liver transplantation in India.

Deceased Donor Liver Transplant: An entire liver is taken from someone who has died due to being declared brain dead and has provided consent through their family for organ donation. Waiting periods for a deceased donor liver may be extremely variable.

Split Liver Transplant: In cases where there is only one liver available from a deceased donor, this liver is split in half and then transplanted into two different recipients. Although less common than either the living or deceased forms, this method enables maximum utilization of existing donor livers.

Q3. Who can be a living liver donor in Coimbatore?

A potential living donor will generally need to meet a number of requirements prior to undergoing evaluation for donation. Usually, this includes:

The donor has to be over 18 and under 55 years old.

The donor has to be physically well, without any long term/chronic medical issues.

The donor has to have a compatible blood type as the patient. In selected cases blood group incompatible transplant also can be done.  

The donor has to be an immediate family relative (parent, brother/sister, husband/wife, son/daughter).

The donor’s liver must be large enough and shaped correctly for donation.

The donor has to want to go through all the required medical and psychiatric evaluations before the surgery.

All decisions made by the donor regarding the donation are considered from a standpoint of protecting the donor’s physical and mental health. Also, no one should ever be forced or coerced into donating their organs. Each hospital that accepts live donations has an independent advocate specifically to protect the donor’s right to make their own decision about whether they wish to donate.

Q4. What is the success rate of liver transplants in Coimbatore?

The liver transplant success rate in Coimbatore is around 85 to 90 percent for a one-year survival rate of patients and roughly 72 percent for a five-year survival rate. Liver transplant success rates vary depending on many things such as the age and health status of the patient undergoing surgery; the reason why the patient has a liver disease; the quality and compatibility of the liver donated; and the level of expertise by which the surgical staff performing the transplant, as well as the patient’s compliance with the physician’s orders regarding their post-transplant care.

Q5. How long does it take to recover from a liver transplant in Coimbatore?

The length of time it will take you to recover from a liver transplant can be broken into several stages:

Stages of recovery from a liver transplant:

Stage one in hospital (hospital stay after surgery):

You will initially go to the Liver Intensive Care Unit (LICU), where your health status will be closely monitored immediately post-surgery. Depending on how well you are recovering, most patients remain in the hospital for approximately 2 to 4 Weeks prior to discharge.

Stage two early recovery at home (home recovery for the first three months):

During the First 3 months, you will be required to make multiple follow-up visits with your doctor; have to adhere to taking all prescribed immunosuppressive drugs according to directions; avoid crowds and other people who may possibly infect you with something like influenza or pneumonia; eat a very well-balanced healthy diet; and do not lift anything heavy or exert yourself physically.

Stage three Full Recovery (three months post-liver transplant):

A full liver transplant recovery usually takes 3 months. If everything goes smoothly during your recovery process, you should be able to return to work and live a normal day-to-day life.

Q6. What medications will I need to take after a liver transplant?

After receiving a liver transplant, you will have to take immunosuppressive drugs throughout your lifetime as they keep your body’s immune system from destroying your new liver. Immunosuppressants that patients commonly receive include Tacrolimus, Mycophenolate, and Prednisolone. If you miss one dose of an immunosuppressive drug, this could result in organ rejection, which is a serious health problem requiring immediate attention. For people in Coimbatore who received liver transplants, it is strongly suggested to adhere to the prescribed dosage regimen for all of the drugs; store them safely at home and avoid stopping or reducing your dosages without first consulting with a specialist.

Q7. Which diet is best for you after your liver transplant in Coimbatore?

Diet has a great deal of influence on both recovery from a liver transplant and overall health over time. The following general dietary recommendations are applicable to the majority of patients with liver transplants in Tamil Nadu.

Food to consume: Food that is fresh and cooked at home; steamed or boiled vegetables; well-cooked rice and millets in moderation; low-fat proteins such as fish and dhal; large amounts of filtered water.

Foods to avoid: Raw or under-cooked foods. Street food and restaurant foods (especially during the first year) from locations other than your own home. Unpasteurized dairy products; raw sprouts; Alcohol. Excessive salt and sugar may cause problems with high blood pressure and/or obesity.

Q8. Does health insurance cover liver transplant costs in Coimbatore?

Yes, almost all Indian health insurers provide coverage for liver transplantation; however, this can vary based on the type of health insurer and how long you have had an insurance policy.

Below are some details about health insurance in relation to liver transplantation:

Almost all private Indian insurance companies, such as Star Health, United India, and National Insurance, provide liver transplant insurance coverage.

However, it typically takes 2 to 4 years after purchasing a health insurance plan until you can receive liver transplant coverage through your health insurance provider.

Pre-existing liver problems may be excluded from many older health insurance plans.

Some governmental programs that may be able to assist with the cost of a liver transplant include the CMCHIS for low-income Tamil Nadu residents and PM-JAY for economically disadvantaged families.

Q9. What are the signs of liver transplant rejection and when should I go to the hospital immediately?

Organ rejection can happen even with proper medication. In Coimbatore’s hot climate, dehydration and heat can add extra stress to the transplanted liver. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following warning signs: fever above 38 degrees Celsius, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark-coloured urine, severe tiredness or unusual weakness, pain or tenderness in the upper right abdomen where the liver is, nausea or vomiting that does not stop, or swelling in the stomach or legs.

Early treatment of rejection significantly improves outcomes, so never delay seeking help if something feels wrong.

Q10. Can I lead a normal life after a liver transplant in Coimbatore?

Most liver transplant survivors in Coimbatore are able to lead very full, active, and productive lives once they have recovered fully from their transplant. Liver transplant recipients may be able to live many years if they take care of themselves properly after their transplant and continue to take the medications as directed by their transplant physician. Many transplant recipients will resume employment, travel, spend time with family members, and engage in normal daily activities (within 6 to 12 months of their transplant). To accomplish this requires taking all prescribed medications as directed; seeing the transplant physicians regularly; maintaining a healthy diet and doing some form of low-impact physical activity; avoiding alcohol at all times.

Q11. How do I sign up for a deceased donor liver transplant in Tamil Nadu?

Deceased donor organ transplants are organized in Tamil Nadu through TRANSTAN (Tamil Nadu Network for Organ Sharing). In order to place your name on the waiting list for a deceased donor liver in Coimbatore, your transplant team from Royal Care Hospital in Coimbatore will evaluate better and recommend you a perfectly suitable medical provider. 

Q12. Is there any financial assistance available for liver transplant patients in Coimbatore?

Yes. In addition to the medical fundraising sites such as Ketto and Milaap that have assisted thousands of Indian families with funding their loved ones’ liver transplants, hospitals in Coimbatore provide EMI financing to patients who are unable to fund the total cost of their treatment at one time. Contact your hospital’s Medical Social Worker/Finance Counselor to find out about all of the options you may be eligible for.