How to Take Care of Yourself After a Liver Transplant?

People with liver transplants have to take care at home to see positive results. Many factors contribute to the success of the liver transplant. The factors that contribute to quick recovery post-surgery include age, general health, the severity of the liver problem, complications after surgery, and infections. Patients with a liver transplant can recover quickly by keeping a positive attitude, understanding the entire process, strong willpower, and support from family. 

Once the patient is sent home after a liver transplant the recovery starts at home. The hospital team will give you a discharge summary that will include detailed instructions on how to take care at home. The patient and family members have to understand the protocols to be followed at home for quick recovery. They have to ensure that proper blood tests, scans, and X-rays are done to monitor the functioning of the new liver. The patient and family should know about the warning signs that should be brought to the notice of the doctor immediately. If you have any doubts, you must consult with the hospital team to ask any questions. 

Few Tips that Can Help Patients to Take Care at Home After the Liver Transplant

1. Avoid alcohol drinking: A person with a liver transplant should avoid drinking alcohol because a transplanted liver cannot tolerate harmful chemicals included in alcohol. 
2. Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals: When you reach home, you must avoid exposure to toxic chemicals such as paint removers, drain cleaners, paint, insecticides, and pesticides as these can be harmful. Even the fumes of such chemicals can produce harmful effects on a person with a liver transplant. People with liver transplants must avoid skin contact and inhalation of harmful chemicals to prevent infection.
3. Drink more water: People with a liver transplant must drink mineral water and not tap water. The drinking water should be obtained from a reliable source. If it is not available then one must boil water before drinking. Unsafe drinking water could be the potential cause of infection in a patient with a liver transplant. Maintain general health through proper nutrition, rest, exercise, and stress reduction.
4. Avoid anyone suffering from infectious diseases: People with liver transplants should avoid meeting too many guests because people suffering from infectious diseases can be a threat and can transmit the infection to the patient. Therefore, do not allow anyone suffering from colds, mumps, measles, flu, and chickenpox to enter the room where the person with a liver transplant rests. 
5. Take medications on time: Once you reach home you must take all your prescribed medications on time to prevent infection. You must understand the schedule of taking medication and if any family member is available he/she can also understand the schedule so that you do not miss any medication. Practice proper handwashing, especially before eating, after touching objects that carry microorganisms (money, doorknobs, and public telephones), and after using the bathroom.
6. Personal hygiene: It is also important to maintain personal hygiene to prevent infection. You must wash your hands before eating food and after using the washroom. Wash your hands with soap to prevent infection. 
7. Avoid pets in the home: People with a liver transplant should avoid coming in contact with pets. The urine, feces, bird dropping, and vomit of some pet animals are infectious and can cause severe fungal infections in people with a weak immune system. Therefore, it is better to avoid coming in contact with pets to reduce the risk of infection. 
8. Follow instructions: People with liver transplants must follow the instructions given by the doctor at the time of discharge from the hospital. You must avoid lifting heavy weights and doing extensive exercise. Walking around the house is recommended and doing daily living activities can help in quick recovery. Avoid driving a vehicle until your doctor asks you to do so. 
9. Keep your house clean: It is important to clean the house as much as possible. You can use a disinfectant to keep your house clean. It will help in reducing the chance of infection. 
10. Diet and nutrition: Diet plays an important role in quick recovery after any type of surgery. The liver helps in the metabolism and digestion of nutrients. Therefore, following a strict diet after a liver transplant is very important. You may have less appetite after a liver transplant. Your appetite will start improving within a few days. You must take a high-protein diet to recover quickly. Proper care should be taken to cook the food. Proper hygiene should be maintained while cooking food for a patient with a liver transplant. Meat should be washed thoroughly as it could be the most common source of infection. 
11. Wound care: Proper wound care is necessary when you are at home. The dressing should be changed after a few days. Avoid bathing in a bathtub because the wound should not be soaked in water. 

Thus, a patient with a liver transplant should follow all the instructions given by the doctor after reaching home. This will not only help in quick recovery but will also help in adjusting your body to the new organ.