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What Are The Risks Of Liver Donation?

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Posted on Sat, 6 Dec 2014
Question: i am a prospective liver donor for my mother who has liver cirrohis... i have fatty liver and have been askes to lose weight to be a viable donor.. attaching ct scan of liver .. what risks should i be aware of as a donor ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Mild hepatosteatosis;following common complication

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am sorry for the situation your mother is in. I am also happy for the noble act of donating her your liver.

1. I have gone through your Ct-scan of liver and noted that you have mild hepatosteatosis, for which, your doctors have advised to lose weight. So, there is no contraindication for being a liver donor.

I also advise not to consume alcohol and follow healthy diet and lifestyle regimen.

2. You will be hospitalized for around 1 week after surgery to keep tracking your health condition.

3. The common complications of being a liver donor include:
- biliary issues: stricture, leakage, hyperbilirubinemia
- stomach/bowel problems: small bowel obstruction, bleeding, gastric outlet obstruction, etc.
- pancreatitis, etc.

You will be in hospital for 1 week, so, you'll be under medical observation.

Good luck!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (6 days later)
is it possible to be a viable donor in my current state ? im already in the process of losing weight... what shoukd be the liver and spleen HU figures and liver speen ratio post weight loss which will qualify me to be a good donor ? i weigh 105 kgs and bmi of 33 currently
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (33 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You can be a viable donor,but should aim to lose a bit more weight...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Thank you for your follow up query.

I have gone through your lab reports again, and I can say that yes, you can be a viable donor. However, you need to lose more weight; the aim is to achieve BMI less than 27.5 and HU around 50-57; the liver spleen ration should be as low as 0.

You should continue with healthy changes in diet and lifestyle regimen.

Good luck!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (15 hours later)
yes i am aware that once i lose weight i can be a viable donor but my moms health could need a transplant more urgently ... i am attaching her discharge summary and latest blood reports for you to guage that ... in that case is it possible to be a viable donor even with current weight and fatty liver or that just wont be acceptable is the question ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please see the following...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Thank you for providing more of your medical data.

Now, let me explain something:
When a person is considered a candidate for donating liver, we aim to achieve:
- success in liver transplant
- the recipient to be fine and can accept the liver (transplant)
- the donor to completely recover and not to suffer any possible complication from donating liver.

So, the healthier your liver would be, the higher the chances to recover after transplant. Your liver function is not damaged to that extend of excluding for being a donor. That's why your doctors has given time to loose weight and bring the liver back to normal function and morphology.

Hope it answered to your queries!
Dr.Klerida
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2266 Questions

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What Are The Risks Of Liver Donation?

Brief Answer: Mild hepatosteatosis;following common complication Detailed Answer: Hi, I am sorry for the situation your mother is in. I am also happy for the noble act of donating her your liver. 1. I have gone through your Ct-scan of liver and noted that you have mild hepatosteatosis, for which, your doctors have advised to lose weight. So, there is no contraindication for being a liver donor. I also advise not to consume alcohol and follow healthy diet and lifestyle regimen. 2. You will be hospitalized for around 1 week after surgery to keep tracking your health condition. 3. The common complications of being a liver donor include: - biliary issues: stricture, leakage, hyperbilirubinemia - stomach/bowel problems: small bowel obstruction, bleeding, gastric outlet obstruction, etc. - pancreatitis, etc. You will be in hospital for 1 week, so, you'll be under medical observation. Good luck! Dr.Klerida