After transplant surgery, patients will remain in the hospital until they are ready to go to a nearby hotel. Length of stay in the hospital depends on the patient’s health; how well the new liver is working and the patient’s ability to care for the new liver.

Patients and their caregivers will receive pre and post-transplant educational materials.  They will learn:

• How to care for the liver
• How to care for themselves after they are discharged, including monitoring of lab values
• About their new medications and how frequently these must be taken
• About possible complications, such as rejection and infection

Our goal at MUSC Transplant Center is to provide the patient and family with key information about the pre-transplant evaluation and listing process, transplant surgery and post-transplant care so the patient can make an informed decision about transplant and successfully participate in their post-transplant care.

The information will be provided before wait list placement and again before transplant surgery.  Patients are asked to review and sign a Patient Acknowledgement Form, indicating they have reviewed and understand all of the key information.

After the being sent home, patients can receive monthly care here at MUSC or at our outreach clinic in Greenville.  Once at home, patients increase the chances of their transplant being successful by:

• Taking new medications daily
• Washing hands frequently
• Avoiding sick people
• Wearing gloves when gardening