Supporting Loved Ones through the Transplant Process

Going through the liver transplant process by itself is a lot of emotion, mental and physical stress. It is so important for loved ones to be there for the transplant patient. In the beginning when the patient is sick and trying to get on the list for a possible donor, to finding the doctors to work with who will perform their surgery, to learning where they will stay and what hospital they will spend some time in. Loved ones need to understand that getting a donor that matches will not happen over night and they need to help the patient in being understanding and uplifting that they will find a match.

 

Loving Support System Before and After Surgery

 

Patients need a support system to share everything about the liver transplant process with. Not just before the liver transplant, but after surgery when they possibly look different because of the medication. Patients have to take at least one medication called Cyclosporine to help the liver get along with the patients body. Cyclosporine makes a person gain weight and bloat up a little. They will get chipmunk-like cheeks. The last thing a patient needs at this time is to get any references of being called fat. They will need some loving support through this.

Eating a Special Diet

 

They may have a diet restriction before or after the surgery. Loved ones need to be understanding about this and work with the patient on that. In some ways it is like an overweight person going on a special diet, except that it is for much different reasons. A liver patient may have to eat certain things before going in for surgery. And after surgery they’ll have a restricted diet again, but this time it’ll be temporarily. If loved ones go out of their way to temporarily help the patient with their post-surgery, it is so helpful.

 

For Those Who Have Never Had Surgery

 

The surgery itself is quite scary if a patient has never had surgery before. Patients need their loved ones for hugs, and to know that they will be okay, that the surgery is going to go smoothly and they will back to their healthy self again. And not to worry about things at home or at work since everything has been taken care of as well as it could be. They need to focus on getting better. That should be their main focus.