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A liver transplant is a surgical procedure that replaces a liver that is diseased or no longer functions properly with a liver from a deceased donor or a portion of a healthy liver from a living donor. The living donor can be:
Someone who is emotionally related to the recipient such as a good friend, a significant other, or a spouse.
A family member of the recipient, such as a parent, adult child, brother, or sister.
Other biologically related relatives, such as an aunt, uncle, or cousin.
A person who has heard about the transplant candidate’s need.
Altruistic donation or non-directed living-donor. This means that the donor does not know or name the recipient of the donated liver. The match is based on blood type compatibility and medical need. The donor may choose not to know the recipient or may meet if both agree.
When the living donor is a family member, it is called a living related donor liver transplant.
Living related donor liver transplant is usually used as an alternative to waiting for a deceased donor liver or an altruistic donation to become available. A liver transplant from a living donor is possible because the human liver can regenerate and return to its normal size, capacity, and volume within a couple of months after surgical removal of part of the organ. The transplanted liver portion in the recipient will grow and restore normal liver function as well.
Not everyone can be a living related donor. The donor has to be healthy and able to safely undergo major surgery. In addition, the donor’s blood type, age, and organ size are critical considerations in determining whether the recipient and the donor are a match. Extensive health and psychological evaluation are required to make sure that the donor and the recipient are a match, as well as to assess the donor’s mental and physical health.
A liver transplant surgery from a living donor is usually scheduled in advance.
The surgeons will first operate on the donor. The surgery is done under general anesthesia, a portion of the donor's liver is removed through an incision in the abdomen. Both the left and right lobe of the liver can be used for donation. The specific part of the liver donated depends on the donor liver’s size and the recipient’s needs. Around 40% to 70% of the donor’s liver is removed for transplantation.
Once the donor's liver is ready, the surgeons will perform the liver transplant on you (the recipient). During this surgery, an anesthesiologist will give you a general anesthetic. After you are anesthetized, the surgeons will create an incision under the ribs on both sides of your belly and separate the diseased liver from the nearby organs and structures to carefully remove it. Then, the donated liver portion will be placed in your body by connecting the bile ducts and blood vessels to the new liver. The final step is closing the incision with stitches or surgical staples.
After a living related donor liver transplant, you should expect to spend 5 to 10 days in the hospital. Expect to stay in Brazil for at least a month after you are discharged from the hospital as you need to attend follow-up checkups. Your liver transplant team will design a checkup schedule for you. Laboratory blood tests are typically obtained twice a week after transplantation and will be reduced gradually. You must attend all of the follow-up checkups and blood tests because your doctor needs to check your condition.
The recovery period depends on the severity of your condition before your liver transplant surgery. In general, the full recovery time until you feel fully healed after your liver transplant surgery can take around six months or more. However, you should be able to return to some of your normal activities, including work (office job) within 2 to 4 months following your surgery. Simple activities of daily living may be resumed within a few weeks.
You will take medication for the rest of your life – the medications are called immunosuppressant (anti-rejection medicines), which works by keeping your immune system from attacking your new liver. They are used to help the transplanted liver survive in your body.
You will take other medications – you may need other types of medications to help reduce the risk of other complications.
Avoid crowds or anyone who has an infection – anti-rejection medicines affect your immune system, increasing your risk of infections. Therefore, you need to avoid contact with anyone who has an infection or crowds for the first few months.
Eat a well-balanced diet –to help you recover and keep your new liver healthy. A dietitian from your transplant team will discuss your nutrition and diet needs. In general, your diet should be low in fat, salt, cholesterol, and sugar. You also need to avoid alcohol.
Exercise regularly – walk as much as you can soon after your transplant. Then, start to incorporate more physical activity into your daily life. Make sure to check in with your transplant team before starting an exercise routine.
The success rate of the liver transplant depends on your specific situation. In general, around 75% of people who have a liver transplant live for at least five years. People who receive a liver from a living related donor usually have longer survival rates than those who receive a deceased donor liver. Also, people who have a living related donor liver transplant seem to experience fewer medical problems.
The risks and side effects associated with liver transplant include rejection of the donated liver, bleeding, bile duct complications, failure of donated liver, infection, mental confusion, seizures, and recurrence of liver disease in the transplanted liver.
There are currently no alternatives to a liver transplant. However, the alternative to living related donor liver transplant is to wait for a deceased donor liver or an altruistic donation to become available. Make sure to discuss with your doctor the best option for your case.
Before a living related liver transplant, you may have acute or chronic liver failure, which may be caused by a variety of conditions, or you may have certain cancers that originate in the liver. After the procedure, these conditions may be cured. Your survival rates will be increased significantly after the procedure.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Occupying the title of the largest country in South America, Brazil embraces a diverse population of over 209 million people. The nation is globally renowned for its passion for football (also referred to as soccer in some parts of the world) and their dynamic, flamboyant carnival traditions, boasting a vibrant mix of music, dance, and colorful attire.
In addition to its vivacious culture, Brazil is a sanctuary of spectacular natural beauty. The country nurtures some of the world's most stunning natural wonders, including the dramatic Iguacu Falls and the world's largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon Rainforest, teeming with diverse plant and animal species. One can't miss the landmark figurine of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro that towers 98-feet high, becoming a symbol of Brazil's deep-rooted religious faith and an iconic sight that captures hearts worldwide.
Brazil offers more than 60 JCI-accredited facilities and is one of the leading destinations in the world for cosmetic surgery, with Liver Transplant (Living Related Donor) procedures being especially popular. Doctors are often Western-trained and speak English on top of Portuguese and Spanish. Local accreditations include the Consortium of Brazilian Accreditation and the Brazilian Hospital Medical Quality Organization (ONA). Popular locations within Brazil include the capital Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Curitiba.
As a large country, the weather in Brazil varies from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. A large part of the country lies in the topics. Brazil is a year-round destination because it has a steady average annual temperature. The temperature rarely drops below 20 °C.
Winter in Brazil starts in May and ends in September. The weather remains tropical in the north with an average temperature ranging between 20 °C to 30 °C. In Rio de Janeiro, the temperature varies between 14 °C to 25 °C. However, the evenings usually feel a lot colder.
During this particular season, one can expect a fair amount of rainfall in Rio, leading to many wet and rain-soaked days. If you plan a visit at this time, it's wise to keep that in mind and prepare accordingly. In contrast, further inland, São Paulo experiences significantly cooler temperatures compared to Rio, reflecting the country's vast geographical expanse and diverse microclimates spread across its regions.
This temperature drop might require some warm clothing, especially during late evenings and nights. So, whether you wish to enjoy the rainy murmur in Rio or seek the cool retreat of São Paulo, there's something unique for every traveler in Brazil during this season.
The temperature in Rio rise between November and March, with the highest temperature of around 40 °C but with a thermal sensation of around 50 °C. The Rain rarely lasts long during these months. In the north of Brazil, the rainy season starts in December. March and May see the heaviest rainfall. It’s hot and humid with frequent rain throughout the year in the Amazon.
The most popular international airports are Rio de Janeiro–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (popularly known as Galeão International Airport) and São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport. Both airports serve domestic and international flights to many cities around the globe. The airports mainly serve major airlines but there are budget airlines such as Norwegian Air UK. Tourists can take taxis, bus, train, or car rental from both airports to the city centers.
Brazil is really big, so there will be a lot of long-distance travel to get around the country. The easiest and fastest way to get from one city to another is by domestic flights. The only downside is that the tickets are very expensive. LATAM and GOL Airlines offer multi-trip tickets or air pass. The most economical option is to buy an air pass if you plan to visit a number of different cities.
Buses are popular in Brazil, servicing most areas of the country. The bus system is excellent and provides a comfortable and economical way of travel. Be aware that the distance can be really tiring and overwhelming; some trips can take over 40 hours. The buses are operated by hundreds of different private companies, but the price is standardized. The fare varies from 75 BRL to 240 BRL. There are luxurious buses too.
A good way to get around major cities like São Paulo and Rio is to use Brazil Metro (subway). The fares are around 3.50 BRL to 3.80 BRL. You can purchase rechargeable travel cards. The metro does not operate at night. Be sure to watch your belongings at all times when traveling on the metro.
Taxis run on a metered system, but if you travel a bit further out of town, you need to negotiate the price with the driver. It is best to phone for a taxi or pick one up at a taxi station and make sure to get into a licensed taxi. Ferries and other water travel are important in many parts of Brazil.
Nationals of 72 countries and territories can enter and stay in Brazil for up to 90 days without a visa. In some cases, an identity document may be accepted instead of a passport. Citizens of other countries, including China and India, must apply for and obtain a visa before entering Brazil. It is recommended to contact the nearest Brazilian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa information.
Brazil offers an electronic visa (e-Visa) for citizens of eligible countries. The e-Visa is valid for two years and allows multiple entries for stays of up to 90 days per year. Applicants can apply for the e-Visa online through the Brazilian government's website.