Liver donor health

Below is some general information about donating part of your liver as a living donor. It is based on the advice of medical professionals.

All operations carry some risk, including donating part of your liver. Risk is relative to the person donating and their individual circumstances. If you decide to donate, your transplant team will provide ongoing follow up care, including annual checks and blood tests.

Specific risks of living liver donation

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Are there any risks for living liver donors?

The risk associated with donating your liver depends on how much you donate, for example, when donating to a baby or young child it is likely the smallest lobe (the left lobe) will be enough.

If you volunteer as a living donor, healthcare professionals will discuss any potential risks with you in more detail during your assessment process.

It is important that you take these into consideration and are clear that you are willing to accept them when making your own decision to donate.

Can I live a healthy life if I have donated part of my liver?

Yes, you should be able to lead a normal, healthy life, and return to all your normal activities. Living liver donation will only be considered for suitable healthy individuals.

Will you have to change your lifestyle after donating?

No. However, it is important that all patients who have gone through major abdominal surgery avoid weight gain, smoking and excessive alcohol intake.

Unless you are already on medicines or need them for another reason in the future, you will not have to take medicines for the rest of your life because you have donated part of your liver. Immediately after surgery and whilst you recover you will need pain killers, blood thinners and stool softeners until you can eat, drink and move around normally.

Will donating a liver lobe affect your ability to have children?

Women are advised to leave up to a year, after donation before becoming pregnant. It is perfectly safe to give birth following living liver donation provided you have fully recovered from surgery and returned to normal health. A man’s fertility will not be affected.