Transplant Center

The extraordinary care that you received while hospitalized at The Nebraska Medical Center does not end at the time of discharge. The liver transplant team continues to follow and monitor your progress. Our team is available to you, your family members and your local physician to answer any questions after transplantation.

Prior to leaving the hospital, you will receive a detailed discharge instruction notebook which will be reviewed with you and your family by a transplant coordinator and transplant pharmacist. After a liver transplant, you may find your life has changed in several ways. Activities will not be restricted except for eliminating heavy lifting for the first month post transplant. Diet will depend on the patient and may include eliminating salt at the table. Some patients, mostly children, will require naso-gastric tube feedings for a period of time to support wound healing, strength and growth. A transplant dietician is available for assistance with any nutritional questions.

You will remain in the Omaha outpatient area for several weeks prior to returning home. Lab work will be monitored on a regular basis and you will be seen in our transplant clinic weekly or as needed. The time spent in Omaha allows you and your family to become familiar with the necessary care you will need to maintain. It also allows the team to make adjustment to medications and handle any other problems prior to releasing you back to your home town.

Once at home, we return your care to your local doctor. However, the transplant team will continue to monitor lab work and adjust the anti-rejection medications. In addition, we will follow any health problems or concerns and may ask you to return to Omaha if we do not feel we can safely handle a medical problem over the phone. We do like to see patients back at least once a year, or sooner if needed.

You and your family members play a very important role in successful liver transplantation. Responsibilities to help in long-term success include the following:

• Taking medication as instructed
• Having lab work done as scheduled
• Calling the transplant coordinator with new prescription or over-the-counter medications, ongoing health concerns or persistent fevers, any questions or concerns.
• Keeping regular appointments with your local physician and transplant team.
• Obtaining routine healthcare maintenance checks such as mammograms, pap smears, PSA, colonoscopy, etc.

For more information on available housing options, our transplant center, the city of Omaha and volunteer services click here.