There are, of course, possible risks to liver donation, including bile pooling in the abdomen and hernias around the incision, conditions that are reversible, though time-consuming and arduous. There is a small risk of liver dysfunction occurring in the donor, and with any major surgery, there is considerable pain and the risk of death.
Although the tests, transplant, and post-operative care related to the transplant are paid for by the recipient’s insurance (in Ella’s case, the insurance is Medicaid), insurance issues may arise for the donor. The recipient’s insurance will not cover other conditions that the donor may have, and insurance costs may go up as insurance companies consider the transplant a preexisting condition for the donor.
Recovery for the Donor
The donor spends the night in ICU, and is kept in the hospital for about a week before going home. The bulk of the recovery takes place in the first six weeks when the liver regenerates to about 83% of its original size. The donor generally will need to take anywhere from six weeks off of work to three months, depending on their recovery. Most donors feel 100% in about a year’s time.
