Depending on the size of the donor, either 40% or 60% of the liver is removed. It is then cleaned and taken to the recipient. At this point, the surgery begins on the recipient. The old liver is removed, and the new donor graft is placed.
The Transplant
The day before the surgery both the donor and the recipient are checked in and placed in separate rooms. While the recipient can receive drugs for anxiety, the donor has to be sound of mind and body. They have to climb onto the operating table themselves. The surgeon will ask, “Do you consent to donate?” If the donor says yes, the operation begins.
