Introduction to Liver Transplants

The human liver has an amazing ability to repair itself after mild damage. Despite this, this important organ is far from invulnerable. Severe damage cannot be repaired by the liver itself or by current medical technology. When a liver is harmed so badly that it can no longer function adequately, the person affected may need to have it removed and replaced with a healthier liver.

One of the most common causes of liver failure is exposure to a toxin. This toxin is usually alcohol, but many over the counter drugs and supplements have also been linked to liver damage. The most recent example is Hydroxycut, a weight loss supplement recalled by Iovate Health Services in May 2009.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries caused by this supplement, call the Hydroxycut recall attorneys of at your convenience to discuss your rights.

Liver Transplants Step by Step

Once a patient’s medical team has determined that he or she needs a liver transplant, the process begins. The basic steps are:

• Finding a donor. Donated livers usually come from people who signed an organ donor form prior to passing away. A portion of a liver can also be donated by a living person, with generally good results. Unfortunately, finding a donor is usually the hardest step – and can take years.
• Preparation. The patient may need to take certain drugs, and will certain need to live healthily while getting ready for surgery.
• The procedure. This highly complex surgery can take 10 hours or longer, and requires a full team of very skilled professionals.
• Immediate post-surgery care. Most transplant recipients will spend about three days in Intensive Care while recovering from surgery. They need to be monitored for infection and other complications.
• Long-term care. Most liver recipients do very well and can expect to live healthy lives. However, they do need follow-up care to make sure that their new livers are working and that there have been no medical complications.

Contact a Hydroxycut Liver Failure Attorney

While liver transplants are usually successful, they are also painful and costly procedures. If you or a loved one has suffered from liver failure after using Hydroxycut, contact the Hydroxycut liver damage lawyers of at your convenience to discuss your grounds for compensation.