Can you donate half your liver?
My brother's friend needs a liver urgently. I'm trying to find out if I can be a living donor. I've heard that the liver can grow back. Is it true that you can donate half your liver and it'll be fine?
6 answers
4 months ago
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Yes, you can absolutely donate a portion of your liver, as it naturally grows back to its full size in a few months. When my relative's child needed a transplant, we looked into this closely. It is a major surgery, so you just need to be in very good health yourself to qualify.
4 months ago
Don't go by what people say online about how easy or safe liver donation is. It is a highly complex surgery with real risks of infection and complications. Go directly to a licensed transplant team at a major hospital and get the facts from them.
4 months ago
I went through the screening process for a family member, so I can tell you it is completely doable. The liver has amazing regenerative powers, but the pre-donation medical tests are incredibly intense. Focus on keeping your liver fat levels low through clean eating before you go for the workup.
4 months ago
Please make sure you get a complete and thorough checkup before committing to this. I once ignored my own digestive and liver issues for years until they got really bad, and I deeply regret not seeing a specialist sooner. Don't skip any tests that the doctors recommend.
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Consult a gastroenterologist
yrs exp
4 months ago
God has made our body so beautiful that the liver can grow back on its own after donation. Do not worry at all, just go to a big hospital and talk to the doctors there. They will check your blood and health very nicely to make sure you stay safe.
4 months ago
Scientifically, living liver donation involves removing a lobe, which then regenerates in both you and the recipient. However, the compatibility and medical eligibility criteria are extremely strict. It's best to consult a transplant surgeon who can evaluate your physical and psychological fitness.