Immediately following surgery, the patient is brought to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where they remain for at least 24 hours so they can be closely monitored. When the patient is stable, he or she is transferred to the transplant unit where the patient remains for seven to ten days. The patient is unable to eat for a few days so they receive nourishment from IV fluids. Before leaving the hospital, the patient works with the transplant coordinator to learn about medications, instructions and upcoming follow-up doctor appointments.

For the first month after the transplant, the patient is checked once a week by the transplant surgeon. The patient’s blood is tested twice a week. For the first three months post-transplant, the transplant team monitors all immunosuppressive medications. After this period, care is transitioned back to the referring physician.

Patients come in for check-ups with the transplant team once or twice a year. In order to prevent organ rejection, patients will be on a regimen of immunosuppressant medication on a long-term basis or for the life of the organ.