St. Luke's Liver Transplant Program
Referral phase | Pre-transplant | Transplant | Discharge & follow-up | Resuming activity | FAQs | How UNOS works
Pre-transplant phase
How long the patient waits for a liver transplant is based on various medical factors such as blood type, body size, clinical status, and length of time on the list.
Pre-transplant candidates are treated by the transplant team to keep them as healthy as possible while awaiting transplantation. They are regularly scheduled for visits with their transplant physician and transplant nurse coordinator to monitor their health status and to receive the emotional and practical support that often is needed during the difficult waiting period.
The wait for a matching liver can vary from a few days to a few years. As patients move to the top of the UNOS list, they are provided with an electronic pager and specific instructions to prepare for their surgery.
To learn more, click here or call 414-646-2550.
