Can you donate 1/2 a liver?

Question

My dad is ill, very ill. He's having liver failure. I just found this out today. At first i thought my mom said kidney .. so i started doing some research and decided to donate a kidney if i was able to.

When i talked to him i went ahead and told him i wanted to take a test to see if i was a good enough match.

Then he told me it was his liver, not kidney, and he would have to stay on the waiting list .. until someone passed away, bad car accident, ect.

Is this true or can i still, maybe, donate 1/2 of my liver?

Any info would be great!

Answer 1

You can become a living donor...however, they usually
take more than just half the liver...usually 60%.
Here is a link that will give you the information you need
to become one:
http://www.transplantliving.org/livingdonation/default.aspx

Some patients are not able to have just a partial liver,
they may need a whole one depending on their other
health problems. Also, the patient has a right to refuse
you donating part of your liver, just as he has the right
to refuse medical care itself.

To be placed on the Transplant list, you have to go
through an evaluation process where the doctors will
do many different tests and he will see different doctors
also. To give you an idea of this, here is a link to a
very good guide for a liver transplant patient:
http://www.surgery.usc.edu/divisions/hep/patientguide/index.html

if you read this then you will have more understanding to
help your Dad if he decides on a transplant.

It is true that the liver regenerates itself when you give
a portion of your liver to someone else. I know this from
talking directly to a Transplant Surgeon who stated this.
The portion you give to your Dad will also regenerate.

This surgery can be extremely long for your Dad, anywhere
from 6 to 14 hours. The doctors have to decide whether
he has family who will support him after the surgery,
whether he is able to follow the medication instructions and
is willing to follow them, and whether his body is able
to withstand this long of a time period during surgery.

Some of the recommendations they give liver patients is
as follows:
(1) Do not drink alcohol
(2) Tell the doctor all medication you are on: this
includes over the counter med, herbs, herbal teas and
medication prescribed by other doctors. Medication
go to the liver first to be broken down before going to
the rest of the body. Read all paperwork that comes
with the medication you are taking as the doctors don't
always have the time to explain things regarding the
medicines. Don't be afraid to talk to the pharmacist or
doctor about your medications.
(3) Stay away from chemicals. Especially, carbon
tetrachloride.
(4) Be aware of who is sick around you. Try not to be
with anyone who is sick, has been recently sick, or is
around others who are sick. You don't need any other
illness to weaken your body now. Wash all foods,
like fresh fruits, vegetables that others have touched in
the stores. Stay away from open salad bars and
communal dips where they dip chips and veg into and
birthday cakes where they blow out the candles on.
Wash your hands frequently, especially if you touch other
things people touch like door knobs, money, shopping cart
handles, etc. If you are not able to wash your hands when
you are out somewhere, they have little bottles of purell,
germ-X and wipes you can use.
(5) People who have liver disease can become tired
very easily. They may even have changes in their sleep
habits. They should try to sleep whenever their body tells
them to...even a little sleep is better than none at all.

I hope this is of some help to you.

Answer 2

Donating A Liver

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can you donate 1/2 a liver?
My dad is ill, very ill. He's having liver failure. I just found this out today. At first i thought my mom said kidney .. so i started doing some research and decided to donate a kidney if i was able to.

When i talked to him i went ahead and told him i wanted to take a test to see if i was a...

Answer 4

Yes, you can donate a portion of your liver if you match and meet other criteria:
"Live donor liver transplantation is a procedure in which a living person donates a portion of his or her liver to another. The liver is unique in that it has the ability to regenerate in 2-8 weeks after the transplant."

http://www.hods.org/English/activities/liver/liverdonation.html

Answer 5

I HEARD THAT, YES, YOU CAN!! CHECK WITH THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN.........HE OR SHE IS SURE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU THE BEST ANSWER FOR YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION.