AHN Living Liver Donor Program

Living liver donation allows someone who is healthy to donate up to 70% of their liver to someone who needs a liver transplant. The liver is a regenerative organ, which means it grows back after part of it is removed during surgery.

Living donor liver transplant offers the recipient several advantages over deceased donor liver transplant, including:

Healthier organs. Living donors are thoroughly screened and their livers are in excellent condition, which can help improve recipient outcomes.
Shorter wait times. Having a living liver donor means recipients can receive a transplant faster before their condition gets worse.
Better timing. With living liver donation, the transplant surgery can be planned for a time and date that is convenient for both parties and when the recipient is in good health.

Program highlights

Our living liver donor specialists are committed to your health and safety. They offer medical expertise with compassion that prioritizes your physical, mental, and emotional health throughout the donor process.

Here are a few things you can expect when working with the AHN Living Liver Donor Program:

Surgical expertise. Our surgeons have been performing successful donor surgeries since 1987. Our transplant surgeons are board-certified and fellowship-trained, which means they have gone through years of intense training to safely perform complex donor and transplant procedures.
Outstanding care quality. We have received national distinction for our innovative living donor care, including awards from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Tailored approach. We take time to look at the whole picture of your health and personal circumstances to ensure living donation is safe for you. Every evaluation and decision are individualized to protect your well-being before, during, and after surgery.
Personal attention. We understand what a selfless act donating a portion of your liver is. We have coordinators devoted exclusively to guiding donors through the liver donation process. We want you to always feel confident in your care, and we're committed to ensuring your experience is as positive as possible.

Take the first step to living liver donation

Start by filling out our online screening. This brief questionnaire helps our team determine if you meet the initial medical requirements for donation. Once we review your information, someone from our team will contact you to discuss next steps and guide you through the full evaluation process.

Frequently asked questions about living liver donation

What are the living liver donor requirements?

To become a living liver donor, you need to:

Be older than 18 and younger than 60.
Have a healthy body mass index (BMI) measurement within the acceptable limit.
Be in good physical health with no active cancer diagnosis or HIV/hepatitis.
Have stable mental health.
Have a healthy liver that functions normally, with no history of liver disease, liver dysfunction, or other conditions that affect your liver health.
Be capable of making your own decisions that are free of coercion, pressure, and guilt.

We'll complete a comprehensive exam, including blood work, liver function tests, urine studies, imaging, and a multidisciplinary evaluation, to determine your eligibility for donation. If you meet the liver donation requirements, our team will be by your side through the entire process. Our comprehensive follow-up care involves monitoring your health in the weeks and months following your surgery.

How does living liver donation help patients waiting for a transplant?

Living liver donation greatly reduces the amount of time a patient needs to wait for a transplant, which often allows them to get a lifesaving liver sooner.

How much of the liver can I donate?

You can donate up to 70% (around two-thirds) of your liver. The liver has the ability to grow back, and both your liver and your recipient's liver grow back to full size within about six months.

Who pays for the liver donor evaluation?

The liver donor evaluation is covered by the recipient's insurance. As the donor, you'll be responsible for routine health and cancer screenings. Our social worker will review any available resources, including wage reimbursement programs and Donor Shield protections, to support you throughout the process if needed.

Do I need to be related to the recipient?

Donors can be family members, friends, coworkers, or even anonymous (non-directed) who choose to help someone in need. However, the donor and recipient must have a compatible blood type for a successful transplant.

Frequently asked questions about living liver donor surgery

Is the surgery safe?

Living liver donation is a well-established procedure and donor safety is our highest priority. Most donors recover fully from surgery and go on to live normal, healthy lives.

What happens during the surgery?

The surgery usually lasts six to seven hours. The surgeon will make an incision below your rib cage to perform the surgery. Then, the surgeon will carefully separate and remove the part of your liver (usually the right side) that you're donating. After the surgery, you'll spend four or five nights in the hospital.

What should I expect during my recovery at home?

From the time you leave the hospital until your surgeon checks your incision around two weeks after surgery, you won't be able to drive. For 8 to 10 weeks after surgery, you won't be able to lift more than 10 pounds. You may feel tired for the first two weeks after surgery and will need to rest. We encourage you to be lightly active between resting periods by getting up and walking around. By three months after surgery, you'll be able to return to your normal physical activities.

What follow-up appointments do I need?

You will have a postoperative appointment with your surgeon within two weeks after surgery. During this appointment, your surgeon will check your incision to make sure it's healing well. During the first few weeks, you'll have several blood work appointments. Six months after surgery, you'll have an in-person appointment for a CT scan, where your care team will look at your liver to see how it's growing back. You'll also have telehealth appointments one year and two years after your surgery. After two years, you'll return to having annual physicals with your primary care provider (PCP).