A. Medical Journey
Common pathway from first findings to transplant and long-term follow-up.
- 1
First contact and workup
Primary care, GI, hepatology, or hospital entry leads to diagnostic clarification.
What matters here: getting the labs, the diagnosis code, and any prior imaging in writing. You'll want those for every conversation from this point forward.
- 2
Confirmed chronic liver disease
Cause and disease stage are defined when possible, then monitored over time.
What matters here: the specialist is the gatekeeper for transplant evaluation later. Ask what would trigger them to send you for evaluation — and in how many weeks, not just "when you're ready."
- 3
Major decompensation point
Complications can force a transition from monitoring to transplant-level urgency.
What matters here: each decompensation event permanently raises your real-world risk. If things are escalating, call before the next episode happens — not after. Get support now →
- 4
Transplant center evaluation
Medical, psychosocial, caregiver, and financial review determine readiness and listing status.
What matters here: the evaluation is not one decision — it is a series of them across specialties. If one specialist flags a concern, ask what would change that finding, and how long you have to address it.
- 5
Listing decision and waitlist management
Listed, deferred, declined, or redirected. Waitlist period remains active and dynamic.
What matters here: your MELD score is one input, not the whole picture. If you've been told your MELD is "not high enough," a low MELD does not always mean low risk — see what MELD doesn't count →. Not sure your center is the right fit? Compare centers →
- 6
Branch options
Some families pursue living donor pathways or evaluation at additional centers.
What matters here: wait times vary widely between centers. You are allowed to be evaluated at another center, and you are allowed to be listed at more than one. Not sure your center is the right fit? Compare centers →
- 7
Transplant and early recovery
Surgery is followed by intense early follow-up and stabilization.
What matters here: recovery starts before surgery ends. Ask the team before the call comes what the first 72 hours, first 2 weeks, and first 3 months typically look like — and who your caregiver calls at each stage.
- 8
Long-term rebuilding
Recovery and adaptation continue through year one and beyond.
What matters here: immunosuppression is for life, not for weeks. Build a medication and labs routine before you need it — and know which symptoms mean "call the team today" versus "wait and watch."