Now that you know more about your part of liver transplantation, it might also be helpful for you to understand what the recipient will experience.

The person receiving a lobe from your liver is taken into a separate operating room while you are having surgery. Once your donated liver is ready, the transplant surgeon inspects it and marks the important areas that need to be re-connected.

An incision, or cut, is made near the recipient's stomach, and their diseased liver is removed. The new liver is placed in the same position as the diseased liver, and the blood vessels and bile duct are connected to the recipient's own vessels with stitches. The doctor then watches to make sure the new liver is working properly.

The skin and tissues beneath it are then closed and covered with a bandage, and the recipient is taken to the intensive care unit.

Most people who have a liver transplant stay in the hospital for 7 to 14 days.