First, sending so much support to your mom and your family — this is a lot to take in, but there is genuinely good news here. Liver transplants for PBC have very positive outcomes.
Here are the survival rates for people with PBC after a liver transplant:
- 1-year survival rate — 94%
- 3-year survival rate — 91%
- 5-year Show Full Answer
First, sending so much support to your mom and your family — this is a lot to take in, but there is genuinely good news here. Liver transplants for PBC have very positive outcomes.
Here are the survival rates for people with PBC after a liver transplant:
- 1-year survival rate — 94%
- 3-year survival rate — 91%
- 5-year survival rate — 86%
Most people also see a significant improvement in their quality of life after transplant. 💛 As for how long the process takes, it really varies. Here's a general breakdown:
- Evaluation — This can take a few weeks to several months. Tests check overall health, heart, lungs, and liver function.
- Waiting for a donor — This is the most unpredictable part. Some people wait less than a month, others more than five years, depending on their MELD score, blood type, and donor availability.
- Surgery itself — Typically 6 to 12 hours.
- Hospital recovery — Usually 1 to 3 weeks.
- Full recovery at home — A few months to 6+ months depending on health going in.
One myPBCteam member shared that the hardest part was waiting for the call and having to stay within one hour of the hospital at all times. One thing worth knowing is that PBC can return in about 20–35% of people after transplant, usually within 3 to 6 years. However, it tends to progress much more slowly the second time and can still be managed with treatment and monitoring.
Your mom's transplant team will guide her every step of the way — she won't be navigating this alone. 🌟
August 18
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