Why the hell liver transplantation is an expensive treatment?

[ZABohra]

I really wish I had Alladin's lamp or any magical power then I would heel my father with it. It would be less painful and guess it would be less expensive too. What option do people have if they can't afford the treatment?

[gamesmaker]

That depends on whether you live in the UK and are covered by the NHS, or covered by a private scheme in another country. It all depends on the liver doctor deciding if your father would benefit from a liver transplant - there is an enormous shortfall of the necessary livers and the operation itself is not without risk. The available livers will go to those most in need.

[Bolly]

This is a description of a liver transplant in the UK and shows just why it is costly and why it is not risk free. dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

After transplant the patient has to take anti rejection medications for life and in your fathers case he would have to take the Tenofovir for life also.

At the moment all he has to take is one Tenofovir tablet a day and this should protect his liver.

Your father is a lucky man to have you caring so much for him, but relax, it sounds like he is getting the right treatment and should stay well.

[RodeoJoe in reply to Bolly]

That's a great link, I did wonder about what the costs are. There's my answer £50,000!!!

Although of course the thing about a liver transplant is that there is also the cost of a priceless life, without which none of the procedure is possible. In my mind it makes the monetary cost almost an insignificance.

[ZABohra in reply to Bolly]

I really pray he does

[grumps]

Great link Bolly..really explaibs in a straight forward way.

Our 44 old son went down with cronic liver failure last July. Totally out the blue.

He was a binge drinker but never any signs of illness....he was given 24 hours to live early Aug..Dr said it was a miracle he survived. He was monitored and refered to QEH Birmingham on Sept. And had his fist visit last week 26 Jan.

Met His Specialist went well and had Blood tests.

Waiting now for date to go for a full day of assesment then follow up 2 day visit.

Told they will try and get some tests done at our home town hospital. BVH

hope all goes well. Believe Queen Elizabeth Hospital is top draw for transplants...

Think this blog is great for support and info.

Thank you all