Hi all
Can anyone tell me how long after transplant you have any tubes,staples & stitches out please?
I’ve seen some stories on the FB site that alarm me & to be honest am thinking of not using that site as there seems to be some strange comments
Thankyou
Hi Huw
My tubes were pulled out around a week after the surgery I think. The stitches were dissolvable so nothing to remove. Can't remember how long it took for the incision wound to heal externally but I think it was 3-4 weeks.
Hope that helps
Klodian
That helps greatly thankyou klodian how are you doing/feeling?
Huw
I feel great mate, thanks for asking. Almost back to normal. Hope you and your partner are both coping ok. Hang in there, what you're going through will soon be a thing of the past 😊.
Just to clarify this was the abdominal tubes. The ones up the nose and down the throat were removed once I regained consciousness in the ITU the next day.
Thanks klodian, when I woke in Icu on Sunday they took the ventilator tube out after around 15 mins I think, strange as I had all the lines & tubes in including catheter just no new liver lol
Can't imagine how disappointing that must have been Huw. It's not exactly the same but I had 3 no go calls before it actually happened. Each time the full drill, shower with antiseptic shampoo, cannula, funky socks and dress on, only to be told the liver is no good right at the last minute. Everytime that happened, I kept binging on sushi and grapefruit since they're 2 of the foods you're not allowed post transplant. That was my way of coping with the disappointment 😅
I wasn’t told to shower at all but the rest yes and Donna said I rocked the socks but got a funny feeling she was taking the Micky,3 no go calls wow I’ve never thought of that since weekend but yea guess I could have that!! O well no point worrying I guess untill the phone goes again.
My son is 22 days post transplant and he had his breathing tube out within hours, nasal tube within 24 hours and his drains, catheter and arterial line within 3- 4 days. He doesn’t have any external stitches or staples to take out.
Thanks danisleigh how is your son doing?
He is going great thanks! All came as a shock as although he was born with a liver disease he was doing really well and living a normal life until January when he was diagnosed with a HCC, a lot to deal with at age 16. But he came through the surgery really well and was home 12 days Post transplant and is getting used to the medications and the follow up appointments.
That’s amazing and at such a young age too you must be not only relieved but super proud aswell
Hi. Hope you don't mind me asking this but I'm really struggling to understand your post. How did your son not have staples or stitches after a liver transplant ? My partner who has had the transplant has asked me to ask you 'cos we can't get our heads round it. So glad to hear he doing so well. A lot to go through at such a young age.
Hobo.xx
He has all internal stitches but nothing that needs to be removed, they all dissolve! I am not sure if it’s the best way as the wound took a while to heal and parts of it looked like it was almost coming open but I think it looks neater than staples which is why they do it with young children.
Hi huw, I had staples and I’m sure at the time I was told 10 days but got them out a few days early because they were bugging me, I had a tube either side of my abdomen, one was removed after a few days and one was in for about a week n half but that was only because I had received a split liver transplant, it is honestly no where near as bad as your imagination would have you believe it is,
Take care 🌸🌸
Thanks very much Kate am a lot more relaxed about it now 👍
I think it’s the wait that plays with your mind, you know you are going to have the transplant you just don’t know when so you sit and think and imagine all sorts but honestly I am the biggest coward around when it comes to having things done and I was amazed at how “normal”, I felt afterwards, the transformation for me was almost immediate, the yellow colour was gone my eyes were lovely and white, and I felt ok, so chin up, I’m sure you will do fantastic when your call comes 📞👍🏻🌸
Hi Huw, I did not have any tubes coming out of my stomach . I guess everyone is very different. If you can imagine an upside down V that is what my incision is like -the tip of the V upper middle chest then follows out on both sides of the stomach. I had internal stitches which dissolved and all external staples. Healing was fast and only really felt prickly feelings on the inside healing. My staples were taken out approx 2 weeks post. But every other staple not all at once. And they put some clear tape on top of each staple that came out. My incision now 1year later kinda pinky and smooth -no issues. As I said everyone is different and don't read to much. You will be amazed how fast your body heals and bounces back. When I had my surgery I was bedridden, lost so much muscle, could not move or talk or eat. I promise you this 2 days after my surgery the physio therapy people had me in a standing walker teaching me how to walk again. I seriously had to learn to walk again and eat again. Your body is so resilient you will be amazed at your recovery. I spent 15 days in hospital and when I left I was walking with a cane and eating on my own. Don't get me wrong it's hard work but soooooo worth it. Honestly it will be one day at a time. Your medicine - your blood work will be checked frequently and adjustments made. It's a process with ups and downs but you keep moving forward. As I said before it will be your gift of life ❤️ I forgot to mention I'm from Canada so things maybe different here. Think positive and keep your hope going. Take care and all the best.
That’s a great inspirational story,like you say we are all different but hope mine goes as well as yours thankyou
Hello,
My relief and 'new born' feelings were so immense and overwhelming that any tubes, staples and wounds all seemed insignificant.
The recovery was not completely without a few bumps in the road but by discharge I was ready for the world and my new life.
You should keep away from Facebook as there are indeed some strange stories to be found, just stick to this forum and you will be fine.
Jim
Hey Huw,
Chest drains were both out by the time I went home, just had a bandage over whilst they closed up. The drains just get in the way so are a joy to have removed.
I was a little wary of the 'dinkel' tube coming out but you have already experienced that 😉.
I never had stitches they either used magic or some sort of glue and I guess it was about a month post transplant all the scab had gone. My scar is very clean and neat, in a year or two I think it will be barely noticeable especially near the ends, maybe the horizontal a little more obvious but thats where my amazing 6 pack will be 😂😂.
My staples were removed 21 days after.
As others have said the trachy tube comes out as they wake you up. Mine was sometime late afternoon early evening the day after, so roughly about 18 - 24hrs after the transplant. But that can vary and can be quicker.
Urinary catheter came out about 3 days after and for me the central lines came out about 4 days after.
The tube draining my wound came out the morning i left, so 8 days later. However, that does depend on how much is still draining so could be a little longer and you could be discharged with it still in place. That isn't that unusual apparently. When i left i was still leaking fluid from the drain site, but was given all the stuff i needed to ensure that was collected and also how to empty and change the bags. It wasn't any big deal really and i stopped draining about 4 days after that, so 12 days post transplant in all.
They pulled my catheter out the day after transplant. Was bursting for a wee but couldn't go for 2 (or was it 3?) days after, it was the most uncomfortable feeling of my life! Coming from someone who'd just had his abdomen pulled apart, that's saying something. That and waiting for the bowel movements to resume were the toughest parts of the entire experience imo.
Ooooh I understand your pain my friend!!! I had the catheter removed when I tried to go when back on ward and it leaked but really struggled to go after it came out & even now almost 6 days later I have burning & tenderness and bowel was 3 days and I only had the anisthetic
My hubby had his transplant on Saturday morning in itu on Sunday and then up to high dependency on Monday morning. He has been slowly loosing all the bags and Drips and by Thursday had none at all. Would have been up on the ward on Wednesday but no beds. Up to the ward this evening and getting home on Monday.He can walk unaided anyway climbing stairs with the physio today
Wow wow wow that’s fantastic to hear so pleased for you both.what hospital you at?
So glad your hubby is doing well and coming home! My son was in for 11 days and has been home just over 2 weeks now, it’s amazing how much better they get and how quickly once at home! My son had an appt with the surgeons on Monday and he has normal liver function for the first time in his life, he is putting weight back on and everything is going in the right direction. It still seems amazing to me how they do it!
Enjoy having your hubby home x
Royal Infirmary Edinburgh. Very professional team but the food was mostly inedible
Yea hospital food not the best but at least he’s in good hands, I’ve prepped Donna to bring me food in 😊
Hi grannydoll, totally agree about the food, I kept saying how am I supposed to get well on this food 🤢 has he had liver yet ?? Couldn’t believe after a liver transplant you are offered this on the menu, did give me a giggle but wasn’t quite brave enough to try it, how is he doing hope he is on the mend, 🌸🌸
Nothing as posh as liver here. Keith is getting out today. His feet are very swollen but apart from that he looks fantastic
Wow that’s fantastic he is getting out today, he must be doing great, I was almost 3 weeks before I got home, good luck and take care 🌸🌸
I enjoyed the food post transplant, other than the horrific plantain calorie drink things. The royal infirmary Cornish pasty is epic 😁
Hospital food was awful! I thought the calorie drinks (fortisip?) were delicious though 😋
I was in ICU for 2 weeks as my kidneys failed and was very poorly from my transplant and on dialysis so don’t remember the first 10 days. Hubby said they woke me up after 2 days, breathing tube and and drains removed fairly quickly.
Staples came out alternatively after 2 weeks and then the other staples a few days later.
My nurse was about to take them out and said “I’ll get you a pot” as you do in hospital, I started thinking maybe another sample needed 😂
She said everyone keeps their staples as a souvenir and I was like “oh ok then”. I have 60 little staples in a “clean” wee pot.
It amazes me that you have so so many internal stitches and wiring and they staple you back together.
So make sure you bring your staples home (if your stapled) x
Private Fibroscan - what I needed for peace of mind 
Alcoholic Fatty Liver
AM FEELING SLIGHTLY SCARED
