Liver Transplant Evaluation in Babylon, NY

A liver transplant evaluation is a comprehensive medical assessment designed to determine if a patient is physically, medically, and emotionally prepared for a liver transplant. At Digestive Disease Care, this process helps ensure that transplantation is the safest and most effective treatment option for individuals with advanced liver disease.

What the Evaluation Includes

• Detailed review of your medical history to understand the causes and severity of liver disease.
• Complete physical examination to assess overall health and identify complications.
• Blood tests to evaluate liver function, screen for infections, check kidney health, and review blood clotting factors.
• Imaging tests to examine liver structure and identify tumors, blockages, or scarring.
• Heart and lung evaluations to ensure you are strong enough for major surgery.
• Review of medications, supplements, and prior treatments to identify possible risks.
• Nutritional and lifestyle assessments to evaluate factors that may affect recovery.
• Emotional and psychological evaluation to confirm readiness for transplant and ability to follow long-term care requirements.
• Discussion with transplant surgeons to determine eligibility and next steps.

Our Role at Digestive Disease Care

Our board-certified gastroenterologists coordinate your evaluation with leading transplant centers. We help identify barriers that could affect transplant success and provide personalized recommendations to prepare your body for surgery. From testing to emotional support, we ensure you feel informed and supported through every step of the evaluation.

A liver transplant evaluation is necessary to determine whether a transplant is the best treatment option for someone with serious liver disease. At Digestive Disease Care, we use this process to assess your overall health, the severity of your liver condition, and whether transplantation can improve your quality of life.

Reasons an Evaluation Is Necessary

• Advanced liver disease, such as cirrhosis, with reduced liver function.
• Acute liver failure caused by infections, toxins, or medications.
• Serious complications such as fluid buildup, bleeding, confusion, or jaundice.
• Chronic viral hepatitis that has progressed despite treatment.
• Genetic liver disorders like Wilson’s disease or hemochromatosis.
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with severe scarring.
• Liver cancer within transplant-acceptable criteria.
• Need to determine surgical safety and risks before undergoing transplantation.

What the Evaluation Helps Determine

• Whether your liver damage is severe enough to require a transplant.
• Your body’s ability to tolerate a major surgical procedure.
• Whether factors like heart disease, infections, or uncontrolled conditions may affect recovery.
• Your emotional readiness and ability to follow long-term treatment plans.
• The availability of a supportive home environment for recovery.

Digestive Disease Care’s Support

We guide you and your family through the entire process, explaining risks, benefits, alternatives, and expectations. Our specialists ensure you receive accurate information, emotional support, and a clear understanding of whether a liver transplant is right for you.

The length of a liver transplant evaluation varies based on medical urgency, your overall health, and required testing.

Typical Timeframes

• A few days for urgent evaluations in patients who are severely ill.
• One to several weeks for stable patients needing full outpatient evaluation.
• Longer if additional testing, consultations, or medical treatments are required before proceeding.

What Can Affect the Timeline

• The number of required tests, including bloodwork, imaging, and cardiac evaluations.
• The presence of other medical issues that require clearance, such as heart disease or lung conditions.
• Scheduling availability with transplant surgeons and specialists.
• Identification of medical issues that must be treated prior to transplant approval.
• Lifestyle or behavioral requirements, such as alcohol abstinence or weight management.

What the Evaluation Includes

• Blood tests
• Imaging studies
• Heart and lung assessments
• Nutritional review
• Mental health and social support evaluation
• Consultations with liver disease specialists and transplant surgeons

Digestive Disease Care’s Coordination

We help expedite appointments, organize medical records, and address any issues that may slow the evaluation. Our team works closely with transplant centers to ensure you move through the process as quickly and safely as possible, with continuous support and communication.

Eligibility for a liver transplant depends on multiple medical, emotional, and lifestyle factors. At Digestive Disease Care, we evaluate each patient individually to determine whether they meet the criteria for transplant listing.

Medical Factors

• The severity of liver disease is measured by MELD or PELD scores.
• Underlying conditions such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, or autoimmune liver disease.
• Presence of liver cancer within accepted transplant guidelines.
• Absence of active infections that would complicate surgery.
• Healthy functioning of the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
• Lack of uncontrolled medical problems that increase surgical risk.
• No active substance use, with required sobriety periods for many patients.

Lifestyle and Emotional Factors

• Commitment to long-term medical care and medication adherence.
• Stable home environment and strong caregiver support.
• Emotional readiness and mental health stability for the demands of transplant recovery.
• Willingness to follow dietary and lifestyle recommendations, including alcohol and tobacco abstinence.

Additional Considerations

• Age and overall physical strength.
• Financial ability to manage transplant-related medication and care.
• No untreated cancers outside the liver.

Digestive Disease Care’s Role

We help patients understand what is required for transplant approval and guide them in preparing their body, mind, and lifestyle for the process. Our specialists collaborate with transplant centers to ensure every patient receives clear guidance, support, and a coordinated approach to evaluation and eventual transplant listing.

At Digestive Disease Care, Dr. Nilesh Mehta provides thorough and compassionate liver transplant evaluations for patients facing advanced liver disease. These evaluations are designed to assess overall liver function, determine transplant eligibility, and ensure patients receive the most appropriate and effective treatment plan. Dr. Mehta takes a detailed, patient-centered approach—reviewing medical history, conducting specialized testing, and coordinating closely with leading transplant centers. His expertise in managing complex liver conditions allows patients to receive accurate diagnoses and personalized care tailored to their unique needs.

Serving communities across New York and surrounding areas, Dr. Mehta is committed to guiding patients through every step of the transplant evaluation process. He focuses on improving long-term outcomes by identifying factors that may affect transplant readiness and recommending targeted treatments to optimize liver health. With advanced diagnostic capabilities and a dedication to patient education, Digestive Disease Care ensures that individuals and families feel informed, supported, and confident as they navigate the path toward liver transplantation. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 373 W Main St, Babylon, NY 11702. We serve patients from Babylon NY, Massapequa NY, Melville NY, Brentwood NY, Bay Shore NY, Farmingdale NY, and surrounding areas.