Ellen Schulman, who received a liver transplant at NYU Medical Center, with her husband at this year's Red Ball.

The organ used for a liver transplant is from a person who has been diagnosed as brain dead and whose family volunteers to donate the organ for transplantation (cadaveric liver transplant). The organ is removed from the donor and placed into the recipient by a team of highly skilled surgeons.

The success rate of liver transplantation at NYU Medical Center at one and two years is 92 percent and 86 percent respectively. Once the Transplant Team determines that you are an appropriate candidate for transplantation, a suitable donor becomes available, and you have successfully completed the surgery, you have a good chance of leading a normal, healthy and active life. However, to help ensure a successful outcome, it is vital that you closely follow your transplant team's recommendations which will include taking immunosuppresstve medications.

Learning about the liver

The liver, the largest solid organ in the body, is made up of two lobes and is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen. The average liver weighs between 2 and 3 pounds.

Because of its many functions, the liver is considered to be one of the most important organs in the body. It controls the storage and concentration of nutrients, such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. It regulates the disposal of waste products in the bile. Finally, it processes and filters poisons, toxins (it plays a major role in the metabolism of alcohol), medications and perhaps some bacteria.

Injury to the liver from infections, toxins, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic disorders may lead to development of such diseases as hepatitis, alcohol related liver disease, cirrhosis and liver failure. When the liver disease becomes irreversible and resistant to conventional medical treatment, a liver transplant may be indicated.