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Liver Resection: Before Your Surgery

What is a liver resection?

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Liver resection is surgery to remove a piece of the liver. Up to one-half of your liver can be removed if the rest of it is healthy. The doctor makes a cut (incision) in your belly to take out part of the liver. If the doctor removes the right side of your liver, your gallbladder will also be removed.

Liver resection requires general anesthesia. The surgery can take 2 to 5 hours.

You will probably stay in the hospital for 5 to 14 days after surgery. You will need to take it easy for 4 to 8 weeks at home.

How do you prepare for surgery?

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

	You may need to empty your bowels with an enema or laxative. Your doctor will tell you how to do this.
	Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
	Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
	If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
	Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
	Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

What happens on the day of surgery?

Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your surgery may be canceled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, take them with only a sip of water.

Take a bath or shower before you come in for your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.

Do not shave the surgical site yourself.

Take off all jewelry and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.

At the hospital or surgery center

Bring a picture ID.

The area for surgery is often marked to make sure there are no errors.

You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. You will be asleep during the surgery.

The surgery will take 2 to 5 hours.

You may have a small tube coming out of your belly for a few days to drains fluids.

You may have a thin plastic tube in your nose that goes down the back of your throat into your stomach. This drains stomach juices. It is usually removed several days after surgery.

When should you call your doctor?

You have questions or concerns.

You don't understand how to prepare for your surgery.

You become ill before the surgery (such as fever, flu, or a cold).

You need to reschedule or have changed your mind about having the surgery.

Current as of: July 26, 2023

Content Version: 14.0

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

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