Liver Transplant

We are the No. 1 liver transplant program in Texas and No. 2 in the country. We are also a designated Center of Excellence by OptumHealth for cadaveric liver donation.

Benefit from distinctive care, efficient processes and compassionate support and services. You’ll appreciate:

• Bilingual staff and translators to make sure you are informed and understood throughout the transplant process
• Centrally located Transplant Institute services in San Antonio’s medical center area
• Dedicated, vital transplant research and innovation programs allowing you access to the most advanced, up-to-date treatment options, techniques and medications
• Easy-access transplant outreach clinics in South Texas cities, such as Austin, Corpus Christi, New Braunfels, Laredo and El Paso
• Excellence and quality designations and recognitions for transplant services
• Financial counselors to help you understand your costs for a transplant and interpret your insurance benefits
• High success and survival rates for liver transplant―Our outcomes are the best in Texas and exceed national expectations, according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients
• Knowledgeable, experienced transplant doctors with medical expertise in their field and surgeons who have performed more than 1,885 liver transplants
• Pre- and post-transplant patient education, resources and support services
• Second-highest number of living-donor liver transplants in the U.S. in 2019
• The only program in South and Central Texas to offer living-donor liver transplants. It is a streamlined approach to living liver donation that helps you get a transplant quicker

UT Health San Antonio Partnership

In partnership with UT Health San Antonio, our deep expertise, years of experience, devotion to patient-centered care and dedication to research makes us a leader in liver transplants. We perform transplants for children and adults.

How to Get Transplant Care

When your liver specialist (gastroenterologist or hepatologist) recommends transplantation as a treatment option, look to University Health for the care you need. If you match the patient criteria for a transplant, your doctor can start the referral process. You also can make an appointment without a doctor’s referral.

Evaluation Process

Learn if you are eligible for liver transplantation at University Health through an evaluation. Plan for:

• Your first visit to University Health Transplant Institute
• Evaluation and testing to find out if you are a candidate for transplantation based on your health and medical conditions
• Finding out if you are an approved candidate for a liver transplant

Transplant Process

If you are a candidate and transplantation is your best treatment option, you’ll:

• Consider living liver donation
• Maintain your health and while you’re on the liver transplant waiting list
• Have liver transplant surgery
• Recover after transplant surgery and follow-up care

Types of Liver Donors

Your liver is the only organ in the body that can regenerate (grow back). That means you may opt to receive a liver from a living person who wants to donate a small part of their liver. Rely on us to perform the following types of liver transplants:

• Deceased donor – Your new liver comes from a deceased donor as it becomes available through the national computerized waiting list known as United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
• Living donor – Your new liver comes from a living donor, such as a family member, close friend or someone you do not know.