Postoperative Care: After the surgery, patients require intensive care in the hospital for a few weeks. They often resume eating in 1 – 2 weeks after transplant. Complications and signs of infections and rejection are closely monitored. Preventive antibiotics and immunosuppressive medications are given. Immunosuppressive medications are required life-long and require dose adjustments as needed. These medications suppress the recipient’s immune system, reducing the risk of the body attacking and rejecting the donor organ. Patients require long-term follow-ups to monitor their overall health and organ function, manage immunosuppressive medications and address any potential complications or rejection episodes.

Rejections & Infections: Intestine transplant patients are very susceptible to infections, both before the transplant and afterward. Infections before and early after transplant are commonly abdominal or in the IV lines. An episode of intestinal infection can trigger an episode of rejection and vice versa. Patients may not have typical symptoms of infection such as fever or abdominal pain as they may be masked by steroids and other immunosuppressive medicines. A high index of suspicion and periodic review with the transplant team may help with early diagnosis and treatment of either of these problems.