@danab HE is short for hepatic encephalopathy. HE episodes occur when your liver cannot filter out the toxins due to extensive damage so the toxin, ammonia, goes to your brain causing confusion, irrationality, and various symptoms. I had some mild ones that went away just by taking a good, long nap, but also some more severe ones that required hospitalization. My episodes were fairly distinct, most of the time I was perfectly cognizant, but some people are in an almost constant fog. When people are in a constant fog, or have HE episodes that come on quickly and unpredictably, they can’t drive anymore. I would either wake up with an HE episode or could predict it because I would get a severe stomachache, something I have not heard of others having. I was able to lead my normal life most of the time.
At their most severe they can cause coma and even death.
For me, not being in control of myself was frightening and extremely upsetting. I had it in my mind that if I would firmly resist it I could prevent it, but that is not true.

I have heard that some people do have a second surgery, I had forgotten about that because mine have been fine.
JK