Hi katebw. My two biopsies were relatively simple. It is an outpatient surgery where your liver is first mapped by imaging. Then you are mildly sedated so you can hold your breath as the doctor does a minute incision in your right side by the ribs. It is so quick I asked if they had gotten the sample as they were putting a small bandage on my side. Because of the sedation you will need a driver to take you home. I was just a little sore by my ribs for a day.

I have read in medical information that if my liver biopsy did prove positive for an infection that would lead to rejection, the next step would be a week long treatment of high doses of prednisone for first day, test the next day, lower dose pred day 3', test the next day, lower still prednisone on day 5. Then there is an evaluation to see if the infection is gone. This step has a high success rate. So there are steps before it is even known if you would need a new liver.

I know it can be scary to think that you might have to go through the transplant process again but not only are there many reasons why enzymes can spike, there are also healing avenues too. FYI since my diagnosis I have met three people who either had or had relatives who had second transplants and all three are doing well.

I hope this info sheds light in what may seem like a dark hole. Barbara aka ajdo129