Right after surgery you will go to the post anesthesia unit (PACU) or intensive care unit (ICU). During this time, the doctors and nurses will monitor you very closely. When you wake up, you will hear sounds that may be unfamiliar-- like the respirator helping you breathe and the machines that are monitoring your vital signs (heartbeat, blood pressure and breathing). If you have a breathing tube in place, you will not be able to talk.

There will be an intravenous line (IV) called a "central line" in your neck and another IV in your arm. We will give you medicine and fluids through these IVs. There will be a catheter tube in your bladder to keep an accurate record of how much urine you are making. Don't be alarmed to see clots and blood-tinged urine in the tube. This is normal after surgery.

Some patients feel nauseated from the anesthesia they were given. If this happens to you, we will give you medication for relief. You may have some pain and discomfort from the surgery, but we will given you medication to relieve that as well.

How will the doctors and nurses take care of you?
We will be checking the dressing on your incision (surgical cut) frequently and may change it. It is not unusual for fluids to drain from the incision for a while after your operation. We will also be monitoring how well your new organ is functionoing by:

• taking blood tests
• measuring and testing fluids your body produces
• performing X-rays when necessary