Is a bowel transplant right for you?


A bowel transplant is sometimes the best treatment for bowel failure in patients who are fit enough for the operation

Key points

  • A bowel transplant can prolong or improve the life of patients with long-term bowel failure
  • It is not a cure, there are risks as well as benefits
  • Tests will be needed to determine if you are able to have a bowel transplant
  • Bowel transplants are not suitable for everyone

Can you have a bowel transplant?

To have a bowel transplant, you must be well enough to cope with major surgery.

Who is able to have a bowel transplant?

Steps to having a bowel transplant

Every case is unique, but there are some steps all bowel transplant patients go through.

Get an overview of the process

Tests to see if you're able to have a bowel transplant

If your doctor thinks you may be suitable for a bowel transplant, they will arrange for you to have a series of tests. 

What tests will you need?

Alternatives to a bowel transplant

A bowel transplant is not always the best choice for patients. 

What's the safest option for you?

What is severe bowel disease?

Find out what the bowels do and learn about bowel disease.

Learn about bowel disease

Bowel transplant FAQs

Get answers to commonly asked bowel transplant questions. 

Find answers

Discuss your options with your bowel doctor (gastroenterologist)

If you’re considering a bowel transplant, your first step is to talk to your bowel doctor.

If you and your doctor agree that a transplant may be a good treatment for you, they will arrange for you to have a series of tests or will ask a bowel transplant team to talk to you.

More information

Combined bowel and other organ transplants

If you have other organs that are seriously diseased, you might need more than one type of organ transplant.  

Types of bowel transplant

Benefits and risks of a bowel transplant

Find out how a bowel transplant can help and problems that might occur.

What are the pros and cons?

Go to the first page in this section: Who is able to have a bowel transplant >