New Transplant Procedure Helps Farmingdale Dad Save Son's Life

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- One dad is celebrating the gift of his son this Father's Day.

Adam Bruzzese recently underwent transplant surgery to donate part of his liver to his son, Charlie, CBS 2's Dick Brennan reported Friday.

When it became clear that Charlie, who was born with liver disease, would need a transplant, Bruzzese tested himself to see if he would be a compatible match.

When tests indicated that he was a perfect candidate, Bruzzese volunteered to be his son's donor.

"I was like, lets do it tomorrow. You can do it without anesthesia, let's go to work," Bruzzese said.

The father of two benefited from a new laparoscopic transplant procedure, done only at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Instead of one major incision, surgeons make five smaller ones, cutting donor recovery time in half.

"Most of our donors who have undergone laparoscopic donation have been able to go back to work in three or four weeks. They're off of pain medicine usually in seven to 10 days," Dr. Benjamin Samstein said.

This meant that Bruzzese was able to get back to work sooner, help his wife care for Charlie and quickly assume his normal duties as dad.

Post-surgery, Charlie is doing fine and doctors said that if all goes well he will grow up healthy.

In the meantime, Bruzzese said he is worrying about seeing Charlie through to a complete recovery and taking time to celebrate fatherhood.

"I'm just thankful that I get to be a dad, too, and that James has his brother. And it is going well," Bruzzese said.

How do you feel about Bruzzese's liver donation? Sound off in the comments section below.