Kidney Transplant

There are two options for a kidney transplant - a living donor or a deceased donor. Your family members or other volunteers may be tested to determine if they are a suitable match for living kidney donation. If we don’t find a living donor match, you’ll go on a national waitlist for a deceased donor.

When it’s time for your surgery, a transplant coordinator (nurse specialist) will guide you through the process and surgery preparation, including:

• Placing lines, such as an IV, a bladder tube for urine, heart and blood pressure monitors, and a mouth tube attached to a ventilator
• Shaving and sterilizing operating areas
• Positioning you on your back
• A doctor gives you general anesthesia and checks heart rate, blood pressure and breathing during surgery.

Your surgeon makes an incision in your lower abdomen. It may take three or four hours to place the kidney. This includes connecting the donor organ blood vessels to yours, checking blood flow and connecting the ureter (drains urine) to your bladder.

Surgeons close the incision and add protective dressing.

Requirements for children or adults include:

• Chronic advanced or end-stage renal disease
• Strong heart and blood vessels
• No infections or disease
• No smoking or substance abuse
• Financial, practical and emotional support

• After surgery, you’ll go to recovery for observation before resting in your hospital room. Your team will discuss these or other details:
• You may need dialysis until your kidney makes urine.
• You’ll receive IV fluids, slowly progressing toward limited liquids and solids.
• You’ll have pain medication for any discomfort.
• Your team will monitor medications and kidney or other functions.
• Within a day, you’ll get out of bed and move around.

Hospital stays range from five days to a week or more. Kidney transplant donors typically stay two days. Before leaving, your care team will instruct you. You’ll learn about transplant side effects, preventive steps and follow-up care. Your nurse will discuss blood pressure management and kidney failure symptoms. A dietitian will discuss your kidney transplant diet.

You’ll need lifelong immune-suppressing medications so your immune system won’t attack your new kidney. Once home, you can relax or walk. Your physical therapist may suggest exercises but avoid strenuous lifting. Most people return to normal routines in two or three months. Full recovery takes six months or more.