Kidney Transplants

What is Kidney Transplant?

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure used to replace a deceased person’s failing kidney with a healthy kidney from a living donor. When you have end-stage kidney failure, which is severe, your body is unable to eliminate excess fluid and waste. This poses a serious risk to your health and could be fatal. Dialysis or a kidney transplant are your alternatives for treatment when your kidneys have failed. Compared to dialysis, a Kidney Transplants could give you a longer lifespan and a higher quality of life.Learn more about transplanting organs.

Do I have a good chance of receiving a kidney transplant?

Your medical team will determine if a kidney transplant is medically appropriate for you. Your general health will determine this. It also depends on your willingness to have the actual operation and to take part in ongoing care to maintain your newly transplanted kidney. It is critical to comprehend your condition as well as the possible advantages and disadvantages of a kidney transplant before deciding whether to proceed. Learn more about the queries you should pose to your medical staff.

Kidney donors in a Kidney Transplants

When a person passes away, they have the option to give their kidneys; this is known as a deceased donor. It’s possible that this person was already listed as an organ donor, or that they and their family made the decision to donate organs. They have no say in who receives their kidneys. Additionally, a person who donates one kidney while still living is referred to as a living donor. You can typically have a trouble-free, safe life with your one remaining kidney if you give one. You have the option to give your kidney to a friend or family member. Alternatively, you can decide to give your kidney to a stranger.

Visit DonateLife to register as a donor or to learn more about organ or tissue donation after death.

The Kidney Transplants Waiting list

Your name will be added to a waiting list if you meet the requirements for a kidney transplant and you do not have a living donor. This is a result of the fact that there are never enough kidney donors to meet the demand from patients in need of transplants. You must begin dialysis while you wait for a kidney donor to become available. A kidney donor usually has to wait two to three years. A kidney is presented to the most suitable candidate based on blood tests and further matching criteria when a donor kidney becomes available. 

You must constantly be reachable by phone while waiting for a kidney transplant in case a suitable donor kidney becomes available. Being as fit and healthy as possible will help you recover from your kidney transplant and prepare you for it. As you await your turn on the waiting list, you ought to: As directed by your healthcare provider, limit your intake of food and liquids. Adhere to your Dialysis regimen. Obtain adequate exercise. If you are overweight, strive to reduce your weight; avoid or give up smoking.

What is the procesure of Kidney Transplants?

Typically, a kidney transplant takes two to three hours. Your lower abdomen will be sliced by the surgeon, who will then carefully situate the new kidney in your pelvis. The ureter of the replacement kidney will join your bladder. Additionally, it must be linked to your blood supply. Unless your damaged kidneys are causing a medical problem, they are usually not removed. Most patients need to stay in the hospital for six to ten days following surgery in order to heal. To empty your bladder for a few days, a catheter—a tube—will be implanted into your bladder. You could require dialysis for a brief period of time until your replacement kidney starts to function if it does not. To monitor the function of your replacement kidney, you will have routine blood tests and scans. An artificial ureter will join the new kidney to the bladder.

 Additionally, it must be linked to your blood supply. Generally speaking, kidney illness does not necessitate their removal unless it is creating serious health issues. Typically, a catheter—a temporary tube used to drain urine—will be placed in your body for a few days. You could require dialysis for a brief period of time until your replacement kidney starts to function if it does not. Your healthcare team will monitor kidney function and look for early indicators of your body rejecting treatment. You will most likely need to spend a few weeks in the hospital following surgery in order to heal.