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Recipient

What are the two kinds of kidney transplants? Top
Kidneys for transplant may come from a person who has died (a deceased or cadaveric donor), or from a healthy living person, like a family member or a friend who offers to donate a kidney (a living donor).  
   
Who cannot get a kidney transplant?  

Many patients assume they are too old for transplant but if you are otherwise healthy, age is not a factor in determining your transplant eligibility. However, there are some other factors that prevent patients from getting a kidney transplant:

  • Active cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Untreatable psychiatric illness

*Patients with current life expecting less than 5 years cannot get a kidney transplant. However, you and your transplant doctor will discuss your eligibility during the transplant evaluation process.

  
   
When is the best time to get a kidney transplant?  
In general, the sooner you get a kidney transplant, the better is outcome. Transplant team and your nephrologists will determine the best time for you.  
   
What medications will I have to take afterward? Top

Anti-rejection medications are taken as long as you have your transplanted kidney. Following transplant, patients usually take:

  • Three types of medication to prevent kidney rejection
  • Medications for other health issues (blood pressure, insulin, etc.)
  
   
Who pays for the costs of transplant and other medications?  
The recipient pays for all of the transplant surgery and related expenses.  
Shortly before going into surgery, medicine is given to the patients to help them relax. A general anesthetic is then given. The donor and recipient are in adjacent operating rooms. The transplant surgeon removes the kidney from the donor and prepares it for transplant into the recipient. There, the surgeon connects the renal artery and vein of the new kidney to the recipient’s artery and vein. This creates blood flow through the kidney, which makes urine. The ureter, or tube coming down from the donor kidney, is sewn into the bladder. Usually, the new kidney will start working right away. Sometimes, it takes several days for the donor kidney to “wake up.”  
   
How long will I be in the hospital?  
Patients typically spend from three to seven days in the hospital following kidney transplant surgery.  
   
What risks are there for a kidney patient? Top
Death from Surgery: less than 1 percent (same as for any major surgery)
Surgical Complications: infection, fever, bleeding, blood clots
Failure Risk: Kidney failing in first year (5-10 percent)		  
   
How successful are kidney transplant surgeries?  
Most transplanted kidneys start working immediately but some start working slowly and you may need dialysis from 1 to 3 weeks after surgery. Only 1 to 2 percent transplants fail immediately.  
   
What would happen if my kidney transplant didn’t work? Would I die?  
No. If the transplant doesn’t work, you can start your dialysis again pursue another transplant.  
   
What can patients do if they want a transplant but don’t have a living donor? Top
Patients who do not have a living donor can keep in touch with us (the PHOTA)/register themselves with our local OPC to get a deceased donor transplant.  
   
Is there a difference between having a living or deceased donor transplant?  
Yes. Living donor transplants last longer than deceased donor transplants because a living donor kidney is removed from a healthy donor in the operating room and transplanted right away.  
   
Can a person live longer with a transplant compared to staying on dialysis? Top
Yes. Patients who have a transplant generally live longer than patients who stay on dialysis. The transplanted kidney works 24 hours a day to remove 50-85% of the total waste your body generates. Dialysis on the other hand only removes 15% of total waste and only when on the dialysis machine.