Get Tested At A Transplant Center
At the transplant center, youll meet members of your transplant team. Youll have tests to make sure youre a good candidate for transplant.
Tests will include blood tests and tests to check your heart and other organsto make sure youre healthy enough for surgery. Some conditions or illnesses could make a transplant less likely to succeed, such as cancer that is not in remission, or current substance abuse.
Youll also have tests to check your mental and emotional health. The transplant team must be sure youre prepared to care for a transplanted kidney. Youll need to be able to understand and follow a schedule for taking the medicines you need after surgery.
In a process called cross-matching, the transplant team tests the donors blood against your blood to help predict whether your bodys immune system will accept or reject the new kidney.
If a family member or friend wants to donate a kidney and is a good match, that person will need a health exam to make sure he or she is healthy enough to be a donor. If you have a living donor, you dont need to be on a waiting list for a kidney and can schedule the surgery when its best for you, your donor, and your surgeon.
Testing and evaluation at the transplant center may take several visits over weeks to months.
What Are The Risks Of Kidney Transplant
The risks of kidney transplantation are the same as those of any surgery. There is the risk of bleeding, infection or breathing problems. You also might experience some side effects from the medications, and you could be more prone to infections since the medicine you will take after transplantation lowers your body’s ability to fight infection.
Kidney transplant rejection
Since your body recognizes the new kidney as a foreign object, it will normally try to get rid of it or “reject” it. However, youll be given medicine to prevent rejection.
Because of years of experience, research, and improved medicines that prevent rejection, kidney transplants are very successful with few complications after transplantation.
What Are The Benefits Of Kidney Transplant
A successful kidney transplant gives you increased strength, stamina and energy. After transplantation, you should be able to return to a more normal lifestyle and have more control over your daily living. You can have unrestricted diet and fluid intake.
If you were dependent on dialysis before the transplant, you’ll have more freedom because you won’t be bound to your dialysis schedules.
Anemia, a common problem with kidney failure, might be corrected after transplantation. If you have hypertension , you could be on fewer blood pressure medications after transplantation.
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Rogosin Institute Active Involvement
The Rogosin Institute has been actively involved in the development of immunosuppressive medications, including some of the earliest studies. These are the medications to help prevent rejection of the transplanted organ. Rogosin continues to improve treatments for transplant patients by driving advances in treatment protocols to decrease the need for these medications and to improve our already stellar transplant success rates.
The Financial Cost Of Donating An Organ May Be Higher Than You Think
Offering to donate a kidney or part of your liver as a living donor can help save a life, but the process may come with surprisingly high costs. Donating an organ could mean lost pay from time away from work, travel costs for surgery, and time off to recover and neither Medicare nor insurance covers these expenses, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Its estimated that living kidney donors in the United States bear out-of-pocket transplant-related costs of $5,000 on average, and up to $20,000, according to a past report.
But according to the National Kidney Foundation, a living donor wont have to pay for anything connected to the actual transplantation surgery. The National Living Donor Assistance Program and other similar programs may help cover some donation-related expenses. In addition, living donors may be eligible for sick leave and state disability under the federal Family Medical Leave Act, the National Kidney Foundation also notes, while federal employees, some state employees, and certain other workers may qualify for 30 days of paid leave.
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Potential Complications After Transplant Surgery
Acute Tubular NecrosisIn most cases, the transplanted kidney begins to make urine right away. Sometimes though, the kidney may have delayed function after surgery. This problem is called delayed graft function or acute tubular necrosis . Delayed graft function can occur as a result of factors related to the donor such as low blood pressure during CPR. Delayed graft function may also happen if the kidney has been stored for many hours after removal from the donor. It may also happen if the transplant recipient has unexpected bleeding during surgery or during a biopsy.
In some cases, your doctor can predict that delayed graft function will occur but other times it may happen unexpectedly.
There is no specific treatment for this problem. You will just need to patiently wait for your kidney to start working. Dialysis may be required for a few weeks or as long as three months.Delayed graft function or ATN is suspected when the creatinine does not fall quickly after transplant. In mild cases, the creatinine may come down only very slightly each day. If the creatinine remains high, there is no way to tell for sure whether rejection is also happening. In these cases, a biopsy is usually done so that your doctors can treat any rejection quickly.
Where Does My New Kidney Come From
Kidneys for transplantation might come from living donors or deceased organ donors. Immediate family members, spouses and friends may qualify for kidney donation. Deceased donor kidneys come from those who have elected to donate their organs upon death.
Potential kidney donors are carefully screened to make sure theyre a match. This helps prevent complications.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Transplant Evaluation And Listing
If your kidneys have stopped working properly, or may stop working soon, you have what is called end-stage kidney failure. There are a number of choices you can make. You will need to decide what medical treatment is best for you. Your doctor, patient support groups, and other people who have been treated for kidney disease can give you more information to help you. The more you learn, the better you may feel about your decision.
The two common options for treating end-stage kidney failure are dialysis and kidney transplantation. Either choice is a treatment, not a cure. Either option will involve ongoing medical care to keep you healthy. Some people will do better with one form of treatment than the other.
The following questions and answers can help you learn more about whether transplantation may be a good choice for you.
Out With The Old’ Isn’t Standard Procedure For Kidney Transplant Medical Edge
A:In most cases, even for patients with polycystic kidney disease , surgeons don’t remove the person’s native kidneys during kidney transplantation. Instead, the surgeon usually places the new kidney in the lower abdomen. The blood vessels of the new kidney are attached to blood vessels in the lower part of the abdomen, just above the leg. The new ureter the tube through which urine flows out of the kidney is connected to the bladder.
In some cases, surgeons may have to remove the native kidneys. For patients with polycystic kidney disease, for example, this removal may be necessary because of pain or discomfort, recurrent infection, bleeding from or into the kidney cysts, or extremely large kidneys that prevent a kidney transplant. Evidently, your brother’s kidneys, though enlarged, do not pose this problem.
It is possible for native kidneys to be removed after kidney transplantation if they cause problems such as the ones listed above. This is often preferable to removing them before the transplant because people tend to recover more quickly if they have a functioning kidney. Also, the risk of developing antibodies following blood transfusion is not as great after transplantation because the immunosuppressive drugs given to prevent rejection of the new kidney also fight the creation of antibodies.
Patrick Dean, M.D., transplantation surgery,
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Tribune Media Services
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What Does The Operation Involve
The operation is different depending on whether it is an open surgery or by laparoscopy. Both start with an incision made in the persons side, the blood vessels to the kidney get tied off, and the ureter is tied off and the kidney is taken out. Typically, donors recover from laparoscopic surgery within a week and from the open surgery within a couple of weeks.
The Waiting List For A Transplant
If you are suitable for a kidney transplant and you wish to have one, your name will be put on a waiting list. This is because there are usually not enough donor kidneys for the number of people who need a transplant at any one time. The average wait for a deceased donor kidney is about 3 years.
When a deceased donor kidney becomes available, a recipient is chosen based on the best blood and tissue match. You need to be contactable in case a suitable donor kidney becomes available.
To be ready for a kidney transplant and to help with your recovery, it is a good idea to be as healthy and fit as possible. In particular, you should:
- maintain recommended dietary and fluid restrictions
- keep to your dialysis schedule
- try to lose weight if you are overweight
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What Are The Possible Problems After A Kidney Transplant
The donated kidney may start working right away or may take up to a few weeks to make urine. If the new kidney doesnt start working right away, youll need dialysis treatments to filter wastes and extra salt and fluid from your body until it starts working.
Other problems following kidney transplant are similar to other pelvic surgeries and may include
- bleeding
- hernia
- pain or numbness along the inner thigh that usually goes away without treatment
Transplant rejection is rare right after surgery and can take days or weeks to occur. Rejection is less common when the new kidney is from a living donor than when its from a deceased donor.
Can I Contact My Donors Family
Many people who get a transplant want to say thank you or share progress with their donors family. You can contact your donors family through writing, which is often done anonymously without sharing your name or knowing their name. Ask your transplant social worker about how to contact your donors family.
If youre unsure what to say or how to say it, you can use these resources:
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How Much Does Kidney Transplant Cost
The organs found in our body each plays a vital role in our life. However, people do abusive things which result in a failure of these organs. One of these organs is the kidney. There are at least two ways to treat your kidney once it fails a dialysis or transplant. A lot of people prefer a kidney transplant since it gives them a better life quality, unlike dialysis.
In a kidney transplant, your old kidney will be replaced with a healthy one to do its job. It is better to talk to a patient who had a kidney transplant if you are planning to have one. You should also take to your doctor about it. But how much does kidney transplant cost?
How Can I Help My Child
Having a chronic condition can be hard for kids. Dialysis, surgery, and immunosuppressant therapy can add to the stress. Talk to your child about these changes and how you will work them into your routine. Make sure to find time to do fun things together with family and friends.
For teens, immunosuppressant therapy can be a challenge. These medicines can cause:
- getting acne or having acne that gets worse
- weight gain
- problems with increased blood sugars , sometimes requiring insulin
- high blood pressure
- increased risk of infection
These side effects are a major reason why teens are at risk for not taking their medicines after a transplant. This can be dangerous and even lead to rejection of the new kidney. Do not change or stop any medicines without talking to your doctor or nurse. In some cases, medicines can be changed to ease the side effects and still be effective and safe. Talk to about the importance of taking all medicines as directed, and help your child to do so.
To help:
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What Are The Kidney Transplant Requirements
Each hospital has its own criteria for accepting people as kidney transplant recipients. But in general, candidates should have:
- End-stage renal failure and be on dialysis.
- Late-stage chronic kidney disease, approaching the need for dialysis.
- A life expectancy of at least five years.
- A full understanding of postoperative instructions and care.
What is the best age for kidney transplant?
While most kidney transplant recipients are between the ages of 45 and 65, there really is no upper age limit. However, to ensure the best results, your healthcare provider will likely look for a donor who is close to your own age.
How many kidney transplants can a person have?
In some cases, people can have two and even three or four kidney transplants in their lifetime. Your healthcare provider can tell you if this is an option for you.
What disqualifies you from getting a kidney transplant?
Kidney transplants are approved on a case-by-case basis. However, there are some general factors that could make a person ineligible for a kidney transplant, such as:
- A serious health condition that makes it dangerous to have surgery.
- Recurring infection.
- A short life expectancy.
- Drug or alcohol abuse.
No matter what your situation, your healthcare provider can determine whether a kidney transplant is a safe treatment option.
What Are The Advantages Of Living Donation
There are three advantages to living donations versus getting a deceased donor kidney:
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Why Don’t They Remove The Old Kidneys During A Transplant
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. Moreover, do they remove your old kidney when you get a transplant?
Removing the old kidneys is very risky and should not be done unless there is uncontrolled infection, high blood pressure, or the kidneys are markedly enlarged such as with polycystic kidney disease . It is uncommon for us to recommend removal of native kidneys prior to kidney transplant.
Secondly, do polycystic kidneys shrink after a transplant? The average change of renal volume in the entire group was -0.28% per month, significantly smaller than in the transplanted patients . It is concluded that polycystic kidneys shrink after successful grafting, whereas volume changes vary on dialysis treatment.
Furthermore, why is the diseased kidney not removed?
In most cases, the diseased kidneys are not removed. There are three conditions that might require your diseased kidneys to be removed: Repeated infection that could spread to the transplanted kidney. Uncontrollable hypertension caused by your original kidneys.
How do they remove a kidney for transplant?
Traditionally, surgeons used a technique called open nephrectomy to remove a kidney. This involves the surgeon making an incision in the side of the abdomen to remove the kidney. A kidney is now usually removed using keyhole or laparoscopic surgical techniques.
Considering A Kidney Transplant
If you have serious kidney failure, a kidney transplant may be an option. A transplant may offer you both a longer, dialysis-free life, and a better quality of life.
Your healthcare team will assess whether you are medically suitable for a kidney transplant.
To decide whether you want a transplant, it is important to understand your condition and the potential benefits and risks of the procedure. You also need to be willing to undertake the self-care that will be required for the rest of your life after the operation. Read more about the questions to ask your healthcare team.
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How Do I Prepare For A Kidney Transplant
To get a kidney from an organ donor who has died , you must beplaced on a waiting list of the United Network for Organ Sharing .Extensive testing must be done before you can be placed on the transplantlist.
A transplant team carries out the evaluation process for a kidney. The teamincludes a transplant surgeon, a transplant nephrologist , one or moretransplant nurses, a social worker, and a psychiatrist or psychologist.Other team members may include a dietitian, a chaplain, and/or ananesthesiologist.
The evaluation includes:
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Mental health evaluation. Psychological and social issues involved in organ transplantation, such as stress, financial issues, and support by family and/or significant others are assessed. These issues can greatly affect the outcome of a transplant. The same kind of evaluation is done for a living donor.
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Blood tests. Blood tests are done to help find a good donor match, to check your priority on the donor list, and to help the chances that the donor organ will not be rejected.
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Diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests may be done to check your kidneys as well as your overall health status. These tests may include X-rays, ultrasound, kidney biopsy, and dental exams. Women may get a Pap test, gynecology evaluation, and a mammogram.
The transplant team will weigh all the facts from interviews, your medicalhistory, physical exam, and tests to determine your eligibility for kidneytransplantation.
These steps will happen before the transplant: