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How Long Can Someone Live After A Kidney Transplant

How Much Does A Kidney Transplant Cost

Cristina Howorun on what life’s like after a kidney transplant

Kidney transplant is a major surgery which can be very expensive in certain countries. The top medical destinations of the world, such as India, UAE, Thailand, Turkey offer affordable solutions for people who are willing to travel abroad for this procedure.

Different countries have different requirements and regulations regarding organ donation and transplantation procedures. Most countries allow donors who are third or fourth-degree relatives of the recipient, but it may not be possible in all countries.

The kidney transplant cost in India starts from USD 13,000 and may vary depending on different hospitals based on several factors. The same procedure in Western countries, such as the UK and USA, may cost more than USD 60,000 and range as high as USD 340,000.

The kidney transplant cost in Turkey starts from 16,500 which is significantly lower than in many other countries. The affordability of the health packages allows international patients to save a considerable amount of money on the treatment without compromising on the quality of patient services.

There are some general factors that influence the cost of procedures such as kidney transplants in a country. These mainly include:

  • Type of transplant surgery
  • Location of hospital
  • Length of stay in the hospital and choice of room category
  • Whether dialysis is needed
  • Whether any other medical procedure or a special test is required

Expert Care Yields Excellent Results

Positive outcomes like Wiggins are common among people with multi-organ failure who come to Duke for treatment. Duke surgeons perform five to 10 combined kidney and liver transplants each year. They also do combined kidney and heart transplants, as well as kidney and lung transplants.

If someone has a lung, heart or liver problem with concurrent kidney dysfunction, theyre likely to find smiling faces at Duke, Dr. Ellis said. Were very comfortable with that.

Duke consistently achieves very positive outcomes following multi-organ transplants, and treats more very sick people than most centers in its region. However, that high volume doesnt tell the whole story Duke also prides itself on the exceptional care it provides people, care that is delivered on a very personal level.

The real joy of the job is watching patients like Kenn as they heal and get stronger, and get back to living their lives, Dr. Berg said.

What Happens After A Kidney Transplant

Most people spend about three days in the hospital after a kidney transplant. This way, your medical team can keep a close eye on you and make sure youre recovering well.

Your new transplanted kidney may start working immediately. Or, you may need dialysis temporarily until it starts working. This might take several days or weeks.

Youll also need to start taking medications to keep your immune system from rejecting your new transplanted kidney.

What will my kidney transplant scar look like?

Your scar will be about 2 to 5 inches long, on the right or left side of your lower abdomen.

How long does a kidney transplant last?

How long a kidney transplant lasts can vary from person to person. In general, kidneys donated by a living person last longer than kidneys donated by a deceased person. On average, however, transplanted kidneys last approximately 10 years.

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Exercise And Weight Loss

Once you’ve started to recover from the effects of surgery, you should try to do regular physical activity.

Adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week. This includes any activity that increases your heart and breathing rate it may make you sweat, but you are still able to hold a normal conversation.

Examples include:

  • tennis

Choose physical activities that you enjoy, as you’re more likely to continue doing them.

It’s unrealistic to meet these exercise targets immediately if you have not exercised much in the past. You should aim to start gradually and then build on it.

If you’re overweight or obese, you should try to achieve a healthy weight. This can be safely done through a combination of eating a healthy, calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise. Aim for a body mass index of 18.5 to 25.

Read more about exercise and losing weight safely.

Does Living Donation Affect Life Expectancy

Average Life Expectancy After Kidney Transplant

Living donation does not change life expectancy, and does not appear to increase the risk of kidney failure. In general, most people with a single normal kidney have few or no problems however, you should always talk to your transplant team about the risks involved in donation. Some studies report that living donors may have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure. It is recommended that potential donors consult with their doctor about the risks of living donation.

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When Can I Return To My Normal Activities

You will likely be able to start to return to your normal activities within a month after your transplant. These include:

  • Exercising: When you go home, try to walk for about 15-20 minutes every day, and slowly add more time. Avoid strenuous exercise or lifting weights until your transplant team advises that you can.
  • Returning to work or school: You should be able to return to school or work within two months. Your transplant team can help you decide what is best for you. If you need to find a new job, ask your social worker to connect you with a career counselor.
  • Driving: You can start driving 2-4 weeks after your transplant. The delay is because pain medicines and other medicines you have to take right after a transplant can affect your vision and cause tremors . When you start driving again, you may want to have someone ride with you.
  • Traveling: Now that you have more energy, you may want to take a trip! Usually, your transplant team will ask that you wait 2-3 months before taking a trip, and 6-12 months before traveling outside of the U.S. Because you have a higher chance of getting an infection, talk to your transplant team before you travel. They can make sure you have enough refills on your medicines and get any vaccines you may need.
  • Having sex: You should wait 4-6 weeks after your transplant, or until your surgery site is healed, before you have sex. Talk to your transplant team about safe sex or a birth control method that is right for you.

What Are The Chances Of A Successful Transplant

Living kidney transplantation is usually very successful with 96% of donated kidneys working well a year after the operation. This compares with a success rate of 93% for kidneys from deceased donors. However, there is no guarantee that a transplant will be successful and sadly, a tiny number of people have very serious complications and the kidney has to be removed. If you are thinking about becoming a living kidney donor, it is important to consider how you might feel if the transplant is not successful.

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Us Kidney Transplant Survival Rates Continue To Improve

For Journalists

Want to Make an Appointment or Need Patient Information?Contact UPMC atGo to Find a Doctor to search for a UPMC doctor.

8/18/2021

PITTSBURGH The New England Journal of Medicine

CAPTION: Sundaram Hariharan, M.D., professor of medicine and surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and senior transplant nephrologist, UPMC.

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How Is Kidney Transplant Surgery Performed

How long can one live after kidney transplantation?

The surgery for a kidney transplant is performed with general anesthesia, so the patient is not awake and feels no pain during the procedure. The nephrologist and the medical team closely monitor the heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen level throughout the duration of the surgery. It usually takes around four to six hours to perform the surgery.

Following steps are performed:

  • An incision is made by the surgeon on the lower part of one side of the abdomen and the new kidney is placed into the body. The older kidneys of the patient are left in the body unless they are causing complications, such as kidney stones, high blood pressure, pain or infection.
  • The blood vessels in the lower part of the abdomen are attached to the blood vessels of the new kidney.
  • The new kidney and the ureter are connected to the bladder.

There are two types of kidney transplants based on the source of the new kidney:

  • In this, the new healthy kidney comes from someone who has recently died . The kidney is removed from the deceased person and it is done with the consent from family or from the donor himself/herself prior to death. The donated kidney may be stored on ice or connected to a machine that provides oxygen and nutrients to the kidney until it is transplanted into a recipient with end-stage renal disease.
  • Another type of kidney transplant is known as a Preemptive kidney transplant in which the patient receives a new kidney before going on dialysis.

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    Could You Volunteer To Be A Living Kidney Donor

    Healthy people who wish to help a loved one or stranger with kidney disease may volunteer to give a kidney. Volunteer is the key word this must be something that you choose to do and feel comfortable doing.

    Anyone volunteering will be asked to undertake a series of tests so that the medical team can be absolutely sure that you are suitable to donate. Your health and safety is of primary concern and it is important to be aware from the start that, even if you want to be a donor, not everyone is suitable and you may be unable to donate. It is also important to remember that even if you do volunteer, you can change your mind at any point in the process right up to the time of surgery.

    What Happens During A Kidney Transplant

    A kidney transplant requires a stay in a hospital. Procedures may varydepending on your condition and your healthcare provider’s practices.

    Generally, a kidney transplant follows this process:

  • You will remove your clothing and put on a hospital gown.

  • An intravenous line will be started in your arm or hand. More catheters may be put in your neck and wrist to monitor the status of your heart and blood pressure, and to take blood samples. Other sites for catheters include under the collarbone area and the groin blood vessels.

  • If there is too much hair at the surgical site, it may be shaved off.

  • A urinary catheter will be inserted into your bladder.

  • You will be positioned on the operating table, lying on your back.

  • Kidney transplant surgery will be done while you are asleep under general anesthesia. A tube will be inserted through your mouth into your lungs. The tube will be attached to a ventilator that will breathe for you during the procedure.

  • The anesthesiologist will closely watch your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery.

  • The skin over the surgical site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.

  • The healthcare provider will make a long incision into the lower abdomen on one side. The healthcare provider will visually inspect the donor kidney before implanting it.

  • The renal artery and vein of the donor kidney will be sewn to the external iliac artery and vein.

  • The donor ureter will be connected to your bladder.

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    Investigating The Underlying Cause

    Urine can be tested for protein, blood cells, sugar and waste products, which may give clues to the underlying cause.

    Doctors also need to know about:

    An ultrasound scan should reveal if the cause is a blockage in the urinary system, such as an enlarged prostate or bladder tumour.

    What Is The Average Life Expectancy After A Kidney Transplant

    Kidney Transplant in Delhi, India Call:9811004805

    The life expectancy after kidney transplantation may depend on a number of factors, including the donor kidney a living or deceased donor, how well the kidney is matched for blood group and tissue type, and the age and overall health of the patient receiving the donors kidney.

    On average, a kidney from a living donor lasts is known to last about 15 to 20 years. Some may last even longer if proper care is taken by the recipient. Patients in the age group of 40 or less may have a life expectancy of around 22 years after a kidney transplant.

    However, with increasing age, such as with people in the age group of 50, the life expectancy goes down to 16 years, and those in their 60s may have a life expectancy of 11.5 years after a successful kidney transplant. If a kidney transplant fails, the patient is usually put back on the waiting list for another transplant. They may also need dialysis in the meantime.

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    Life After Kidney Transplant

    When a person’s kidney no longer functions correctly, a kidney transplant may be needed. The surgical procedure removes the dysfunctional organ and replaces the impaired kidney with a donated one.

    Your body needs at least one kidney to survive. The organ’s main function is to remove waste and excessive fluid from your blood. If your body is infiltrated by high levels of toxins, you can develop end-stage kidney disease or kidney failure. The best treatment in this case is kidney transplant.

    Can I Ask Questions At My Assessment

    Yes. The doctor will tell you some information about transplantation and what is involved but you should also ask any questions you may have about transplantation. It may be an idea to write down any questions you want to ask and bring them with you. You may find it useful to bring along a relative or friend for support and to discuss any issues raised at your consultation. You should also attend one of our transplant information evenings to make sure that you and your relatives are fully prepared for a transplant. If you have any further questions, you can ring the pre-transplant assessment nurse on 020 7794 0500 x 34084.

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    Will I Be Able To Obtain Insurance Coverage After Donation

    Your health insurance should not be affected by donation. The Affordable Care Act has made it illegal for health insurance companies to refuse to cover you or charge you more because you have a pre-existing condition.

    However, some living donors have reported either having difficulty getting life insurance or facing higher premiums for life insurance. In such cases, it may be necessary for transplant centers to inform the insurance carrier of existing data that report that the patient is not at increased risk of death because of donation.

    If you already have insurance, check your insurance contracts carefully to see if living donation would affect your current policies. You might also want to consult with a lawyer who is knowledgeable about insurance law.

    What Is The Recovery Process After A Kidney Transplant

    How to Become a Living Donor for Kidney Transplants

    You may have to stay in the hospital for several days after a kidney transplant or longer if there are complications with the surgery.

    After the transplant, you will be prescribed antibiotics, as well as immunosuppressant medications which prevent your immune system from rejecting the new kidney. Remember to take all the medications as instructed.

    You will also need to have regular follow-ups with your kidney transplant team. Blood tests may need to be taken several times a week, with the frequency reducing over time. These checkups are to ensure that your kidneys and immunosuppressant medications are working well. Your doctor may check for signs of transplant rejection such as:

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    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:

    Who Should Get A Kidney Transplant

    If you are diagnosed with kidney failure, or youre at Stage 3 CKD or Stage 4 CKD and considering a kidney transplant procedure down the line, talk to your doctor about whether or not kidney transplant surgery is right for you. If youre in otherwise good health and your doctor determines that you meet the requirements, a kidney transplant may be a good option. Generally, doctors consider a kidney transplant to be the best kidney failure treatment, whenever possible.

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    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 Is Done To Prevent Rejection

    LIVE WITH KIDNEY(RENAL) DISEASE: March 2013

    To allow the transplanted kidney to survive in your body, you will be givenmedicines for the rest of your life to fight rejection. Each person mayreact differently to medicines.

    New antirejection medicines are continually being developed and approved.Your healthcare team will tailor medicine regimes to meet your needs.

    Usually several antirejection medicines are given at first. The doses ofthese medicines may change often, depending on your response. Becauseantirejection medicines affect the immune system you will be at higher riskfor infections. A balance must be maintained between preventing rejectionand making you very susceptible to infection.

    Some of the infections you will be especially at risk for include oralyeast infection ,herpes, and respiratory viruses. Avoid contact with crowds and anyone who has aninfection for the first few months after your surgery.

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