Kidney Transplant Process: From Evaluation to Recovery

Dr.Umesh Gupta, 4 mins read

A person with ESRD (end-stage renal disease) or kidney failure has only two options - dialysis and kidney transplant. At such a moment, often kidney transplant is considered the best option. 

Benefits of kidney transplant

• No dependency on dialysis
• Better quality of life
• Improves life expectancy
• Fewer dietary restrictions
• Lower treatment cost

However, getting a kidney transplant is an arduous process as many people are already in the queue to get a kidney either from diseased persons or live donors. As per the data, the annual requirement for kidneys in India is around 2-3 lakhs, but only 6,000 transplants occur in reality. This shows the huge gap between availability and need. 

If you’re considering a kidney transplant, it’s important to know the complete process of a kidney transplant, right from the evaluation to recovery.

Evaluation

At this stage, your doctor will evaluate your health based on various tests to know whether you are a good candidate for the transplant. Then, the doctor will help you find the right kidney match and describe the whole procedure. He will also explain the benefits and complications of the procedure.

Paperwork

The doctor and a legal team will ask you to fill out some forms required for the transplant process as per the norms set by regulatory bodies.

Procedure

On the surgery day, the doctor will once again evaluate your condition. If everything goes as per the plan, the doctor will give you general anaesthesia. Once you get numb, the procedure will be initiated.

The doctor will make an incision in your belly and place the new kidney. Usually, the failed or diseased kidney is not taken out. 

After placing the kidney in the correct position, the doctor connects the new kidney to the bladder. The new kidney usually starts making urine during the surgery or soon after. Sometimes this can take a few days. 

Post-surgery, you will be shifted to a specialised unit, where the doctor and nursing team monitor you until you awake. You need to stay a few days in the hospital. When the doctor finds that you’re recovering at a good pace, you’ll be discharged with some medications and some aftercare tips.

Recovery

You may feel soreness and pain around the incision site for a few days. For the first few weeks, you need to take plenty of rest at home. Most people are able to do normal activities and return to their work within eight to twelve weeks of the surgery. 

You need to periodically visit the hospital, follow up with the doctor and take prescribed medicines timely and regularly. Also, you need to follow the aftercare advice.  In every visit, your doctor will monitor the new kidney’s functioning and other vitals. 

Over time, you’ll start to feel better as your body heals. You also need to continuously keep a watch on yourself. If you experience anything unusual, contact your doctor immediately.

Also, Read: Kidney failure: Top reasons why it happens; warning symptoms