Kidney Transplant – All about Donor and Recipient

A kidney transplant isn’t just treatment—it’s the start of a healthier, fuller life. From restoring kidney function to freeing you from dialysis, this journey brings real hope. We’re here to walk you through every detail and stand by your side all the way.

What is a kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant is a surgery where a person receives a kidney from a healthy donor. The new kidney takes over the work of the failed kidney so you can live a near normal life. A kidney transplant is the best treatment for kidney failure.

What is kidney donation?

A healthy human being has two functioning kidneys, and they donate one kidney to a person living with kidney failure. The donated kidney is placed in

The lower abdomen of the recipient and surgically connected to the blood vessels and the urinary bladder.

What are the types of kidney donations?

Kidneys can be donated by an

A – living donor (usually a family member or a relative)

B – deceased donor (brain dead or non-living)

Who can donate kidneys?

Parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and spouses of the patient can donate a kidney.

What are the eligibility criteria for being able to donate a kidney?

A good living donor must be:

• Above 18 years of age.
• Must be a compatible blood type match and have genetic similarities to ensure a greater chance of successful transplant.
• No evidence of significant evidence of high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, heart failure, or liver failure.

You may not be eligible to donate a kidney if you:

• Are elderly
• Have serious health conditions or kidney disease
• Are severely obese
• Are currently abusing drugs or alcohol

What does the process of kidney donation look like?

• Pre Transplant evaluation: Medical Tests, Screening for major health issues and Immune related testing
• Surgery: Transplant operation performed laparoscopically or through open surgery. Donors are usually discharged after 3–4 days in the hospital.
• Recovery: Takes 2-6 Weeks to resume normal daily activities.

What are the risks and complications associated with kidney donation?

As with any major surgery, there are some short-term complications associated with kidney transplantation. There may be pain, discomfort, infection, and allergic reactions to anesthesia.

There might be mild to moderate pain initially after the surgery, which is easily manageable with simple medications. In the long term, there is a slightly increased risk of developing high blood pressure. Minimal increase in risk of kidney disease and failure in future.

What does life after kidney donation look like?

One healthy kidney is enough for a normal human to lead a healthy, disease-free life.

There are no dietary restrictions for kidney donors after surgery. A healthy lifestyle with annual health checkups and regular follow ups should suffice to maintain optimum health.

Can I sustain a pregnancy after kidney donation?

Yes, a safe pregnancy is possible after kidney donation. It requires careful monitoring due to increased risk of gestational hypertension (pregnancy induced high blood pressure), gestational diabetes (pregnancy induced diabetes), pre-eclampsia, fetal loss, etc.

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RECIPIENT FAQS:

As a recipient of a kidney, what happens to my kidneys after the transplant?

In most cases your diseased kidneys are left in your body except in the following cases:

• Infection in the old kidney that could spread to your new kidney.
• Unmanageable high blood pressure caused by your old diseased kidneys.
• Reflux or backflow of urine into old kidneys.

How long can I live after getting a kidney transplant?

Life expectancy after a kidney transplant depends on various factors including age, donor type and compliance to post transplant treatment:

• Patients who receive kidneys from a living donor usually live longer.
• Not taking prescribed medications after getting a transplant significantly reduces your life expectancy because of increased chances of transplant rejection.

Currently the average survival rate for post-transplant patients for 3-5 years is 90%. Many patients are known to live long healthy lives of upto >30 years post successful renal transplant surgery.

What is the recovery time after getting a transplant?

It takes 2-3 months for complete recovery after a kidney transplant. You can return to work within a few months after surgery.

How long will the hospital admission be for the transplant surgery?

In most successful cases, the hospital admission time is between 5-7 days, but the amount of time you may need to be admitted also depends upon your body’s response to the surgery.

Who cannot undergo a transplant?

The following factors disqualify a person from undergoing transplant:

• Active cancer or recently treated cancer.
• People with dementia, people with poorly controlled mental illnesses.
• Recurrent infections.
• Severe Obesity
• Current drug/alcohol abuse.

What is the recovery process like after a transplant?

You will be given antibiotic medications for a short period of time followed by long term immunosuppressant therapy to protect the transplanted kidney from rejection by your body.

You will need to be in continuous follow up with your nephrologist after the transplant, especially in the first year after surgery.

How often should you see your doctor after the transplant?

You shoulder see your doctor:

• 2 times a week for the first 2 weeks followed by 1 time a week for the next 2 weeks.
• 1 time every 2 weeks in the 2nd month after surgery
• 1 time a month until 6 months after surgery
• Once every month from the 6th month to 1 year after surgery.
• Once a year from then on.

What lifestyle and dietary changes should you make after getting a transplant?

Lifestyle changes:

• Avoid lifting heavy objects and doing strenuous activities for the first 6-8 weeks.
• You can start mild exercise gradually after a few months with stretches and mild aerobics, etc.
• Avoid driving for at least 6 weeks.
• Avoid contact sports.
• Quit Smoking.

Dietary changes:

• Stay hydrated and drink 2 litres/day.
• Don’t eat raw or undercooked food.
• Take a well-balanced diet with plenty of protein.
• Do not take grapefruit: it has a strong reaction to anti-rejection medications.
• Avoid herbal supplements, vitamin supplements, or protein supplements unless prescribed by your kidney doctor.
• Do not take over the counter medications such as NSAIDs (pain killers) that include ibuprofen, naproxen etc., antihistamines and antacids.
• Consult your doctor for any minor illness symptoms. Do not self-medicate.

What symptoms do you need to consult your doctor for?

• Fever with temperature =/> 100 F
• High blood pressure > 140/90mmHg
• Pain or tenderness around your surgical wound
• Flu like symptoms with fever, chills, headache, dizziness, vomiting, cough, cold etc.
• Decrease in quantity of urine, burning sensation during urination.

Contact Kidneyfy today to discover how our advanced kidney transplant services can help you live life to the fullest. Our team is here to guide you with the right advice, support, and care throughout your kidney transplant journey. Reach out now and take the first step toward a healthier tomorrow.