What Is a Kidney Transplant? A Beginner’s Guide for Patients and Families

A kidney transplant is a life-saving surgery that involves implanting a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into the patient’s abdomen. It is considered to support a non-working kidney with a functional one so that the body can resume normal operation. 

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs about the size of your hand that cleans waste from your blood and makes urine. When the kidneys fail to function, harmful substances build up in your body, which can be dangerous in the long run. At that moment, it calls for an urgent kidney transplant to provide a better life support system. 

This is a handy kidney transplant guide for patients where you will learn what a kidney transplant is, how a kidney transplant works, its types, eligibility requirements, benefits and risks of a kidney transplant, recovery after a kidney transplant, and how to get support for the treatment.

Understanding What is a Kidney Transplant 

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure of placing a healthy kidney from another person into the patient whose kidneys have failed to function properly. The healthy kidney takes over the functions of filtering waste from the blood, which helps the body work better. The old, damaged kidneys usually stay inside the body, and the new one is placed in the lower abdomen and connected to the blood vessels and bladder. 

This method helps with better recovery after a kidney transplant to live longer, healthier lives without requiring regular dialysis sessions. However, it is recommended to take prescribed medications to prevent rejection of the transplanted kidney and ensure it continues to function properly. 

Who Is a Kidney Donor, And Types Of Kidney Transplants 

A living or deceased person can be a kidney donor who gives one of their kidneys to someone whose kidneys have stopped functioning. The donor can still live a normal, healthy life with one kidney, and donating can save another person’s life, helping them feel better and live longer. 

This process ensures the donor’s safety through thorough medical evaluations and follow-up care, while giving the recipient a renewed chance for a healthier life. Now, let’s understand the differences between living vs deceased donors.

1. Living Donor

A living donor is a healthy person who chooses to give one of their kidneys to someone whose kidneys are not working. Receiving a kidney from a living donor allows the recipient to get a transplant sooner, which often leads to better outcomes and speedy recovery.  

A living donor can be a family member, friend, or even a stranger who is willing to donate for a social cause. The donation surgery is carefully planned and performed under strict medical supervision to ensure the living donor’s safety and long-term health. 

2. Deceased Donor

A deceased donor is a person who has recently died or passed away and has consented to donate their organs to help needy people. This usually happens when the person is declared brain dead, meaning their brain has stopped working completely and cannot recover, even if machines keep their body alive temporarily. 

Who Should Go For A Kidney Transplant 

A kidney transplant is recommended for a person if their kidneys no longer function properly. This is known as kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Kidney failure is the outcome of long-term health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure, which gradually stops the natural functioning of the kidneys over time. 

A kidney transplant can improve patients’ quality of life by helping them feel stronger, live longer, and overcome the challenges of monthly dialysis. 

What Are The Eligibility Requirements For A Kidney Transplant? 

A person can only be eligible for a transplant if they are healthy enough to endure surgery, can regularly take the required medications to prevent their body from rejecting the new organ, and have not been diagnosed with advanced or severe renal disease. Here are the kidney transplant eligibility basics you must know about. 

• The proposed recipient must be diagnosed with extreme kidney disease or be on dialysis, showing very low kidney function.  

• One must be healthy enough to handle surgery and take the medicines needed after transplanting to prevent rejection. 

• Doctors also check for other health problems, such as infections, cancer, or heart issues that might make the surgery risky.  

• Having a strong support system and the means to cover medical costs is important for recovery.  

• Overall, an eligibility checkup means diagnosing whether the transplant will likely improve the patient’s life with health benefits. 

What Are The Benefits Of A Kidney Transplant? 

A kidney transplant comes with life-changing benefits by restoring strength and allowing them to live life to the fullest. The following are significant benefits of a kidney transplant: 

• One may enjoy a longer, healthier well-being compared to remaining on dialysis treatment.   

• Patients become more energetic and feel better while doing daily activities, their job, and traveling more simply.  

• As the recipient becomes free from dialysis, they don’t need exhausting and time-consuming sessions.  

• Better dietary choices with reduced constraints on food and beverages provide patients with more culinary flexibility.  

• One can return to driving, social life, and enjoy their hobbies, feeling more like themselves once again.  

• Enhanced quality of life, independence, and the overall results of a kidney transplant than those of other kidney failure therapies. 

What Are The Risks Involved In A Kidney Transplant? 

There are significant benefits and risks of a kidney transplant post-surgery. For instance, after surgery, there can be bleeding, infections, or rejection of the new kidney by the immune system. Antiviral drugs may also cause adverse effects like high blood pressure, diabetes, bone weakness, or weight gain. There is also a higher risk of infections and certain cancers.  

However, these risks may vary from person to person based on their medical conditions, lifestyle, and post-surgery care, and can be treated with early diagnosis and the right treatment. 

Kidney Transplant Process Step By Step 

Here is the step-by-step process of a kidney transplant for beginners, explained in simple language, which helps patients improve their quality of life. 

• First, the patient must talk to a doctor about their health condition, where they may get a recommendation for essential diagnostics. 

• Then he/she will be referred to a dialysis center or to a transplant center for tests to check if they are healthy enough for surgery. 

• If no donor kidney is available immediately, they will be placed on a waiting list for a donated kidney, which may take anywhere from one to five years, and even more. 

• While waiting for a suitable match, they will have monthly blood tests to help identify the ideal donor. 

• Once a matching donor is available, he/she can be admitted to the hospital for the transplant surgery. 

• Then, during surgery, the donor’s kidney is placed in the lower belly and connected to the blood vessels and the bladder. 

• After surgery, the recipient’s body needs regular check-ups and medication to prevent their body from rejecting the new kidney implant. 

• Recovery after a kidney transplant usually takes a few weeks, and many patients experience notable changes after the transplant. 

Essential Recommendations For Post-Surgery Care And Lifestyle Changes 

The right care and medications after transplant support a faster and safer recovery. Let’s understand the essential post-surgery and lifestyle changes in this kidney transplant preparation guide to minimize the risk and get back to normal life. 

• After a kidney transplant, the patient must take prescribed medicines to prevent foreign organ rejection. 

• One must have regular doctor visits for check-ups and blood tests to monitor the implanted kidney function. 

• Patients must eat healthily, exercise as advised, avoid alcohol and smoking, and protect skin from UV rays. 

• The new kidney can remain healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, exercising regularly, and maintaining proper hygiene. 

Conclusion – A New Beginning Post-Transplant 

A kidney transplant marks not just a successful milestone, but a true new beginning in life. It restores energy, enhances overall health, and frees the patient from the routine of dialysis, allowing them to reclaim their independence. With time, one can return to work, travel, and enjoy their favorite activities with a renewed sense of freedom and well-being. 

Platforms like TME (Transplant Made Easy) play an important role in this journey by offering effortless findings of nearby dialysis and transplant centers with instant notifications and alerts. By installing the TME app on your device, you can confidently embrace your loved one’s life with speedy application submissions, community help, and more. 

FAQs – Guide For Kidney Transplant For Beginners 

1. What does a kidney transplant mean? 

A kidney transplant is a surgery that places a healthy kidney from a donor into a person whose kidneys no longer work properly. 

2. What is the process of a kidney transplant? 

Kidney transplant surgery is a process of placing a healthy donor kidney into the lower abdomen and connecting it to the blood vessels and the bladder. 

3. Who is a kidney donor? 

A kidney donor is a person who gives one of their healthy kidneys to a needy person. He/she can be a living donor or a deceased kidney donor. 

4. What is a living donor? 

A living donor is a healthy person who donates one of their kidneys to a waitlist patient while they are still alive. 

5. What is a deceased donor? 

A deceased donor is a person who has recently died and donated their functional organs as per their social welfare interest, including kidneys, to help someone in need of a transplant. 

6. Can anyone be eligible to donate a kidney? 

No, not everyone is eligible; donors must be healthy, typically between 18 to 70 years old, and free from serious medical conditions. 

7. Dialysis vs transplant: what’s the difference? 

Dialysis is a treatment that filters waste from the blood when the kidneys fail to function properly, while a transplant replaces the failed kidney with a healthy one for better long-term health and freedom. 

8. Does dialysis need to be continued even after a transplant? 

Most people do not need dialysis after a successful kidney transplant, but a few may require temporary dialysis if the new kidney takes time to function properly or if any severe disease occurs. 

9. How long does a surgical procedure take in a kidney transplant? 

Kidney transplant surgery generally takes about 3 to 4 hours, which includes anesthesia induction, incision, kidney retrieval from a living or deceased donor, implantation in the patient’s abdomen area, and then closure of the surgical process.  

10. How long does a healthy kidney function post-transplant? 

A healthy kidney may function well for 10 to 20 years or more after a transplant, depending on various factors, including lifestyle, medication, and proper care. 

11. What are the signs of kidney rejection? 

The common signs of kidney rejection include the following: 

• Fever 

• Swelling 

• Pain in the belly area 

• Less urine production 

• High blood pressure 

• Sudden weight gain 

• Feeling tired. 

12. How long does it take to get back to normal activities after a kidney transplant? 

Most kidney transplant patients can return to normal activities within 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. However, the actual recovery time may depend on the complexity, foreign organ acceptance by the patient’s body, the right medication, and attentive care. 

13. How can I get support during the kidney transplant? 

Support during a kidney transplant comes from the ‘Transplant Made Easy’ app, the medical team, counselors, family, and social community, who help with care, advice, and emotional well-being. 

14. How does the TME app help me during a kidney transplant? 

The TME app makes it easy to find nearby dialysis centers, prevents you from filling out long forms with your full medical history again and again, submits transplant request applications at the nearest transplant centers with one click, and keeps you updated with request notifications. Simply put, the Transplant Made Easy app streamlines the process by connecting you with doctors for early treatment and better care. 

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.