IN THIS GUIDE
If you've been added to the kidney transplant list, you probably have some questions. Our guide offers the answers you're looking for and helps you prepare for your operation.
A kidney transplant is a surgery which places a healthy donor kidney into someone who has kidney failure. Only one donated kidney is needed to replace the work previously done by your two kidneys. Donor kidneys can come from a
living donor or a deceased donor (a person who has passed away).
The surgery may take 3 to 4 hours. The surgeon places the new kidney through an incision in your lower stomach. The surgeon will attach the blood vessels of the new kidney to suitable blood vessels in your body. The tube that carries urine (called a ureter) is then attached to your bladder. Your new kidney often begins to work right away.
Your own
kidneys are left in place unless they are causing a medical problem.
During the operation, the surgeon will make a 10 to 15 inch incision (cut) in either your left or right lower abdomen.
Once the operation is complete, we will use staples to close up the surgical incision. The staples go along the line of the incision. We take out the staples in 10 to 14 days.
You can expect to stay in the hospital for about 7 days.
Read our guide below to learn more about your kidney transplant surgery, or click on the topic that matters most to you. If you have questions or need more information, talk to your transplant surgeon or your transplant coordinator.
