


Remember, being active in your own care is one of the best ways to stay healthy. You can also consider doing an evaluation at another center if one center says no. If you’re told you might not be right for a transplant, don’t be afraid to ask why. One thing you can do to speed the process is to get all the testing done as quickly as possible and stay in close contact with the transplant team.

Everything that can affect how well you can handle a transplant will be checked. Medical professionals will give you a complete physical exam, review your health records, and order a series of tests and X-rays to learn about your overall health. Your healthcare team will need to know a lot about you to help them-and you-decide if a transplant is right for you. The evaluation process for a transplant is very thorough.

Any kidney patient can ask for an evaluation, with or without a referral from their doctor. Depending on your age, many people will need more than one kidney transplant during a lifetime.Īsk your healthcare provider to refer you to a transplant center for an evaluation, or contact a transplant center in your area. You will have a higher risk for infections and certain types of cancer.Īlthough most transplants are successful and last for many years, how long they last can vary from one person to the next. After the transplant, you will need to take anti-rejection medicines for as long as your new kidney is working, which can have side effects. There are also risks, including the risks of surgery. Having a kidney transplant does not “cure” kidney disease. Studies show that people with kidney transplants live longer than those who remain on dialysis. Your health and energy should also improve. For many patients, there are fewer limits on what you can eat and drink, though you should follow a heart-healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight to help your new kidney last. The healthy kidney can come from someone has died and chosen to donate, called a deceased donor, or from someone who has two healthy kidneys and chooses to donate one, called a living donor.Ī successful kidney transplant may allow you to live longer and to live the kind of life you were living before you got kidney disease. When you get a kidney transplant, a healthy kidney is placed inside your body to do the work your own kidneys can no longer do.
