Question 1

About the treatment

Dr. Savin Yadav · Accepted Answer

A kidney transplant is a procedure of taking out a healthy kidney from a donor and placing it in the body of the patient whose kidneys are failed. It is a more suitable option than dialysis as it has better outcomes.

Question 2

What is involved in the procedure

Dr. Savin Yadav · Accepted Answer

In kidney transplant surgery donor's kidney is placed in the lower part of the abdomen and then its blood vessels and urine tube is attached to the bladder. Usually, the procedure takes 2-3 hours to finish and is done under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a diagonal incision on either side of the body depending on the case. In general, the recipient's own kidney is left untouched in the body unless it is infected. a

Question 3

Who is the right doctor for this procedure

Dr. Savin Yadav · Accepted Answer

For the complete surgery, we need a team of experienced Nephrologists, Urologist, and general anesthesiologists.

Question 4

What is the usual success rate for this procedure

Dr. Savin Yadav · Accepted Answer

there are many factors who plays important role in the success of a kidney transplant such as age, co-existence of another disease like diabetes, hypertension, etc.

Question 5

Any other special notes related to the procedure

Dr. Savin Yadav · Accepted Answer

Robotic kidney transplant or RAKT (robot-assisted kidney transplant ) is a minimally invasive and the most advance form of surgery.

Question 6

Do i need kidney transplant?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

If your serum creatinine is significantly high (> 5mg%) or if you are already on dialysis then you are a likely candidate for kidney transplant.

Question 7

When is the best time for Kidney transplant?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

Before you are put on dialysis (pre emptive Kidney transplant).

Question 8

How do i proceed?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

First step is to search for a blood group matching donor with family (up to second degree relative within family)

Question 9

What if i have donor but he/she does not have matching blood group?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

ABO incompatible kidney transplant can be offered. But the initial risk of rejection is high. Thereby, additional treatment strategy needed and this also add to the cost of blood matching transplant.

Question 10

What type of tests needed to match donor and patient?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

First, Blood group for patient and donor and secondly, cross match between patient and donor.

Question 11

How many days will I have to stay in the hospital for my surgery?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

Recipeint is admitted for 10 days while donor for about 4 days.

Question 12

As a foreigner am i eligible to get cadaveric kidney donor in India?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, cadaveric kidney donor is NOT offered to foreigners in India

Question 13

What are the latest technique followed for kidney transplantation?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

Robotic Kidney transplant is now offered at some of the center of excellence for kidney tranplant program.

Question 14

Any particular age group for people to get a kidney transplant ?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

Kidney failure patients of any age group including children can get a transplant done , the only criteria being they should be medically and psychologically fit for surgery .

Question 15

Will I be required to take medicines life long post transplant?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

Immunosuppressant medicines will be given and this will cost about 100 USD per month.The medicines wil be supervised by your local nephrologist.

Question 16

Can i become pregnant after kidney transplant?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

YES,after one year of transplant a female can plan for pregnancy.

Question 17

What is kidney transplant?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

Kidney transplant is a surgical procedure which is being used for replacing a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into the kidney of a person whose kidney is not functioning properly.

Question 18

Why Kidney transplant is done?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

Kidney transplant is the treatment of choice for the patients having kidney failure, this can treatment of choice for people having chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease. Kidney transplant can give you a better quality of life, lower death risk, few restrictions on diet

Question 19

When you cannot go for kidney transplant?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

You cannot go for kidney transplant if you are in higher age, severe heart disease, history of alcohol or drug and dementia.

Question 20

Is kidney transplant better than dialysis?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

Kidney transplant have its own advantage and disadvantage, some studies have shown that patients who have undergone kidney transplant are able to live longer life than patients for dialysis. Many patient who have undergone kidney transplant have improved their quality of life as compared to those being on dialysis.

Question 21

Is kidney transplant painful?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

You may experience some pain or soreness at the site of incision during healing, while you are in hospital the doctor will monitor you to prevent complications.

Question 22

What are the disadvantages of a kidney transplant?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

The risk of kidney transplant includes infection, bleeding , and even damage to the surrounding organs.

Question 23

Do I need to follow diet restrictions after transplant?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

A balanced diet includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, reduced-fat dairy products, whole grains, and plenty of water. Additionally, you may need to avoid eating certain types of foods.

Question 24

When can I resume  work after kidney transplant ?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

Most kidney transplant recipients can return to work and other normal activities within eight weeks after transplant.

Question 25

What is the average life expectancy after kidney transplant surgery?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

The patients who receive kidney transplant usually live longer than who are on dialysis. A living donor functions for 12 to 20 years, while a cadaveric donor kidney works for 8 to 12 years.

Question 26

DO i need to take medications life long post surgery?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

After an organ transplant, you will need to take immunosuppressant (anti-rejection) drugs. These drugs help prevent your immune system from attacking ("rejecting") the donor organ. Typically they must be taken for the lifetime of your transplanted organ.

Question 27

what are the major risks and expected changes in quality of life for kidney donor?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

Some possible long-term risks of donating a kidney may include high blood pressure (hypertension), large amount of protein in the urine, hernia, organ impairment or failure that leads to the need for dialysis or transplantation.

Question 28

What are the legal requirements before kidney transplantation in India?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

Attested birth certificate of the patient and the donor, Attested family records of the patient and the donor, Passport copies of the patient and the donor and in case of a married donor, an attested consent of the donor's husband/wife. There could be other documents specific to your case, and you must talk about it in detail with your case manager.

Question 29

How long can you live on dialysis without a kidney transplant?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

People who stop dialysis may live anywhere from few months to 5 years, depending on the amount of kidney function they have left and their overall medical condition.

Question 30

When will i be able to resume sexual activity post transplant?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

As patient regains energy they can resume the sexual activity.

Question 31

How long can a person live with a kidney transplant?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

Kidney transplant increases the life expectancy of a patient till 40 years.

Question 32

How long are you in hospital after kidney transplant?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

The recovery of kidney transplant takes 4-5 days if no complications is seen. The duration of stay depends on your need and medical condition.

Question 33

Is dialysis needed after kidney transplant?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

When kidney transplant is done your kidney will filter blood and there is no longer need for any dialysis. You will need some medications to suppress your immune system so that your body cannot reject the donor kidney.

Question 34

What precautions you have to take after kidney transplant?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

You should prevent yourself from infections, take vaccination, improve your dietary habits, avoid your drinking and smoking habits.

Question 35

How long will the surgery last?

Ankika Arora · Accepted Answer

The surgery takes 3 to 5 hours.

Question 36

How long does it take for kidney transplant?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

Kidney transplant surgery usually takes around three to four hours to complete under general anaesthesia.

Question 37

What tests are done before a kidney transplant?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

Before kidney transplant tests are done to check if the donor kidney matches with your body. For check whether kidney transplant is a good option the new kidney will be very similar to the other organs and tissues of your body.

Question 38

How kidney transplant is being done?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

In the process of kidney transplant the surgeon will make an incision in the lower part of your abdomen and then places new kidney in your body. kidneys are left in place till they are causing complications such as high blood pressure, kidney stones, pain or infection. The blood vessels of the kidneys are being attached to the blood vessels in the lower part of your abdomen. The new kidney which links kidney to bladder is connected.

Question 39

What is the cost of tests for kidney transplants?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

There are three main blood tests that are essential before a kidney transplant: blood typing, tissue typing, and cross-matching. These are used to determine if the patient and the donor are a kidney match. The package covers the costs of these tests.

Question 40

Are the pharmacy and medicines cost included in the package?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

Any medicines you consume that are recommended by the doctor and available at the hospital are covered in the package during your hospital stay. But if you buy any medicines outside the hospital, you have to pay for them separately.

Question 41

How long is the hospital stay after a kidney transplant?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

If you receive a kidney from a living donor, the stay is 4-6 days, and if you receive a kidney from a deceased donor, the stay is 6-10 days. Children stay in the hospital for 10-14 days. Usually, the time span in the hospital depends on how well the kidney is working. Initially, you have to visit your doctor 2-3 times each week for follow-ups to ensure that your body is healing. The sutures or staples are removed a few weeks after the surgery.

Question 42

Is there any post-treatment expense after the procedure?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

After the procedure, you will experience soreness and pain around the incision site. You can return back to your normal activities eight weeks after the transplant. You have to take antirejection medicines to maintain the transplanted organ for the first year after the transplant. You must have regular blood tests to check if your body is trying to reject the transplanted kidney.

Question 43

Does insurance cover the procedure?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

Luckily, health insurance policies cover the cost of surgery as well as tests and procedures involved with getting the organ transplanted. Your post-transplant expenses will only be covered for a limited number of years.

Question 44

Is there any alternative to this procedure?

Abhishek · Accepted Answer

The alternative to transplant in end-stage kidney disease is dialysis. There are two types of dialysis: Hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis. Before going for any dialysis, talk to your medical expert.