Kidney Transplant: Surgery Procedure, Risks & Benefits

A kidney transplant is like having the chance to hit the reset button on your kidney health. Therefore, a kidney transplant is offered for those battling end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In other words, it is like swapping out a worn-out engine for a brand-new one. Consequently, giving you a fresh start and a renewed lease on life.

The procedure or surgery involves doctors carefully replacing your failing kidney with a healthy one from a generous donor. However, like any major surgery, there are potential complications, including infections or rejection of the new kidney.

Today, however, medical advances have made these risks much lower.

Kidney transplant offers benefits including improved quality of life, better kidney function, and less time spent on dialysis.  Therefore, if you’re considering a kidney transplant, you should know the procedure, risks and benefits. Additionally, this blog post is a great starting point.

Let us take a sneak peek into what you can expect to learn:

What is a Kidney Transplant?

Kidney transplant is a surgical intervention procedure for individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The procedure replaces a diseased kidney with a healthy one from a donor. In some cases, people survive through dialysis which takes time and is labor-intensive. However, kidney surgery can free you from long-term dependence on a dialysis machine and the strict schedule that goes with it. Consequently, you can live a more active life. Additionally, people having active infections may not be suitable candidates for kidney transplants.

People can survive with a single healthy kidney after a successful transplant. Also, following the transplant, the doctor prescribes immune-suppressing medications to keep your immune system from attacking the new organ.

What Happens During A Kidney Surgery Procedure?

Kidney transplantation involves placing a healthy kidney into your body. Consequently, it will perform all of the functions that a failing kidney cannot.

The doctor or kidney surgeon places a healthy kidney into the lower right or left side of your abdomen. During the procedure, it’s surgically connected to nearby blood vessels. Also, placing the transplanted kidney in this position allows it to be easily connected to blood vessels and your bladder. 

Additionally, the doctor then attaches the vein and artery of your new kidney to your vein and artery. Also, the transplanted kidney’s ureter is attached to your bladder to allow urine to pass out of your body. Normally, a kidney transplant surgery takes two to four hours to complete.

What are the Benefits of a Kidney Transplant?

The benefits of a successful kidney transplant include increased strength, stamina and energy. Consequently, after kidney transplantation, as long as there are no complications, it should function naturally and do all the things a healthy kidney does.

Also, you can enjoy a normal diet. Additionally, you also can enjoy freedom from dialysis procedures.  A kidney transplant also does away from anaemia problems and also reduces your intake of hypertension (high blood pressure) medications after transplantation. 

Here Are Six Potential Benefits of a Kidney Transplant

Stopping Dialysis: A kidney transplant frees you from dialysis and you may be able to stop this form of treatment once your kidney function returns.

More Energy: You start feeling energetic and become more active in daily life. 

Better Overall Health: After a successful kidney transplant you notice improvements in blood pressure, fluid retention, and other complications of kidney failure. 

Fewer Dietary Restrictions: After recovery, you can enjoy food and drinks of your choice.

Better Quality of Life: A healthy kidney enables you to do more and feel better overall.  

What are the Risks of Kidney Transplant?

Like any other surgery, a kidney transplant surgery also has some risks. Therefore, there is the risk of bleeding, infection or breathing problems. Additionally, you may experience some side effects from the medications. Moreover, due to the medications, you could be more prone to infections. This happens because medication for the transplantation lowers your body’s ability to fight infection. 

Potential risks after kidney transplant surgery include:

Organ rejection: Your body may not accept the donor organ and you may need medication to help your body accept the new kidney. Also, your body thinks that the new organ is an alien object and tries to get rid of it. Therefore, doctors put you on medication to prevent rejection.

Temporary lack of kidney function: Unfortunately your new organ may not start working immediately. Therefore, you may need dialysis until it resumes normal kidney function.

Kidney failure: Your new kidney may not last for long. Consequently, you may have kidney failure after several years and need to have a second transplant. Further, you may need to go back on dialysis.

Cancer: Since you are given Immunosuppressant medication after transplant, it may leave you more vulnerable to disease.

Diabetes: The medicines taken after a transplant can cause diabetes.

Heart attack or stroke: You may be at higher risk of heart attack, especially if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.

Also, there are some potential side effects including 

• Renal artery stenosis or narrowing of the artery leading to the kidney
• Blood clots
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Weight gain
• High blood pressure

Conclusion

A kidney transplant can be a life-changing procedure for those with ESRD, offering a new lease on life and improved health outcomes. 

Several benefits come with kidney transplant surgery, many with the potential to transform lives. However, transplant candidates should also be aware that any major medical decision and/or procedure carries some level of risk.

Therefore, if you’re considering a transplant, it’s important to understand all of the possible benefits, risks, and side effects of this life-changing surgery. If you have more questions about the kidney transplant process, our kidney specialist doctors may have the answers you need. 

Moreover, if you or a loved one are considering a kidney transplant, it’s essential to have a thorough discussion with your kidney surgeon to understand the procedure, risks, and benefits.

For expert advice and care, consider consulting the specialists at Dispur Polyclinic and Hospitals. Our team is ever ready to provide personalised guidance and support throughout your transplant journey.

Take the first step towards a healthier future—schedule a consultation today!