Some people lose both their kidneys, after a disease or an accident. When this happens, they need another way to clean their blood.
There are 2 methods to “replace” our kidneys: dialysis and kidney transplant.
We already talked about dialysis, so:
What Is A Kidney Transplant?
A kidney transplant means getting a kidney from a donor and implanting it into another person, someone whose kidneys no longer work.
The donor may be a friend, a family member, or a dead donor.
No matter who the donor is, they must be compatible with you. This is important because if you are not, your body will reject the new kidney, as it won’t recognize it.
Some people may not be able to endure such a surgery, because they are too sick and weak. For them, dialysis is the best option.
So How Does The Process Work?
First, you’ll need dialysis, while you wait for the transplant process.
Your doctors will study your blood type and markers to make sure they can find a good match for you. This is an important step to avoid rejection.
If there is a family member or a friend who wants to donate a kidney, that’s great. In that case, your doctors will be able to plan things carefully. Also, family tends to be compatible, because they share some of your genes.
Some people, however, don’t have anybody that will donate a kidney. In that case their information goes into a digital system—kind of a waiting list. This system is designed to match donors and patients across the country.
When They Find A Good Match
As soon as they find a donor for you, they’ll call you and everything will happen in the next few hours.
You’ll have to go immediately to the hospital and not eat anything else from then one—you have to get ready for surgery.
First, they’ll perform surgery on the donor to remove the kidney. Then they’ll fly the organ to your hospital.
After that, they’ll implant the new kidney in your abdomen. Usually, they don’t remove your own kidneys. Instead, they’ll place the new one in your lower belly, next to your bladder.
They have to attach it to your arteries, veins and bladder. Then, if everything works fine… the new kidney will start working.
Once they finish, you’ll spend some days in the hospital, recovering.
Also, you’ll have to take some drugs called immunosuppressants. They prevent your body from rejecting the new kidney. See, your body doesn’t like anything from outside, much less a living organ. These drugs kind of trick your body into thinking the new kidney was already yours.
Complications
This is a complex surgery so, sometimes, there are complications.
For example, the new kidney may not work like it should, sometimes because it is not getting enough blood.
Also, during surgery, there is a risk for infection and bleeding.
Finally, the drugs you’ll take can cause unusual infections.
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