Kidney Transplant: Benefits, Risks and things you must know

What is a Kidney Transplant?

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure to place a healthy kidney to maintain abilities to filter waste from your blood when your kidney is no longer functioning. The most common reason for needing a kidney transplant is when one loses kidney function which can be seen in patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease or kidney failure. Patients with kidney disease who receive a transplant can  resume their normal daily activities and improve their quality of life.

Kidney transplant and kidney disease

Kidney transplant is a treatment option for individuals regardless of age who suffer from chronic kidney diseases. A kidney transplant, however, does not completely cure renal disease. Although most transplants are successful and can expect many years of function, as with any other major operations, there are still complications and risks that come with the surgery, as well as the possibility of a donated kidney being rejected. Patients with kidney illness who receive a transplant are also at an increased risk of infections and some other health conditions. Some may even require more than one transplant throughout their lives.

However, for patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRD), a kidney transplant remains the best treatment option. Preemptive Kidney Transplant or early transplant is another method of renal replacement therapy which is done before starting dialysis or before your kidneys completely fail, which allows them to avoid dialysis and leads to improved long-term health.

Process of getting a kidney transplanted

If a patient decides to undergo a kidney transplant, the procedure begins with a detailed medical and psychological examination that includes a review of health records, physical exams, and a series of tests to ensure that they are healthy enough for the operation. The health of the patients will affect the risk and probability of a successful transplant.

If you are physically fit enough for the transplant, the next step is to search for a healthy kidney, which can come from one of two places: a deceased person who is a kidney donor and gave a healthy kidney. Another possibility is a living donor, who is a relative, friend, or stranger who is willing to donate their healthy kidney. In the case of a deceased donor, you will be placed on a waiting list until a suitable functional kidney becomes available. In the event of a living donor, both the donor and the receiver must be crossmatched to ensure that the kidney is compatible for transplant.

After obtaining a suitable kidney donor, the procedure is carried out by placing the healthy kidney into the recipient’s lower part of the abdomen, which is the most convenient location for connecting the healthy kidney to the important blood vessels and bladder. Unless there is a medical need to remove them, non-functional kidneys are usually left in your body. The kidney transplant procedure normally takes 4-5 hours and requires you to stay in the hospital for a week.

A kidney from a living donor might begin functioning within days. On the other hand, a kidney from a deceased donor may suffer from “delayed graft function,” in which the kidney begins operating 2-4 weeks after transplant. In this case, dialysis is required until the transplanted kidney is functioning. In addition, kidney transplant recipients must use immunosuppressant medications continuously to protect their immune system from rejecting the transplanted kidneys.

Life after kidney transplant

For a transplant to be successful, kidney transplant recipients need to follow regular check-ups, especially within the first year of the transplant. To assess the function of the transplanted kidney, the doctor will do blood and urine tests. If the transplanted kidney is underperformed, dialysis is needed to maintain its waste-reduction capacities.

Immunosuppressive, also referred to as anti-rejection drugs are still required to reduce the risk of acute or rapid rejection of the donated kidney, which can occur at any moment after the transplant. Acute rejection would identify by symptoms including fever, decrease in urine output, swelling, weight gain, and pain over your kidney.

Kidney transplant recipients must also adjust their lifestyle habits, such as eating a healthy diet low in fat and sodium, drinking plenty of water, and minimizing the risk of infection because the immune system has been suppressed by the medication  to deal with transplant rejection.  Many recipients can return to their normal routine work about 8 weeks after the transplant. For those planning for pregnancy, kidney transplant recipients should wait for a year after the transplant and should consult with their physician.

Kidney transplant at Phyathai 1 International 

Our Nephrology and Hemodialysis Center at Phyathai 1 International has expertise in kidney transplant operations, with a high success rate among recipients. Our transplant surgery is conducted by highly professional and experienced kidney specialists and medical team with state-of-the-art medical technique and equipment. 

Other services for kidney transplant recipients from the Nephrology and Hemodialysis Center at Phyathai 1 International includes consultation and health check-up, laboratory testing, and hemodialysis during a visit to Thailand. 

The Nephrology and Hemodialysis Center at Phyathai 1 International is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. For inquiries regarding kidney transplant surgery, we strongly recommend consulting with our specialist in advance via phone number (+66)2-201-4600 ext.3201 or e-mail us at [email protected]