what happens after you donate a kidney

by Vincenzo Bergstrom 8 min read

After donation, you should be able to live a pretty normal life. You'll have to take pain pills for a short time after surgery. Your remaining kidney will grow bigger to help make up for the one that’s gone.

Full Answer

What is the recovery time after donating a kidney?

Jan 02, 2022 · Like any surgery, kidney donation carries the risk of surgical complications like blood clots and others, but these risks are low. You will lose a certain percentage of your kidney function after donation. This sounds scary, but after the surgery your remaining kidney will get bigger and you wont notice any difference.

What are the dangers of donating a kidney?

“Donating a kidney is an incredible gift,” Taber says. Knowing that you’re helping another person stay alive can make you feel great, even long after the surgery is done.

What should I expect when donating a kidney?

May 05, 2020 · Kidney donation involves major surgery and there are risks, including bleeding and infection. But the overwhelming majority of kidney donors recover with minimal complications. After your kidney is removed (nephrectomy), you'll usually stay only overnight in the hospital and complete your recovery at home. With time, your remaining kidney will enlarge as it takes on …

What really happens to your blood after you donate?

Jul 22, 2019 · You will have some unexpected bumps in the road after surgery. Throughout the entire process of donating my kidney, the doctors and nurses were excellent, explaining what I should expect to feel post-surgery and reassuring me that recovery would not take all that long.

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What are the side effects of donating a kidney?

What can I expect emotionally after donating a kidney?Less than 1% regretted the decision.3 to 10% reported depression.10% reported "family conflicts"7% reported anxiety disorders.16% concerned about negative financial consequences of donation.3 to 15% concerned about a negative impact on their health.

Do kidney donors get money?

After the organ broker—the guy who sets up your kidney-for-cash transaction—takes his cut, he needs to pay for travel, the surgeon, medical supplies and a few “look-the-other-way” payoffs. Most people get $1,000 to $10,000 for their kidney (probably much less than you were hoping for).Aug 29, 2013

What is the life expectancy after kidney donation?

Donating a kidney does not affect a person's life expectancy. On the contrary, studies show that people who donate a kidney outlive the average population. Twenty years after donating, 85 percent of kidney donors were still alive, while the expected survival rate was 66 percent.

What do you lose when you donate a kidney?

If you are thinking about donating a kidney, you should know that: On average, you will permanently lose 25-35% of your kidney function after donating. Your risk of having kidney failure later in your life is not any higher that it is for someone in the general population of a similar age, sex or race.

What is the best age to donate a kidney?

18 years or olderTo donate a kidney, you must be in good physical and mental health.As a general rule, you should be 18 years or older.

How much is a human body worth?

If you could harvest every organ and chemical in your body, you could make a $45 million. But in reality, Medical Transcription estimates, the average price of a human dead body is more likely to fetch around $550,000 (with a few key body parts driving up the price).Aug 31, 2019

Does losing a kidney shorten your life?

However, most studies suggest that you can live a normal, healthy life with one kidney. In fact, when one kidney is removed, the single normal kidney will increase in capacity to compensate.

Does donating a kidney hurt?

How much will it hurt? Everyone is different, but you could be in a lot of pain after the surgery. But it will get easier each day, and there are different types of pain relievers to make you feel better. Shortly after surgery, as your anesthesia wears off, you'll get pain medication through an IV into a vein.Nov 19, 2020

Does having 1 kidney shorten your lifespan?

There may also be a chance of having high blood pressure later in life. However, the loss in kidney function is usually very mild, and life span is normal. Most people with one kidney live healthy, normal lives with few problems. In other words, one healthy kidney can work as well as two.

Can I drink alcohol with one kidney?

Alcohol affects all of your body's organs. However, the effects of alcohol on one kidney lead to multiple issues. Although drinking one to two drinks a day typically won't be an issue, if you have one kidney, it will. When you drink, you will generally urinate more.Oct 16, 2020

Can I drink if I donate a kidney?

Yes, kidney donors can eventually drink 1-2 alcoholic drinks but should abstain in the weeks following the transplant. Women and those over 65 should stick to 1 alcoholic beverage per day at most, while men should have no more than 2 drinks in a day.Nov 13, 2020

What Happens When Kidneys Stop Working

The kidneys remove waste products from our blood. They also control the levels of salt and fluid in our bodies. Sometimes an illness or a disease, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, can cause the kidneys to fail.

Will I Be Able To Obtain Insurance Coverage After Donation

Your health insurance should not be affected by donation. The Affordable Care Act has made it illegal for health insurance companies to refuse to cover you or charge you more because you have a pre-existing condition.

Work With Your Medical Team

Your surgeon or donor coordinator will schedule a follow-up for you. It usually takes place a few weeks after surgery. âThat appointment is really important, so donât delay or skip it,â says Tim E. Taber, MD, the medical director for kidney transplantation at Indiana University Health.

What Are The Risks Of Being A Living Kidney Donor

Like any surgery, kidney donation carries the risk of surgical complications like blood clots and others, but these risks are low. You will lose a certain percentage of your kidney function after donation. This sounds scary, but after the surgery your remaining kidney will get bigger and you wont notice any difference.

The Financial Consequences Of Donation

Most discussion of the financial impact on living donors focuses on the time before and around the time of donation. But are there longer-term financial consequences of having one kidney? Many LDO visitors have said the answer is yes, and research into the issue confirms it.

Faq: Living Kidney Donor

Most kidneys for transplant are from people who have died and whose families give permission for organ donation. But there aren’t enough of these organs for everyone who needs one. Nationally, more than 70,000 patients are on the kidney transplant waiting list, and more are added each year.

Answers To Common Questions

The team looking after you is not able to contact living donors on your behalf. If you would like a kidney transplant from a living donor, you will need to talk to family and friends and ask if they are interested in giving you a kidney.

How long after kidney transplant can you see a doctor?

Taber, MD, the medical director for kidney transplantation at Indiana University Health. You should also see your doctor at least once a year.

How to get rid of kidneys?

More than two to three drinks a day can damage your kidney and increase your risk of problems like high blood pressure. Stop smoking (or don’t start). It damages all of your organs, including your kidneys. Mind your meds.

Can you donate kidneys after surgery?

Donating a kidney is no small thing. Even so, you don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle after surgery. “You need to be in good health in order to donate. So a lot of the steps you took to get healthy are the same steps that will help you stay that way,” says Susan Hou, MD. One should know: In addition to serving as a transplant nephrologist ...

Can kidneys be healthy?

But nutrient-rich foods will help you keep your weight in check and lower your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. That, in turn, will keep your kidney healthy. Some doctors think kidney donors should avoid eating too much protein, especially from protein powder or supplements.

Is kidney transplant surgery invasive?

Most kidney donation surgeries are what doctors call minimally invasive. They require a few small cuts. That makes recovery faster and less painful than it would be with open surgery and a large cut in your body.

What to expect if you donate a kidney?

Most kidney donors recover in the hospital for 2 to 5 days before they head home. You ‘ll probably still have some discomfort for the next week or two, but you ‘ll get a prescription for pain medication to keep you comfortable. Full recovery takes time. You should expect to lay low for at least a month after you donate.

Will I be OK if I donate a kidney?

Most people do not experience health problems as a result of donation. A large study of the long-term effects of kidney donation had good news for people who donate kidneys. Doctors reported that living kidney donors can expect to live full, healthy lives. Donors had very few long-term health problems, in most cases.

How long can you live with one kidney?

This usually takes 25 years or more to happen. There may also be a chance of having high blood pressure later in life. However, the loss in kidney function is usually very mild, and life span is normal. Most people with one kidney live healthy, normal lives with few problems.

What disqualifies you from being a kidney donor?

You must also have normal kidney function. There are some medical conditions that could prevent you from being a living donor. These include having uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, HIV, hepatitis, or acute infections.

Do you gain weight after donating a kidney?

Overall, among all donors, median weight from initial assessment to kidney donation was 0 (−1.8, 1.1) and median weight increased following kidney donation by 2.0 (−0.6, 4.0) kg.

Does donating a kidney shorten your life?

Living donation does not change life expectancy, and does not appear to increase the risk of kidney failure. In general, most people with a single normal kidney have few or no problems; however, you should always talk to your transplant team about the risks involved in donation.

Who pays if you donate a kidney?

Who pays for living donation? Generally, the recipient’s Medicare or private health insurance will pay for the following for the donor ( if the donation is to a family member or friend).

Do living donors care for transplant patients?

Many members of your living donor team are part of the transplant center, but do not care for transplant patients. Some members work for the hospital and are there to assess and advocate for you.

What is the team that does your testing and interviews called?

The team that does your testing and interviews is called the living donor team . The living donor team will help guide you through your testing and interviews and teach you about the process of donating.

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Prognosis

  • People can live normal lives with only one kidney. As long as the donor is evaluated thoroughly and cleared for donation, he or she can lead a normal life after the surgery. When the kidney is removed, the single normal kidney will increase in size to compensate for the loss of the donat
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Prevention

  • Physical exercise is healthy and good for you. However, it's important for someone with only one kidney to be careful and protect it from injury. Some doctors think it is best to avoid contact sports like football, boxing, hockey, soccer, martial arts, or wrestling. Wearing protective gear such as padded vests under clothing can help protect the kidney from injury during sports. This can h…
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Risks

  • Living donation does not change life expectancy, and does not appear to increase the risk of kidney failure. In general, most people with a single normal kidney have few or no problems; however, you should always talk to your transplant team about the risks involved in donation. Some studies report that living donors may have a greater chance of developing high blood pres…
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Criticism

  • However, concerns about the recipient's outcome (as well as the donor's recovery) can contribute to feelings of anxiety, and may donors report a feeling of \"let down\" afterwards. Feelings of depression among living donors are not uncommon, even when both donor and recipient are doing well.
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Effects

  • While extensive data on these issues is lacking, some studies have reported the following psychological outcomes:
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Results

  • You will also have a scar from the donor operation- the size and location of the scar will depend on the type of operation you have. After donation you should be able to go back to a regular, healthy lifestyle. If you are in good health, there will probably not be any specific dietary restrictions. Talk with your transplant team about your specific dietary needs.
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Contraindications

  • Pregnancy after donation is possible but is usually not recommended for at least six months after the donation surgery. Living donors should talk to their ob/gyn and transplant team before getting pregnant about pregnancy and make sure that they have good pre-natal care.
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