what happens to your body when you donate a kidney

by Lee Green 7 min read

Kidney donors typically experience a 20 to 30 percent decrease in kidney function (as measured by the glomerular filtration rate) after donation. The remaining kidney compensates for the loss of one kidney, through a process called hyperfiltration.

How long is the recovery after donating a kidney?

Jan 02, 2022 · 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. Donating a kidney doesnt increase your future risk of kidney failure.

What are the dangers of donating a kidney?

This creates blood flow through the kidney, which makes urine. The ureter, or tube coming down from the donor kidney, is sewn into the bladder. Usually, the new kidney will start working right away. Sometimes, it takes several days for the donor kidney to “wake up.”

What are the side effects of donating a kidney?

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 …

What are the pros and cons of donating a kidney?

May 05, 2020 · In general, kidney donation has minimal long-term risks, especially when compared with the health risks in the general population. However, kidney donation may very slightly increase your risk of eventually developing kidney failure yourself, particularly if you're a middle-aged black man. The increased risk is minimal and translates into less than a 1 percent …

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Does it shorten your life to donate a kidney?

No Life Expectancy Changes 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.

Why you shouldn't donate your kidney?

Possible long-term risks to donating a kidney include hyper-tension (high blood pressure), hernia, organ impairment and the need for organ transplant, kidney failure, and death.

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.

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

What are the chances of dying from donating a kidney?

Death (Worldwide mortality rate for living kidney donors is 0.03% to 0.06%)

Can kidney grow back after removal?

When the kidney is removed, the single normal kidney will increase in size to compensate for the loss of the donated kidney. 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.

Will I gain weight after donating a kidney?

Overall, among all donors, weight increased significantly following kidney donation from 79.5 ± 2.5 kg to 81.8 ± 2.7 kg at last follow-up (mean difference 2.3 ± 0.9 kg, P < . 0001) (Table 2).May 7, 2019

How painful is kidney donation surgery?

After leaving the hospital, most people will feel tenderness, itching, and some pain as the incision heals. Most kidney donors can return to normal activities after four to six weeks, depending on the physical demands of their daily living and work tasks.

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 does a kidney transplant last?

The Procedure. The average kidney transplantation surgery lasts for about three hours. “Shortly before going into surgery, medicine is given to the patients to help them relax. A general anesthetic is then given.

How many people are waiting for a kidney transplant?

At least 101,000 of those people are waiting for a kidney transplant. That number may not sound unattainable. But, only 17,000 people actually receive kidney transplants per year, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

Where are the donor and recipient?

The donor and recipient are in adjacent operating rooms. The transplant surgeon removes the kidney from the donor and prepares it for transplant into the recipient,” according to Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “There, the surgeon connects the renal artery and vein of the new kidney to the recipient’s artery and vein.

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.

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.

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 you eat protein before donating kidneys?

Some doctors think kidney donors should avoid eating too much protein, especially from protein powder or supplements. That’s because excess protein may make your kidney work harder. Stay hydrated. Water is crucial for keeping your kidney working the way it should. “I was never a big water drinker before donation.

Can you take NSAIDs after kidney surgery?

Eat well. You don’t need to follow a special diet, even right after surgery.

Can sports damage kidneys?

Be cautious about high-risk sports. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll be in an accident -- sports-related or otherwise -- that damages your kidney, Hou says. Even so, talk to your doctor or donor coordinator if you’re into contact sports like hockey, football, or martial arts.

Is it normal to feel blue after a donation?

Even so, it’s normal to feel blue, especially in the weeks after donation. “People in the medical community put you on a pedestal. But after surgery, you’re back home, and it can feel like you’re on your own. That can be tough,” says Lee Adams.

How does donating a kidney affect people?

Donation of a kidney can affect people in different ways and your mental health is as important as your physical health. A psychologist or counsellor will almost always see non-directed kidney donors to talk about their reasons for wanting to donate and the potential psychological impact on them.

Why can't I donate kidneys?

People with high blood pressure may not be suitable donors, because kidneys are sometimes damaged by high blood pressure (hypertension), and removing a kidney may increase the risk of damage to the remaining one.

What is creatinine in urine?

This is a substance that the body produces naturally and that is normally removed from the bloodstream by the kidneys. The level of creatinine in the blood and the amount being excreted in the urine are measured as a way of seeing how well the kidneys are working.

How to check kidney function?

Another way of testing kidney function is to look at your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This usually involves an injection of a chemical into a vein in the arm, followed by a series of blood samples. The test takes several hours.

How old do you have to be to donate kidneys in Scotland?

In Scotland, the law specifies that the donor has to be over 16. There is no upper age limit, and there have been donors in their 70s and 80s. Throughout the process, anonymity and confidentiality are necessary, and most altruistic donors never meet the person who receives their donated kidney.

What is urine test?

Urine tests. Your urine is tested to look for any sign of infection or other abnormalities, such as blood, protein or glucose in the urine. These tests can be done on an ordinary urine sample, which is tested with a simple dipstick and also sent to the laboratory.

How long does it take to remove a kidney?

This means that you will be asleep during the operation, which usually takes about two to three hours. Traditionally, surgeons used a technique called “open nephrectomy” to remove a kidney.

Who Can I Give My Kidney To?

You can donate a kidney to a family member or friend who needs one. You can also give it to someone you don't know. Doctors call this a “nondirected” donation, in which case you might decide to meet the person you donate to, or choose to stay anonymous. Either way, doctors will give your kidney to the person who needs it most and is the best match.

Am I Healthy Enough to Donate a Kidney?

Your doctor will do some tests to find out for sure. They’ll check your blood and urine, and may also do an ultrasound or take X-rays of your kidneys. You may not be able to donate if you have medical issues like diabetes or high blood pressure.

What Happens After Surgery?

Your doctor will prescribe medications to help manage your pain. They’ll also want you to get up and start moving around shortly afterward.

How Can I Donate?

If you want to give your kidney to a friend or family member, talk to the doctor at the transplant center. You'll start taking tests to see if you're a match.

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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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