Kidney transplant

A kidney transplant gives you a healthy kidney from another person. You may need a transplant if your kidneys work poorly because of diabetes, high blood pressure, or another illness.

You need only one kidney to live. The new kidney can do the work that your own kidneys cannot. It will remove waste from your blood. It will keep your body's fluids and chemicals in balance. You are likely to feel better and have more energy.

You have to meet certain rules to be able to get a kidney. For example, your overall health (other than kidney problems) has to be good.

Getting a new kidney can take a long time. If you're getting your kidney from a living donor, you may not have to wait long. But if it's from a person who has died, your name is put on a waiting list.

Kidney transplant surgery is done so that a healthy kidney (donor kidney) can do what your diseased kidney can no longer do. Kidney transplant is used when you have severe chronic kidney disease (renal failure) that cannot be reversed by another treatment method. You will not be able to have this surgery if you have an active infection, another life-threatening disease such as cancer, or severe heart or lung disease.

The doctor will make a cut (incision) in your lower belly. The doctor will place the donated kidney in your lower belly. The doctor will connect the blood vessels of the new kidney to your blood vessels. Then the ureter of the new kidney will be connected to your bladder. (A ureter is the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.) Your own kidneys will not be taken out unless they are causing problems.

The doctor will finish the surgery by closing the cut with stitches or surgical staples. These will be removed about 1 to 3 weeks after surgery. The cut will leave a scar that will fade with time.