Kidney transplant is a surgical procedure to replace a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into a person whose kidneys no longer function properly. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located at each side of the spine just below the ribcage.
When a person’s body loses the filtering ability of the kidneys, harmful level of fluid and waste start to buildup in the body. It can increase blood pressure and increase the chances of kidney failure. Max Healthcare has the best hospital for kidney transplant in India.
A kidney transplant is a major surgery which comes with a few cons of its own, which can be.
● An allergic reaction to general anaesthesia
● Bleeding
● Blood clots
● Leakage from the ureter
● A blockage of the ureter
● An infection
● Rejection of the donated kidney
● Failure of the donated kidney
● A heart attack
● A stroke
The most serious risk of a transplant is that the body will reject the kidney. However, it is a rare occurrence. It is estimated that 90% of the people who got a kidney from a living donor lived for at least another 5 years. 82% of the people who got their donor kidney from a deceased person also lived another 5 years.
The immunosuppressant drugs are given after the surgery to make the acceptance of the donor’s kidney. Some of the side effects may include:
●Weight gain
● Bone thinning
● Increased hair growth
● Acne
● A higher risk of developing certain skin cancers and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
If you notice any unusual soreness at the incision site or a change in your urine, let your transplant doctor know right away. If your body rejects the new kidney, you can resume your dialysis and go back on the waiting list for another kidney after being tested again.
Aftercare
Even if you feel great after your transplant like many people do, you likely must stay in the hospital for up to a week post-surgery. Your new kidney may clear waste from your body immediately, or it may take up to a few weeks before it functions with all its might. Kidneys donated by kin usually start working more quickly than those from unrelated or deceased donors.
You can expect a good amount of pain and soreness near the incision that the surgeons made. Whilst you stay in the hospital, your doctor will monitor you closely for any complications. You are more than likely to be put on a strict schedule for immunosuppressant drugs to stop your body from rejecting the newly added kidney.
Before you leave the hospital your doctor will give you very specific instructions that need to be followed with utmost care. This will include medications and practices. Make sure you have a good grasp of them. Once you are discharged, you must keep regular appointments so that your progress with the donor’s kidney can be evaluated.