What is a kidney transplant?

The kidneys are essential organs in our bodies that carry out several tasks including eliminating waste from the body, controlling blood pressure, maintaining acid-base balance, controlling fluid balance, producing different hormones, and more. A kidney transplant is necessary when the kidneys can no longer carry out these tasks. A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure wherein a healthy donor kidney is removed and implanted into an individual whose kidneys are failing. Live donor kidney transplants and kidney transplants from deceased donors are the two types of transplant options available. As the name implies, a deceased donor's kidneys are used in kidney transplants, and their kidneys usually survive for eight to twelve years. A kidney from a living donor comes from a living person who chooses to donate one of their two healthy kidneys to a person in need. The typical lifespan of kidneys from a living donor is 15 to 20 years.

How does it work?

Before Kidney Transplant:

It's important to check whether a donor kidney will be the right fit for you before a kidney transplant. The following tests can help with this assessment:

• Blood type: It is best to receive a kidney from a donor whose blood type matches yours or is compatible with it. Incompatible blood types can occasionally be treated with additional medical procedures both before and after transplantation to lower the chance of organ rejection. These transplants are referred to as ABO- incompatible kidneys.
• Tissue typing: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing is the test that is followed once the blood type is confirmed compatible. This test contrasts genetic markers that improve the prognosis for a long-lasting kidney transplant.
• ICrossmatch: The third and final matching test entails combining a small sample of your blood with the donor's blood in a laboratory setting to determine whether your blood's antibodies will react with particular antigens in the donor's blood.

During the Kidney Transplant:

General anesthesia is used for doing kidney transplants. The newly placed kidney is inserted into the body by the surgeon through a lower abdominal incision. The blood vessels in the lower abdomen, directly above one of your legs, are where the blood vessels of your new kidneys are connected. The tube that connects the kidney to the bladder, known as the ureter, is attached to the new kidney.

After the Kidney Transplant:

Following a kidney transplant, one should anticipate:

• A few days to roughly a week in the hospital
• Regular examinations while recuperating
• Taking prescription drugs for life

Your new kidney will filter your blood after a successful kidney transplant, so you won't require dialysis.

What happens to your body after a kidney transplant?

Following a successful kidney transplant, the recipient's body experiences several changes as it adapts to the new kidney. Moreover, specific drugs are required to avoid renal rejection. The following are some of the changes that occur in the body following a kidney transplant:

• Recovery and Healing: The patient may first feel pain, soreness, weakness, and exhaustion in the side and abdomen areas following the procedure. Usually, a few days to a week are spent in the hospital throughout the healing process. The procedure is facilitated by the close monitoring and all-encompassing approach to patient care provided by Dr. Vijay Patel, the best Kidney Specialist in Mumbai, whose primary goal is to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from renal diseases.
• Better kidney function: The new kidney might begin to function immediately, giving the person more energy and enabling them to resume their regular work schedule.
• Immunosuppressive Drugs: As a result of the kidney transplant, there is a possibility that your body will reject the new kidney, thus you must take immunosuppressive drugs daily. They function by impairing immunological function, which stops the kidney from being attacked.
• Long-term care: Recipients must maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and weight control to guarantee the transplant's effectiveness. Frequent monitoring and follow-up consultations are necessary to identify any early indications of rejection or problems.

How much is the cost of a kidney transplant?

A clear cost breakdown is given to patients by Dr. Vijay Patel and his staff, who strongly emphasize delivering value via superior, individualized care so that they don’t have to worry about unexplained expenses that can occur during the procedure. The cost of a kidney transplant varies significantly based on several factors, including the country, the hospital, the intricacy of the case, and the status of the deceased or living donor. In India, a kidney transplant typically costs between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 15 lakhs. Pre-transplant assessments, surgery, hospital stays, post-transplant care, and prescription drugs are all included under this. Insurance coverage might lessen these expenses.

How safe is a kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant is a difficult medical operation with possible side effects. For those with chronic renal failure, it is widely regarded as the safest and most effective course of treatment. Similar to any other major operation, there are a few risks involved, such as:

• Surgical risks: Include bleeding, infection, and anesthesia-related problems.
• Rejection:The body can reject the new kidney even if immunosuppressive drugs have been taken.
• Cancer and infections:Immunosuppressive drugs raise the risk of cancer, especially a few types of cancer.
• Cardiovascular Problems: Patients may be more susceptible to heart disease and other cardiovascular-related conditions. For many individuals, a kidney transplant can dramatically enhance their quality of life despite the dangers. A kidney transplant is a safe choice that enhances the patient's quality of life. Dr. Vijay Patel's comprehensive knowledge, vast expertise, and specialized medical approach, whose primary goal is to safeguard renal health and make this process easier with comprehensive and individualized medical care, can minimize these dangers.