What is a kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant is a surgical operation to place a healthy kidney from another person into someone whose kidneys are no longer working properly.

If you have severe (‘end-stage’) kidney failure, your body can’t get rid of extra fluid and waste products. This can cause you to become very sick and is life threatening. Once your kidneys have stopped working, your treatment options include dialysis or a kidney transplant.

A transplant may offer you a longer life and a better quality of life than dialysis.

Read more about organ transplants.

Am I a good candidate for a kidney transplant?

Your healthcare team will assess whether you are medically suitable for a kidney transplant. This depends on your general health.

It also depends on whether you are willing to undergo the surgery itself and participate in life-long treatment to look after your new kidney.

To decide whether to have a kidney transplant, it is important to understand your condition and the potential benefits and risks of the procedure.

Who can donate a kidney?

People can choose to donate their kidneys when they die — this is called a deceased donor. This person may have previously registered as an organ donor, or their family may have decided to donate their organs. They can’t choose who will get their kidneys.

People can also donate one kidney while they are still alive — this is called a living donor.

If you donate a kidney, you can usually live safely with your one remaining kidney without complications. You can choose to donate your kidney to a relative or friend. You can also choose to donate your kidney to someone you don’t know.

To read more about organ or tissue donation after death or to register as a donor, visit DonateLife.

The waiting list for a transplant

If you are suitable for a kidney transplant and you don’t have a living donor, your name will be put on a waiting list. This is because there are not enough donor kidneys for the number of people who need a transplant at any one time. While you are waiting for a donor kidney to become available, you need to start dialysis.

The average wait for a donor kidney is between 2 and 3 years.

When a donor kidney becomes available, it is offered to the person who is the best match based on blood tests and other matching factors.

While you are on the waiting list for a donor kidney, you must always be contactable by phone in case a suitable kidney becomes available.

To be ready for a kidney transplant and to help with your recovery, it is a good idea to be as healthy and fit as possible. While you are on the waiting list, you should:

• restrict your food and fluids as instructed by your health team
• keep to your dialysis schedule
• get enough physical activity
• try to lose weight if you are overweight
• avoid or quit smoking

What happens during a kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant usually takes 3 to 4 hours. The surgeon will make a cut in the lower part of your abdomen and place the new kidney in position in your pelvis. The new kidney will be connected to your bladder by its ureter. It will also need to be connected to your blood supply.

Your damaged kidneys are not usually removed unless they are causing a medical problem.

After the surgery, most people need to stay in hospital for about 5 to 7 days to recover. If there are any complications or you develop an infection, you may need to stay longer.

You will have a tube (known as a catheter) inserted into your bladder to drain your urine for a few days. If your new kidney does not work right away, you may need dialysis for a short while until it does.

You will have frequent blood tests and scans to check how your new kidney is working.

Your medical team will check if your kidney works and check for any early signs of rejection by your body.

How will a kidney transplant affect my life?

After you have recovered from the operation, you will still need regular check-ups. These will become less frequent as time goes on. Your healthcare team will talk to you about your treatment plan, how to monitor your health and how to care for yourself.

Preventing rejection

You will need to take medicine for the rest of your life to prevent your body from rejecting your new kidney.

Rejection doesn’t always cause symptoms, but you should know what to look out for. Contact your transplant team if you:

• feel unwell or have a fever
• have pain in the area of your new kidney
• are gaining weight
• are producing less urine than usual

It’s very important to avoid getting infections while you are taking anti-rejection medicines.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle

It’s important to follow your healthcare team’s advice on living a healthy lifestyle. This includes:

• getting enough physical activity
• eating a healthy diet including plenty of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains
• limiting alcohol and foods that are high in salt —these can raise your blood pressure, which can damage your new kidney
• not smoking
• maintaining a healthy weight

How can family and friends help?

Making the decision to have a kidney transplant, waiting for a donor kidney, having the operation itself and getting used to life after the transplant can be stressful. The medicines to prevent rejection can also affect your mood.

Family and friends can help by:

• supporting you emotionally
• reminding you about taking your medicines
• driving you to appointments

Resources and support

For more information and support, visit Transplant Australia or Kidney Health Australia.

Patients living in remote and rural areas may be eligible to access Kidney Transplant Houses – free accommodation for people traveling over 100km for their kidney procedure.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.