If you’re considering a kidney transplant, you and your loved ones probably have a lot of questions. Your situation isn’t like anyone else’s, so it’s best to get specific answers from our transplant centers.
Here are some answers to common kidney transplant questions about eligibility, surgery, recovery and donation.
You may qualify for kidney transplant if you have advanced kidney disease or kidney failure. The transplant team will evaluate you to see if you are eligible for a transplant based on your overall health, kidney health, emotional health, financial readiness and other factors.
There’s no way to predict exactly how long you’ll wait for a donor kidney. The waiting list is always changing. Some people get removed because they receive a transplant or for other reasons and other people get added. In Arizona, the average wait time is three to seven years.
Children can receive kidney transplants, but we do not perform kidney transplants in children at Banner Health. It is important for these children to visit a pediatric center.
There is no upper age limit for kidney transplant in adults. We review each person on a case-by-case basis.
Generally, the surgery takes three to four hours. Your surgeon can give you a better estimate of how long your surgery is expected to take.
Your transplant team will work to keep your risks as low as possible. Like all surgeries, kidney transplants come with some risk, such as bleeding and blood clots. With transplants, you also have an increased risk of infection and rejection.
Your care team will explain the risks in detail and answer your questions.
The new kidney is placed in your lower abdomen to one side of the spine, a bit below one of the failing kidneys. It’s connected to your bladder and blood vessels.
Probably not. Surgeons usually leave the old kidney in place unless it’s causing health problems. Your surgeon can let you know if they expect to remove your old kidney.
Yes. Your remaining kidney will give you about 80% of the function you had with two kidneys. People generally return to work and their everyday activities once they recover from surgery, and don’t need medication long-term.
Kidney donors live as long, on average, as people who don’t donate a kidney.
It can feel overwhelming to ask someone to donate a kidney. Your transplant team will work with you so you’re more comfortable sharing your story and connecting with potential donors. You may also want to partner with an advocate who works on your behalf to help you find a living donor.
A kidney paired exchange is when two pairs of donors and recipients agree to work together, so each recipient gets a kidney from the other recipient’s intended donor. Paired exchange is a way for transplant centers to arrange kidney transplants when donors and recipients don’t match.
Most people stay in the hospital for two to four days after a kidney transplant. The time you spend in the hospital will depend on how well you’re recovering, how your new kidney is working, your overall health and the support you have at home. Your care team can explain more about how quickly you can expect to go home.
You will need to take medications to help prevent your body from rejecting your new kidney for the rest of your life. These kidney transplant medications suppress your immune system, so you’ll need to take other medications to help prevent infections.
Kidney surgery recovery time varies. You will have restrictions on physical activity and driving for the first four to six weeks after surgery. After that, you should be able to return to most activities.
Your care team can explain when you can return to work or school, depending on the demands of your routine. They can also advise you about strenuous activity, heavy lifting and travel.
In most cases, your nephrologist (kidney doctor) or primary care provider will refer you. You may also refer yourself. Visit our Phoenix and Tucson program pages for more information.
Although there are some differences in the qualifications for Phoenix and Tucson, both locations review each person on a case-by-case basis. You can reach out to each transplant program to learn more about their criteria.
Learn more about both programs and how to reach out to them:
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