Are you preparing for an organ transplant? (Organ Transplant) Let's be fully informed about this!

When the doctor told you that you needed an organ transplant , you probably took a deep breath. At the same time, you might have thought, 'Now I just have to wait for the call to the surgery.' But that's not the truth. The time before this surgery is the best and most valuable time for you to prepare yourself mentally, physically, and financially. Let's see how exactly to face this?

First, let's make up our minds.

An organ transplant is a big change in a person's life. So we definitely need to think about the psychological impact of this. The medical team treating you can explain what is going to happen to you. But they haven't experienced this experience firsthand. So it's very important to share your thoughts, your fears, your hopes, all of these with them.

Also, it would be great if you could talk to someone who has had a transplant of the same type of organ as the one you are going to have. It would be a great relief to hear how they went about it and what they felt. If you need to find someone like that, you can ask the social worker on your medical team for help.

Waiting for an organ can be a difficult time. But don't waste that time. Use this time to understand what's going to happen and prepare yourself for it. Often, it takes patients several months to get used to the idea.

Let's take a look at your lifestyle?

Often, someone preparing for an organ transplant will have to make some major lifestyle changes. For example, if you smoke , you may need to stop smoking altogether , or if you are overweight, you may need to lose weight .

Some people find these things a little difficult to do. Even though they agree with the technical aspects of the surgery and what the doctors say, they try to avoid it when they are asked to change their eating and drinking habits.

But here you need to think a little. How much is this surgery worth to you? What new opportunities will it bring to your life? If you think about it, it will not be difficult to make these changes. Don't forget that these lifestyle changes directly affect the success of the surgery .

Money problems... How do you deal with this?

Regardless of the organ being transplanted, these are very expensive surgeries. For example, according to 2020 data, a heart transplant in the United States cost about $1.7 million, which is millions of our money. A kidney transplant costs about $442,000, and a lung transplant costs about $1.3 million.

The extent to which your insurance will cover these costs varies from one insurance company to another, so be sure to discuss this with your financial coordinator and social worker on your medical team.

They will tell you what is covered by your insurance and what is not. However, it is best to check with your insurance company directly . Ask your medical team about other ways to pay for the costs that are not covered by insurance. You may be able to get help from government grants (e.g., the President's Kidney Fund) or other charities.

In addition to the cost of the surgery, there may be other costs.

• If you are coming to the hospital from afar, accommodation fees.
• If you worked , you lost your salary.
• If you have small children, there are separate expenses to take care of them.

There are organizations that can help cover these non-medical expenses. Check them out. If you are thinking of raising funds on your own (e.g., asking for help from a temple/temple/church, placing an ad in the newspaper), be sure to consult your medical team and an accountant about the legalities and tax implications of doing so before doing so.

Questions you should definitely ask your doctor

No matter how mentally, physically, and financially prepared you are, you may still have many questions on your mind. Don't be afraid to ask them.

A question many people ask is, "How long in advance will we be notified that an organ has been found?"

It varies depending on the organ being transplanted. For a liver transplant, you may be called two to three hours before you need to come to the hospital. For a kidney transplant, you may be given 24-30 hours notice. But this also depends on factors such as your health condition.

Some more important questions worth asking:

• Can you explain the risks and benefits of this surgery?
• Can you explain how organ transplant waiting lists work ?
• Are there any differences in the quality of the organ I receive? For example, will an organ from someone who has had a disease like ``Hepatitis C'' be transplanted?
• What is the success rate of this surgery based on my age and condition?
• How many surgeries of this type are performed per year at the hospital I have chosen?
• How long is the waiting list for the organ I need at this hospital?
• What is the one-year survival rate after this type of surgery at your hospital? How does it compare to the national level?
• How many surgeons are there who can perform this operation?
• How long will I have to stay in the hospital after the surgery?
• Can I travel ? Or do I always have to stay a certain distance from the hospital?
• What follow-up tests and clinic visits will I need to attend after surgery? For how long?
• What are the chances that I will have to be hospitalized again?

Discuss these issues with your doctor and resolve any concerns you may have. It will give you great mental strength.

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