Kidney Transplant Surgery: Let's know exactly about this

When your kidneys stop working properly, waste products and fluids start to accumulate in your body. One of the main treatments for this is dialysis . However, another option you can consider is a kidney transplant. After this surgery, you will have more freedom to do your daily activities, feel better, and have a better chance of survival. However, this is a complicated surgery. So before you make a decision, let's talk about everything in simple terms.

How do you get a kidney from a donor?

If your doctor decides that you are a good candidate for a kidney transplant, he or she will refer you to a specialized hospital, called a transplant center. There, tests, X-rays, and scans are done to see if your body can handle such a major operation. There are two main ways to get a healthy kidney. 1. Living Donor: This is when someone, such as a family member or close friend, voluntarily donates one of their kidneys to you. Sometimes, even someone you don't know can volunteer to donate a kidney. 2. Deceased Organ Donor: This is when a kidney is donated by someone who has died. Regardless of how the kidney is obtained, the most important thing is to make sure that your blood type and tissue type are compatible with the donor's. Simply put, our body has a defense system, which we call the immune system . This system attacks the foreign body when it sees it. So, when the tissue types are well matched, your body's immune system is less likely to see the new kidney as "foreign" and attack it (reject it). If you have a living donor, you can talk to your doctor and schedule an operation in advance. But if you have a kidney from a deceased donor, you will have to wait a while. You will be put on a waiting list. Then, as soon as a suitable kidney is found, the hospital will call you and tell you to come to the hospital immediately .

What exactly happens during the surgery?

A kidney transplant surgery usually takes about 3 hours, but sometimes it can take up to 5 hours. Then, the surgeon makes a small incision in your lower abdomen, just above your groin. In most cases, your old, dysfunctional kidneys are not removed. They may be removed only if they are infected or if they continue to cause you pain. The new, healthy kidney is placed inside your abdomen, and its blood vessels are connected to your blood vessels. Then, the tube that carries urine from the new kidney to your bladder, the ureter, is connected to your bladder. Finally, the incision is closed with stitches, special glue, or staples. A small tube (drain) may be placed in your abdomen to drain any excess fluid that may accumulate after surgery. Also, to help urine flow more easily, a small tube called a `stent` is placed inside the urethra. This is removed by the doctor in a very simple procedure after 6 to 12 weeks.

How is the recovery time?

You will start to feel better sooner than you think. You will be able to get out of bed and walk around slowly soon after surgery. You will usually stay in the hospital for 5 days or less. Keep these things in mind when you get home:

• You will feel much better in about two weeks.
• However, do not do things like drive or lift weights over 5 kilos for about a month.
• Your doctor will probably advise you to stay off work for about 6 to 8 weeks .
• The most important thing: To stop your body from rejecting the new kidney, you will be given a special medicine to take every day. You must take this medicine without missing a day for the rest of your life .
• In the beginning, you will have to visit the doctor two or three times a week to make sure everything is going well. Over time, this frequency will decrease.

It is important to stay active during your recovery. You can start with simple things like walking and stretching, and gradually increase the amount of time you exercise. However, contact sports like football and rugby are not recommended for the rest of your life. These can damage your new kidney. It is important to stop smoking and drinking alcohol completely . It is also a good idea to talk to a dietitian about a healthy diet. You can now eat more fruits, vegetables, and fluids than you would on dialysis. However, it is important to choose foods that help control your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

At what time do you need to see a doctor urgently?

After a kidney transplant, there is a risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. There is also a higher risk of infection. However, the most important thing to watch out for is the signs of the body rejecting the new kidney. If that happens, the following symptoms may appear. It is very important to keep these in mind. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor immediately without delay. But don't panic, these are things to be aware of. Most people who have had a kidney transplant live very healthy, happy lives without any problems. Kidney Transplant, Kidney Disease, Kidney Disease, Surgery, Dialysis, Donor Kidney, Kidney Surgery