Chronic Kidney Disease - Surgery

Surgery

If you have chronic kidney disease that progresses, you may have the option of a kidney transplant. Most experts agree that it is the best option for people with kidney failure. In general, people who have kidney transplants live longer than people treated with dialysis.

If you have kidney failure, your doctor may recommend a kidney transplant if you are a good candidate for surgery. You will probably be considered a good candidate if you do not have significant heart or lung disease or other diseases, such as cancer, which might decrease your life span.

After a kidney transplant, you will have to take medicines called immunosuppressants. Immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporine or tacrolimus, help prevent your body from rejecting your new kidney.

• It is very important to take your medicines exactly as prescribed. This will help keep your body from rejecting your new kidney.
• You will need to take these medicines for the rest of your life.
• Because these medicines weaken the function of your immune system, you will have an increased risk of developing serious infections.

Even if you take your medicines, there is a chance that your body will reject your new kidney. If this happens, you will have to resume dialysis or have another kidney transplant.

The success of the transplant also depends on what kind of donor kidney you are receiving. The closer the donor kidney matches your genetic makeup, the better the chances that your body will not reject it.

What to think about

A kidney transplant does not guarantee that you will live longer than you would have without a new kidney.

Kidney transplant surgery is expensive but has been covered by Medicare since the 1970s. Check with your insurance or Medicare about your coverage.

You may have to wait for a kidney to be donated. If so, you will need to have dialysis while you wait.