Kidney Transplant: A Comprehensive Handbook for Patients looking for treatment abroad
Published: Oct 03, 2019
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Published: Oct 03, 2019
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Kidney failure is detrimental to a person's quality of life and leaves that person unable to perform his/her daily functions. After receiving a kidney transplant, a good proportion of patients will return to a more dynamic and free-spirited life than what could be achieved through the use of dialysis. Effectively, dialysis can provide a person with a means to manage the disease but is rarely a permanent fix, as a transplant provides a resolution to the previous state of kidney failure.
Technologies associated with kidney transplants are advancing rapidly, and an increasing number of people are utilising medical tourism to travel to locations that provide the latest technologies, an efficient transplantation team, shorter wait times, and cost savings to receive their transplantation.
This book can be used as a resource to learn what you need to know before deciding whether to travel abroad for a kidney transplant.
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure in which either a healthy kidney taken from a living donor or from a deceased person is transplanted into a person whose kidneys no longer function properly. After the transplant, the new kidney filters waste products and excess fluid from the patient's bloodstream and, depending on the type of kidney transplant the patient received, eliminates or greatly reduces the need for dialysis.
Patients who are successful with their transplant will have the ability to live more active and independent lifestyles than patients who are on dialysis.
A transplant is typically recommended for those suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or severe/chronic kidney failure (CKF) once their renal function has deteriorated beyond a critical level. Common Causes of Kidney Failure Include: ·
Your nephrologist will determine whether or not you qualify for kidney transplant surgery based upon other aspects of your overall health.
Talk to Kidney Transplant Specialists for Personalized Guidance Discuss donor options, eligibility, outcomes, and lifelong post-transplant care.
Many patients prefer to have their treatment performed outside the United States for several reasons.
Patients suffering from kidney failure do not automatically qualify for a transplant. A comprehensive medical evaluation is conducted by transplant specialists prior to transplant surgery.
This evaluation usually includes:
Patients also need to be in good enough health to have major surgery and be able to take immunosuppressant medications for the rest of their lives.
There are two major categories of kidney transplants.
Living donation, where a healthy person gives one of their kidneys to a family member, such as a spouse, parent, sibling, or child, or to an unrelated compatible donor (where legal). Generally, living donation provides:
Lower risk of delayed graft function than deceased donation.
Deceased kidney donation, in which a deceased or brain-dead person is the donor and the donation has been made in accordance with the law. Waiting for a kidney transplant can vary based on:
Planning ahead for a smooth transplant experience is key. Before you travel:
Typically, it takes about 3-5 hours for this surgical procedure to be completed using general anesthesia.
During this procedure, the following steps occur:
Most of the time, recipients' original kidneys are not removed, except in certain medical cases. Many transplanted kidneys will begin functioning normally immediately, or will take a few days to start functioning as they should.
Most individuals will stay in the hospital for approximately 1 to 2 weeks, depending on their recovery. During this time, the doctors will check for the following:
Immediately after surgery, the recipient will receive immunosuppressive drugs to help prevent their immune system from attacking the new kidney. It typically takes recipients 6-12 weeks to fully recover, although this time varies from person to person.
Kidney transplants are major surgeries and do have their risks. Some risks of kidney transplantation are:
Close follow-up with the physician and proper use of prescribed medications can significantly lower many of the risks.
Compare hospitals, transplant costs, donor coordination, and recovery services. Trusted by 100000+ patients and leading medical experts. Kidney Transplant Packages With Complete Medical Travel Support
A successful transplant enables patients to fully return to normal activities like working, travelling, exercising, and generally being healthier.
Consistent monitoring of the transplanted kidney will remain vital to ensure its continued function.
Some considerations when choosing an overseas transplant center: Finding a transplant center with:
You must know your destination's organ donation laws and the legal and ethical practices being adhered to by the hospital that will perform your transplant.
kidney transplantation is a fresh start for those who suffer from end-stage renal failure, allowing them to live healthier lives with more freedom and enjoy a higher quality of life than they did before transplant surgery. Due to various reasons mentioned above, many patients are choosing to have their transplants performed overseas.
When considering a transplant overseas, you'll want to research (or find) an experienced surgeon, hospital, and country; evaluate potential costs (including medication); identify all relevant factors surrounding the procedure itself; and evaluate how much you will need to spend up front versus after the fact. With careful planning and your healthcare professional's guidance and assistance, you can maximise your potential for achieving a successful outcome after transplanting your kidneys overseas.
Dr. Akash Khandelwal is a distinguished Haematologist, Hemato-oncologist, and Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Physician with extensive training from the prestigious AIIMS New Delhi. His expertise encompasses a wide range of specialized techniques in bone marrow transplantation, including autologous and allogeneic transplants such as matched sibling donors, matched unrelated donors (MUD), and haploidentical donor transplants. Dr. Khandelwal has personally supervised and conducted over 100 bone marrow transplants.
Delhi, India
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
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