Get to know the intricacies of kidney transplantation

Kidney transplant or kidney transplant is a medical step that is used to treat kidney disease that is not functioning properly or commonly known as kidney failure. With this method, the doctor will perform an operation to replace a kidney damaged by a healthy kidney from a donor.

The kidneys are the body's vital organs which filters out the remaining substances from the blood and then secretes them into the urine. However, a damaged kidney cannot do this process. As a result, garbage can accumulate in the body. If nothing is done, this condition has the potential to be life threatening.

Get to know the intricacies of kidney transplantation
In fact, residual substances can be removed by dialysis, but this method can be very impractical and time-consuming. Because of this, kidney transplantation is often considered the best treatment for kidney failure.

Understanding kidney transplants


So, how do you have a kidney? One method is to donate a living donor. Donors can come from family, friends or anyone who wants to give his kidney and is ready to live with one kidney in his body.

Kidneys can also be obtained from people who have recently died and who have left their organs for medical purposes. Most kidney donors come from them.

After receiving a kidney from a donor, you must go through a series of tests to make sure the kidneys match your blood type and body tissue. This is to avoid the possibility of kidney rejection by the body.

It is recommended to keep the body healthy while waiting for the availability of suitable kidneys by carrying out the following activities:

  • Take medicine and food recommended by doctors.
  • Stop smoking if you smoke.
  • Limit alcoholic drinks.
  • Exercise according to doctor's instructions.
  • Consult with the medical team regularly.

Living a healthy life can help the healing process after surgery.

In fact, a kidney transplant cannot be done if you have a life-threatening disease such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease or if you have an infection.

How is the kidney transplant process?


After getting the right kidney, you can immediately transplant. Usually, this operation takes about three to four hours. During this time, you will not find your awareness because you will be fully anesthetized.

The medical team will start the operation by making an incision, and then place a new kidney in the lower part of your stomach. If your old kidney causes complications such as kidney stones, high blood pressure, kidney cancer or infection, the medical team will remove the kidney from your body.

Then, the medical team will connect the new kidney blood vessels to the blood vessels in the lower abdomen and connect the ureter (the channel that connects the kidneys to the bladder) from the new kidney to the bladder.

Usually, the new kidney can immediately carry out its function once blood enters the organ. But in some cases, the kidneys take longer to produce urine. While waiting for the new kidney to function optimally, you can do dialysis and take medicine to help the kidneys get rid of excess salt and body fluids.
Is this method risky?

Every surgical procedure has a risk of complications. Similarly, kidney transplants. The following risks the short-term and long-term complications that may occur to you:

Risk of short-term complications


  • Infection.
  • Narrowing of the arteries.
  • Blood clots.
  • Blockage of the ureter or channel that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
  • Urine leakage.
  • Rejection of the body against new kidneys.
  • Death, heart attack and stroke.

Risk of long-term complications
  • After a kidney transplant, you must take immunosuppressive drugs that prevent the body from rejecting a new kidney. Consumption is not done in a matter of days, weeks or months, but for life. Side effects of immunosuppressive drugs such as acne, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight gain, swelling of the gums, osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, significant hair loss or excessive hair growth, weakening of the immune system and increased risk of cancer (including cancer) skin).

If, after a kidney transplant, you experience headaches, diarrhea, or fever, contact your doctor immediately.

Live your life with kidneys

In the first few weeks after surgery, you need to monitor your health in the hospital regularly, maybe two to three times a week. After that, the number of visits will start to decrease to two or three months, with a rating if you don't have serious health problems after a transplant.

The risk of contracting cancer, especially skin cancer, increases after transplantation. Therefore, it is highly recommended to regularly check the condition of your skin and other parts of your body to check for the seeds of skin cancer and other types of cancer.

In addition to the above, you must live a healthy life because there is only one kidney that functions properly in your body. Here's what you need to do after a kidney transplant:

Change Your Diet Most people can still eat a variety of foods after a kidney transplant. But you may be advised to avoid certain types of food in the first few weeks using high-dose immunosuppressive drugs.

Foods that can cause infection must be avoided. Foods that contain raw eggs such as mayonnaise, undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy products are examples.

After the immunosuppressant dose is determined and the new kidney is functioning properly, you will be advised to follow a healthy diet.

Plans that should be included in your plan include:

  • Lots of fruit and vegetables.
  • Small dairy products.
  • Many foods are made from wheat.
  • A little meat, eggs, beans and other protein foods.

Avoid eating too much salt and high-sugar foods to avoid the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.

No smoking is prohibited in people who have two healthy kidneys, especially you who only have one kidney. It is highly recommended that you stop smoking this tobacco roll because smoking can reduce the resistance of your new kidney. In addition, smoking can also increase the risk of cancer.

Exercise regularly. After your physical condition is declared healed, you are advised to exercise regularly. At least you take the time to do aerobics 2.5 hours a week. Sports that you can practice are brisk walking, swimming, biking, and tennis.

The kidney transplant procedure in a hospital is an attempt to extend the life of a patient with kidney failure. Most new kidneys last between 1 and 5 years, but some can last up to 15 years. Kidney resistance depends on the suitability of the kidneys for the body, kidney source, your age, and your health.

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