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Transplantation
The
information here is given as a guide only and patients are advised to seek
further information from their own doctor.
A kidney
transplant is not suitable for all patients since you need to be fit enough.
Only half of dialysis patients are considered suitable. You will need some
tests done to enable your consultant to make a decision as to whether to put
you forward for a transplant.
The most common reasons for being unfit
are :-
- Heart disease
- Risk of serious infection
- Previous cancer
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Providing you are found to be suitable, the decision whether to
have a kidney transplant is not always an easy one to make. Each patient needs
to decide for themselves whether they really want to be placed on the waiting
list.
Derriford Hospital, Plymouth carries out kidney tranplants for
patients in Cornwall and their Renal Unit provides expert, friendly counselling
together with detailed information and advice. When you attend for the first
time you will be given a Pre Waiting List, Patient Education Programme (PEP)
Filofax. A bit of a mouthful but your PEP contains very useful information
about :- having a kidney transplant, the tests you need to have prior to being
put on the waiting list, the operation, the medicines you will need to take for
life to stop your body attacking the new kidney and information about
rejection.
A transplant kidney can come from a relative, partner or
friend or from a donor. You will be given full information about
this.
The transplant operation takes around 2 hours. Usually you will be
able to sit out of bed the day after a transplant and walk two or three days
after that. Most people go home about 10 days after their operation and you
will probably need 3 months off work after receiving your
transplant.
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