20 Kidney Transplant Doctors in Bangalore

Frequently asked questions

What is a Kidney Transplant?

Kidney Transplant is a surgical procedure in which the failed kidney is replaced with a healthy kidney. This is performed to treat kidney failure. Kidneys function by filtering waste from the blood and excreting them through urine. Kidneys also maintain the body's fluid and electrolyte balance. Hence, the failure of the kidneys may lead to a waste buildup in the body. Most people with early kidney failure will be treated with dialysis. Dialysis is a procedure in which the blood is filtered mechanically. This requires frequent visits to the dialysis center and the dialysis process is time taking. Kidney transplant will take over the function of two kidneys and dialysis can be avoided. This will help you from the long-term dependence on dialysis.

What are the advantages of a Kidney Transplant?

Kidney Transplant may have the following advantages:

1. It can treat end-stage kidney disease.
2. It can improve the quality of life.
3. No need to undergo dialysis which is a time taking process.
4. Increases lifespan.

What are the indications of Kidney Transplant?

Kidney Transplant may be indicated for the following reasons:

1. When both the kidneys are failed
2. When you are unable to get dialysis done
3. To lower the dietary restrictions
4. To achieve a better quality of life by avoiding the complications of kidney failure.
5. To increase the lifespan.

What is the preparation for  Kidney Transplant?

1. Before undergoing kidney transplant surgery, your overall health should be evaluated.
2. Inform your doctor if you have any past medical history or present medical conditions and the medications that you are using currently.
3. You may be asked to undergo certain lab tests like HIV and Hepatitis test, blood and tissue type tests, if men then prostate test, if women then mammogram and pap smear, heart and lung exams, colon exam, kidney and liver tests, etc before the surgery. 
4. Smoking will delay recovery. Hence you are advised to quit smoking until you are completely recovered and also prior to the surgery.
5. You will be asked to remove the jewelry and contact lens that you are wearing.
6. Discuss all the benefits, complications, and risks involved in the kidney transplant with your doctor.

What are the steps involved in  Kidney Transplant?

The steps involved in Kidney Transplant surgery are as follows:

1. General anesthesia will be given to avoid pain during the surgery. The anesthesia will be given through the intravenous route.
2. An incision is made on the abdomen by your surgeon and replaces your kidney with the donor's kidney.
3. The arteries and veins of the transplanted kidney will be connected with your arteries and veins.
4. This will help blood to flow through the new kidney.
5. The new kidney's ureter will be connected to your bladder to pass urine normally.
6. Most of the surgeons will leave your old kidney in its place. This will be removed only if it causes problems like infection, high blood pressure, etc.

What is the postprocedure care/recovery care for a Kidney transplant?

The steps involved in post-recovery care are:

1. After the surgery, you may be recommended to stay in the hospital for at least a week.
2. Most of the time, it will take a few days for your new kidney to start functioning. If you receive a kidney from your family member, then it will start working quickly when compared to the kidney donated by outsiders.
3. You will be prescribed with immunosuppressants (anti-rejection medicines), pain killers, antibiotics, etc. Take them without fail as prescribed by your doctor.
4. Follow the diet as advised.
5. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor without fail
6. Physical activity should be limited for at least one month after your surgery.
7. Lifting heavy weights should be avoided.
8. You need to make follow-up visits to your doctor to remove sutures, to know if the sutures are healed, to see if your body adjusted to the new kidney, etc.

Who can perform Kidney Transplant?

A certified and trained Nephrologist and a transplant surgeon who is well experienced in Kidney Transplantation can perform this surgery. 

What is the cost of a Kidney Transplant?

The cost of a Kidney Transplant may vary according to the following factors:

1. Hospital
2. Medical condition
3. Post-surgical complications
4. Recovery time, etc

The minimum price in Bangalore starts from Rs.2,59,000

The average cost in Bangalore is approximately Rs.6,14,857

The maximum amount to be paid in Bangalore rises up to Rs.10,00,000

Is Kidney Transplant major surgery or minor surgery?

Kidney Transplant is considered a major surgery since it involves replacing your failed kidney with the donor's healthy kidney. 

What is the eligibility criteria?

The eligibility criteria for a Kidney Transplant are as follows:

1. Patients with end-stage kidney disease 
2. Acute kidney disease cannot be treated with medications.
3. Donor and patient blood group, tissue type should be matched.

What is the eligibility criteria?

The ineligibility criteria for a Kidney Transplant are as follows:

1. Serious infectious diseases like bone infections, tuberculosis, hepatitis, etc.
2. Cancer or has a past history of cancer
3. HIV positive 
4. Liver disease
5. Heart diseases
6. Smoking
7. Illicit drugs
8. Alcohol 
9. Psychiatric illness

What are the risks and complications associated with  Kidney Transplant?

The risks and complications involved in Kidney Transplant are as follows:

1. Bleeding
2. Blood clots
3. Infection
4. Allergic reactions to the anesthesia
5. Leakage of the ureter
6. Blockage of the ureter
7. Rejection of the donated kidney by your body
8. Sometimes the donated kidney may fail to function
9. Stroke
10. Heart attack

How long does it take to complete  Kidney Transplant?

The whole procedure of Kidney Transplant may take up to two to three hours.  

What is the recovery time for Kidney Transplant?

The recovery time after the Kidney Transplant surgery is mostly three to eight weeks. They can return to their work and normal activities after three to eight weeks. 

The success rate of  Kidney Transplant?

The success rate depends on the patient's health condition, the surgeon, etc. The success rate of Kidney Transplant surgery is about 85% to 90%.

Is  Kidney Transplant painful?

Every surgery comes with a certain level of pain and some discomfort.  You won't be experiencing pain during this process because you will be under general anesthesia. There may be some pain after Kidney Transplant surgery. You will be prescribed with some pain killers to reduce the pain.

Is  Kidney Transplant Permanent?

Kidney Transplant is not permanent. The average life span of a kidney donated by a deceased donor is twelve years while a kidney from a living person lasts up to fifteen years.

What are the long-term results of  Kidney Transplant?

1. Kidney Tansplant is not permanent and the life span maybe around 10 to 15 years.
2. There may be chances of failure of the transplanted kidney after a few years.

What are the options if the Kidney Transplant fails or not successful? 

If the Kidney Transplant fails the alternate option will be dialysis.