Kidney Transplant

If your kidneys are failing, a kidney transplant may be an effective, long-term solution. The Miami Transplant Institute (MTI) is one of the nation’s leaders in making these life-saving procedures available to adults and children facing end-stage kidney disease. We have performed almost 10,000 kidney transplants since 1988, a demonstration of decades of surgical leadership in the field.

With an average of 400 kidney transplants a year, MTI is the largest kidney transplant program in Florida, and is in the top three nationally. Performing highly complex and challenging kidney transplants, we also have outstanding post-transplant results.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on each side of the body, right below the ribcage. They function by helping to filter waste from the blood and convert the waste into urine. When the kidneys stop functioning properly, this can lead to waste building up in the body and can cause serious complications, including kidney failure. A kidney transplant is a life-saving surgery performed to replace diseased or damaged kidneys with healthy kidneys from a deceased or living donor.

The most common reason for a kidney transplant is end-stage kidney disease or kidney failure that has not responded to other medical treatments. When your kidneys can no longer filter waste properly, you will need either dialysis and/or a kidney transplant. People who get transplants can generally expect to live longer and healthier lives than those who get dialysis.

Common causes of end-stage kidney disease that lead to needing a kidney transplant include:

While a kidney transplant can be a life-saving procedure for patients with kidney failure, not all patients are candidates for surgery.

Factors that may negatively affect your eligibility to receive a kidney transplant include:

A kidney transplant is one of the most common organ transplant surgeries performed in the U.S. It is a life-saving procedure that offers a high survival rate to recipients after the surgery.

Before a kidney transplant, you will go through a thorough pre-transplant screening to help the transplant team decide if you are qualified for a kidney transplant. During the evaluation, your Miami Transplant Institute doctors and transplant team will conduct a complete physical exam, review your health records, order a series of tests and x-rays to learn about your overall health, and evaluate your mental and emotional health to determine your ability to manage the stress associated with the pre- and post-transplant process.

Tests and procedures performed during the evaluation include:

The risks from undertaking a kidney transplant are similar to risks from any other type of surgery, such as bleeding, blood clots, and infection. You may also experience side effects from the immunosuppressive medications and could become more prone to infections since these medications also suppress the immune system and make it difficult for the body to fight off infections. The immunosuppressive medications are given to help reduce or stop organ rejection, which is a serious risk that can occur at any time after a transplant, and must be taken for the lifetime of the recipient. Rejection is a common reaction from the body when it perceives the new kidney as a foreign object and tries to fight it by rejecting it. Even with these risks, a kidney transplant typically leads to a longer and higher-quality life than dialysis.

Before you begin your kidney transplant surgery, you will be given general anesthesia so that you remain asleep and do not feel any pain during the surgery. Once you are asleep, your surgeon will make an incision in the lower right or left side of your abdomen, and position the donated kidney. Your own kidney will typically be left in the body unless it has an infection or other issue necessitating its removal.

Once the new kidney has been placed, your surgeon will reconnect the nearby blood vessels to the blood vessels of the donated kidney. The vein and artery of your new kidney will be attached to your vein and artery. Then the ureter of your new kidney is attached to your bladder to allow it to pass out of your body. Upon completion, your surgeon will close the incision in your abdomen with surgical staples or stitches. The kidney transplant surgery typically takes between two to four hours to complete.

After a kidney transplant, your new kidney may start functioning immediately or you may need to undertake dialysis for a few weeks until it starts working properly. Most people who receive a kidney transplant due to kidney failure have a much better quality of life and see improved health and energy. If you were dependent on dialysis before the kidney transplant, you’ll now be able to return to a more regular lifestyle without having to worry about following a dialysis treatment schedule. Many kidney transplant recipients are able to return to work or school within a few months after the procedure.

After your kidney transplant, your diet will play an important role in your recovery and kidney health. While you will have fewer dietary restrictions than if you were on dialysis, you will be advised to maintain a healthy diet and avoid certain foods, such as anything that contains high levels of salt or saturated fat.

Your dietitian will provide you with several healthy food options to use in your nutrition plan. These will include a variety of recommendations, such as eating five servings of fruit and vegetables a day as well as plenty of whole grains and starchy foods, high-fiber foods, low-fat dairy products and lean meats such as poultry and fish.

It is also crucial that you drink plenty of water, typically 2 liters per day, to support healthy kidney function. It will be important to avoid eating raw or undercooked foods since you will have a weakened immune system and these foods can put you at risk of serious infection or illness.

Once you recover from your kidney transplant surgery, regular physical activity is recommended to support and maintain your overall health. You can start with light activities such as walking or stretching, then gradually build up to a greater intensity. It is recommended that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderately intense activity a week. This includes any type of exercise that increases the heart rate such as jogging, swimming, bicycling, fast walking, dancing, and more. Your transplant team will recommend a physical activity plan based on your personal needs and goals.