A kidney transplant is like a new lease of life to patients with irreversible kidney failure. It eliminates the need for dialysis and helps patients live a regular, active life.

A kidney transplant is a very expensive affair in the US and in UK, with base prices beginning from $100,000 . As a result, it is out of reach of many people, especially those who are not insured. This is the reason why increasing numbers of people are going abroad, to countries like India for renal transplant. Not only are the rates much lower than that in the U.S and UK., India also provides superior medical treatment in the form of kidney transplant experts and personalized services. But, please note that very few cadaver donor transplants are done in India; the majority are living donor transplants. AND PATIENTS MUST BRING THEIR LIVING DONOR WITH THEM. Renal transplantation undoubtedly changes your life for the better. However, it does have a few risks (though rare) and requires your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Successful kidney transplant hospitals should have a good nephrologist, cardiothoracic surgeon and urologist.

Kidney transplantation can treat advanced kidney disease and kidney failure, but it is not a cure. Some forms of kidney disease may return after transplant.

The health risks associated with kidney transplant include those associated directly with the surgery itself, rejection of the donor organ and side effects of taking medications (anti-rejection or immunosuppressants) needed to prevent your body from rejecting the donated kidney.

Deciding whether kidney transplant is right for you is a personal decision that deserves careful thought and consideration of the serious risks and benefits. Talk through your decision with your friends, family and other trusted advisors.

·      Rejection
·      Infection
·      Cancer
·      Relapse (rare, but possible)
·      High blood cholesterol
·      Liver disease
·      Weakening of the bones
·      Increased risk of kidney rejection and fetal complications during pregnancy

After you get your new kidney, you should be extra careful to maintain a healthy lifestyle, so that the new kidney can function properly and give you many years of use. A healthy transplanted kidney can last from 8 to 25 years.

You and your family must keep in touch with your nephrologist.

Before you leave the hospital, you will be instructed on proper doses of and schedule for anti-rejection medications.  These instructions must be strictly followed, otherwise, the medication can actually harm your transplanted kidney.

You will be shown how to check your blood pressure, temperature, and urine at home. After each reading, you must jot them down. If you see any abnormalities, report it to your doctor immediately. The earlier you detect rejection, the better are the chances of reversing it.

Immunosuppressants, prescribed by your doctor, need to be taken as long as you have your new kidney.

Any pre-existing health conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure, must be kept in control.

Do not miss the follow-up appointments with your doctor to evaluate any signs of rejection.

You will have regular blood and urine tests to check for any signs of kidney failure. An ultrasound of the graft kidney is done to see if there are structural abnormalities
suggesting rejection.

Women who wish to conceive have to wait for about 2 years after the operation.

Whether you're waiting for a donated kidney or your transplant surgery is already scheduled, work to stay healthy. Being healthy and as active as you're able can make it more likely you'll be ready for the transplant surgery when the time comes. It may also help speed your recovery from surgery. Work to:

·        Take your medications as prescribed.
·        Follow your diet and exercise guidelines.
·        Don't smoke. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor.
·        Keep all appointments with your health care team.
·        Stay involved in healthy activities, including relaxing and spending time with family and friends.

Stay in touch with your transplant team and let them know of any significant changes in your health. If you're waiting for a donated kidney, make sure the transplant team knows how to reach you at all times. Keep your packed hospital bag handy, and make arrangements for transportation to the transplant center in advance.

FINDING A MATCH

A kidney donor can be living or deceased, related or unrelated to you. Your transplant team will consider several factors when evaluating whether a donor kidney will be a good match for you. Family members are often the most likely to be compatible living kidney donors. But successful living-donor transplants are also common with kidneys donated from unrelated people, such as friends, co-workers or religious congregation members.

Tests to determine whether a donated kidney may be suitable for you include:

BLOOD TYPING. It's preferable to get a kidney from a donor whose blood type matches or is compatible with your own. Blood-type incompatible transplants are also
possible but require additional medical treatment before and after transplant to reduce the risk of organ rejection. These are known as ABO incompatible kidney   
transplants.

TISSUE TYPING. If your blood type is compatible, the next step is a tissue typing test called human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing. This test compares genetic markers
that increase the likelihood the transplanted kidney will last a long time. A good match means it's less likely that your body will reject the organ.

CROSSMATCH. The third and final matching test involves mixing a small sample of your blood with the donor's blood in the lab. The test determines whether antibodies in your blood will react against specific antigens in the donor's blood. A negative crossmatch means they are compatible and your body isn't as likely to reject the donor kidney. Positive crossmatch kidney transplants also are possible but require additional medical treatment before and after the transplant to reduce the risk of your antibodies reacting to the donor organ.

Additional factors your transplant team may consider in finding the most appropriate donor kidney for you include matching age, kidney size and infection exposure.

After a kidney transplant, you'll take medications to help prevent your body from rejecting the donor kidney. These medications can cause a variety of side effects, including:

·        Bone thinning (osteoporosis) and bone damage (osteonecrosis)
·        Diabetes
·        Excessive hair growth or hair loss
·        High blood pressure
·        High cholesterol

Other side effects may include:

·        Increased risk of cancer, particularly skin cancer and lymphoma
·        Infection
·        Puffiness (edema)
·        Weight gain
·        Acne

Kidney transplant surgery carries a risk of significant complications, including:

·        Blood clots and bleeding
·        Leaking from or blockage of the tube (ureter) that links the kidney to the bladder
·        Infection
·        Failure or rejection of the donated kidney
·        An infection or cancer that can be transmitted with the donated kidney
·        Death, heart attack and stroke

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure to place a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into a person whose kidneys no longer function properly. Their main function is to filter and remove waste, minerals and fluid from the blood by producing urine. When your kidneys lose this filtering ability, harmful levels of fluid and waste accumulate in your body, which can raise your blood pressure and result in kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease). End-stage renal disease occurs when the kidneys have lost about 90% of their ability to function normally. 

People with end-stage renal disease need to have waste removed from their bloodstream via a machine (dialysis) or a kidney transplant to stay alive.