Transplanted Kidney

Here’s an interesting fact about kidney transplants. Your native kidneys are not removed when you have a transplant unless they’re causing problems such as pain or infection. A healthy kidney is about the size of your fist. The damaged kidneys eventually shrivel up and remain in the body. Your transplanted kidney is placed in the lower right or left abdomen and surgically connected to the nearby blood vessels. Once it’s connected it immediately begins to “pee” – that means success! It is then quickly connected to the bladder via the ureter, and it will start doing the job of the failing organs. For subsequent transplants the same procedure is followed – inserting the new kidney in the other side of the abdomen and connecting it to the artery and vein nearby. The surgeon says there are several available “pockets” in your abdomen to continue this procedure several times, if necessary.

Yale living donor referral line: 1-866-925-3897 and mention Dylan McBeth