How long do you stay in the hospital after donating a kidney?

Most living kidney donors will be in the hospital for one to two days after their surgery, although at some transplant centers, donors may be in the hospital for up to 4 to 6 days. The most common complication experienced by donors is tenderness, itching, and/or pain at the site of the surgical incision(s).

Does a kidney donation hurt?

After leaving the hospital, the donor will typically feel tenderness, itching and some pain as the incision continues to heal. Generally, heavy lifting is not recommended for about six weeks following surgery. It is also recommended that donors avoid contact sports where the remaining kidney could be injured.

Is kidney donation a major surgery?

What are the risks of becoming a kidney donor? Removing a kidney from your body involves major surgery. There is a risk of complications from surgery, such as pain, infection, pneumonia, and bleeding.

How long does a kidney operation take?

When the kidney is properly in place, the incision in your abdomen will be closed with surgical staples, stitches or surgical glue. Although the procedure may sound relatively straightforward, it’s very demanding and complex surgery that usually takes around 3 hours to complete.

Where is the incision for a kidney donor?

A slightly larger incision is made below the bellybutton to remove the donor kidney. In open nephrectomy, a 5- to 7-inch (13- to 18-centimeter) incision is made on the side of the chest and upper abdomen. A surgical instrument called a retractor is often used to spread the ribs to access the donor’s kidney.

How long does kidney donation surgery take?

One of your kidneys will be carefully removed and transplanted in the recipient. Typically, the surgery takes 3–5 hours with time in the recovery room afterward for observation. Removing your kidney may be done by laparoscopy or open surgery. The surgery to remove a kidney is called a “nephrectomy.”

Will I gain weight after donating a kidney?

Overall, among all donors, weight increased significantly following kidney donation from 79.5 ± 2.5 kg to 81.8 ± 2.7 kg at last follow-up (mean difference 2.3 ± 0.9 kg, P < . 0001) (Table 2).

How long does a kidney donation surgery take?

What is the age limit to donate a kidney?

To donate a kidney, you must be in good physical and mental health.As a general rule, you should be 18 years or older. You must also have normal kidney function.

What do you need to know before donating a kidney?

You can donate a kidney to a family member or friend who needs one. You can also give it to someone you don’t know. Doctors call this a “nondirected” donation, in which case you might decide to meet the person you donate to, or choose to stay anonymous. Either way, doctors will give your kidney to the person who needs it most and is the best match.

What is the recovery time for donating a kidney?

After Donation. Kidney donation recovery time will vary, but most donors will be in the hospital two to seven days after the surgery, depending on the type of surgical procedure. Many donors resume normal activities about a month after surgery. Depending on the nature of work, donors may return in four to six weeks or less.

What to expect after donating a kidney?

Most kidney donors recover in the hospital for 2 to 5 days before they head home. You’ll probably still have some discomfort for the next week or two, but you’ll get a prescription for pain medication to keep you comfortable. Full recovery takes time. You should expect to lay low for at least a month after you donate.

What are the dangers of donating a kidney?

Life Expectancy. Donating a kidney is major surgery but has not been shown to reduce the donor’s life expectancy.