Kidney Transplant
A kidney transplant places a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into a person whose own kidneys have failed. The new kidney takes over the work of filtering the blood, freeing most recipients from dialysis. It is the preferred treatment for many people with end-stage kidney disease, generally offering better quality of life and long-term outcomes than dialysis.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
When the kidneys fail and can no longer filter waste and excess fluid from the blood, the options are dialysis or transplantation. A transplant offers the most complete treatment: a single healthy donor kidney can do the work of two failing ones. The donor kidney may come from a living donor — often a relative or other willing, compatible person — or from a deceased donor. Living-donor transplantation can be planned in advance and often gives excellent results.
Both recipient and any living donor undergo careful evaluation, including blood typing, tissue (HLA) matching, imaging and full medical and psychological assessment, to confirm the transplant is safe and well matched. During the operation the new kidney is usually placed low in the abdomen and connected to the blood vessels and bladder; the patient's own kidneys are generally left in place. Afterwards, immunosuppressive medication prevents rejection and is taken for life under regular monitoring.
International patients and any living donor are guided together by a dedicated coordinator, with a clear plan and a transparent, itemized cost estimate before travel covering evaluation, the donor work-up where relevant, surgery and follow-up. Our specialists can review records remotely for complex cases.
Who is a candidate?
- People with end-stage kidney disease who are on dialysis or approaching it
- Patients well enough for major surgery and committed to lifelong immunosuppression and follow-up
- Those with a suitable, willing and compatible living donor, often a relative
- People eligible for a deceased-donor program
- Patients who may be suitable for a transplant before starting dialysis (pre-emptive), in selected cases
- People seeking a specialist second opinion on transplant suitability
What happens
- 1
Evaluation and matching
You, and any living donor, complete blood typing, tissue (HLA) matching, imaging and a full medical and psychological assessment to confirm compatibility and the safety of both donor and recipient.
- 2
Preparation
Your team optimizes your health for surgery, coordinates with your dialysis where relevant, and explains the operation, recovery and the lifelong immunosuppression you will need.
- 3
The transplant
Under general anesthesia, the surgeon places the donor kidney low in the abdomen and connects it to the blood vessels and bladder. Your own kidneys are usually left in place.
- 4
Early recovery
You are monitored closely as the new kidney begins to work, with the team tracking urine output and kidney function and starting the immunosuppressive medication that prevents rejection.
- 5
Follow-up for life
Regular blood tests and clinic visits track kidney function and medication levels. International patients and living donors receive a clear aftercare plan and can be supported remotely after returning home.
Benefits
- Frees most recipients from dialysis and its time and dietary restrictions
- Generally offers better quality of life and long-term outcomes than long-term dialysis
- Living-donor transplantation can be planned in advance and often gives excellent results
- A single healthy kidney can do the filtering work of two failing kidneys
- Long-term outcomes are generally favorable with modern immunosuppression and monitoring
Risks & considerations
- Rejection of the donor kidney, which is why immunosuppression and monitoring are lifelong
- Increased risk of infection because immunosuppressive drugs lower the body's defenses
- Surgical risks including bleeding, clots and complications with the connected vessels or bladder
- Side effects of long-term immunosuppressive medication, which the team monitors and manages
- For living donors, the risks of a major operation, carefully weighed during evaluation
- Contact your medical team straight away if you develop a fever, pain or swelling over the graft, a marked drop in urine output, or any unusual bleeding or bruising — even after you return home — as these can be signs of rejection or infection that need urgent assessment
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Comprehensive Transplant Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Kidney Transplant — frequently asked questions
For many people, yes. A successful kidney transplant generally offers better quality of life and long-term outcomes than long-term dialysis and frees you from its time and dietary restrictions. Your team confirms whether transplantation is suitable for you.
Often, yes. A suitable, willing relative or other compatible person can donate a kidney and is carefully evaluated for blood type, tissue matching and overall health and safety before any living-donor surgery proceeds.
Yes. Immunosuppressive medication prevents your body from rejecting the new kidney and is taken for life, with regular blood tests to keep it at the right level. Your team explains the schedule and manages side effects.
Yes. Share your medical reports and dialysis records and our specialists provide an independent opinion on whether transplantation is appropriate, before you commit to travel.
A kidney transplant usually means around one to two weeks in hospital plus further recovery and follow-up locally — your coordinator confirms the timeline. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case, listing evaluation, the donor work-up where relevant, surgery, hospital stay and follow-up, rather than a fixed online price.
Related treatments
Considering kidney transplant?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.