Your kidney transplant will take around two to six hours depending on what type of surgery you’re having:

• Keyhole transplant surgery (two hours)
• Traditional transplant surgery (four hours)
• Dual kidney transplant surgery (four to six hours)

Once you’re asleep from the general anaesthetic your surgeon makes a cut (incision) in your lower abdomen and places the new kidney in either the right or left-hand side of your abdomen. 

Your surgeon then connects the new kidney to your blood vessels so it can function properly.  We leave your own kidney where it is unless it’s infected or you have uncontrolled high blood pressure. 

The surgeon then connects the long thin tube (ureter) from your new kidney to your bladder so you can urinate (pee).

They may put a stent in the new ureter to keep it open which we remove six to twelve weeks after your surgery.

Once the new kidney is in place your surgeon closes the cut with stitches or clips.

They then bandage your abdomen and insert small tubes including an intravenous drip into your arms, neck and bladder.

These are left in place for medicines, fluids and so you can urinate.

After surgery, we will take you to the recovery suite, where your care nurse will look after you while you come round from the anaesthetic. 

Once your care nurse is happy with your progress, we will move you to your private en-suite to relax. 

We’ll provide you with food and drink shortly after your surgery, and your care nurse will record how much urine you produce to check your kidney is working well.

To reduce the chance of blood clots, we will encourage you to gently move around as much as possible.

Your physiotherapist will assist you with breathing exercises to reduce your chances of getting a chest infection.

We usually remove the tubes in your veins and abdomen after two to three days, and your urinary catheter after five days.

Our patients tell us the biggest benefits of a kidney transplant are more energy and a new lease for life. 

You should notice other benefits including: 

• Freedom from dialysis
• Longer life expectancy
• Increase in physical strength 
• Improved sex life
• Improved blood pressure
• Ability to eat a normal diet
• More control over your lifestyle
• Recovery from anaemia
• Work, travel and exercise are easier

How long it takes to recover from your kidney transplant surgery depends on how fit and healthy you are before your surgery and whether you’re having a single or dual kidney transplant (DKT). 

For the first few weeks, we’ll organise regular follow-ups and tests to check your kidney is functioning properly, and to make sure you have all the medications you need.

As soon as you feel well enough you can do gentle exercise, such as walking and stretching.

Keeping fit with tennis, cycling, golf and swimming will help strengthen your muscles. 

For the first six to eight weeks you should try and avoid lifting any heavy objects or driving.

It’s also best to avoid contact sports, like rugby or basketball, to protect your new kidney. Your care team will advise you on whether it’s safe to exercise in certain ways.

You can contact us at any time and we’re happy to help with any questions you may have.

Kidney transplant surgery can have side effects and there may be complications, including:

• Blood clots or internal bleeding
• Heart attack or stroke
• A blocked ureter that links the new kidney and bladder
• Infection from elsewhere in the body that spreads to the new kidney
• Failure or rejection of the new kidney

Other side effects include: 

• Feeling puffy under your skin
• Weight gain
• Acne

You may need to take medication to stop your body from rejecting your new kidney.

Side effects from anti-rejection medication can include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes 
• Hair loss or growth
• Bone thinning (osteoporosis)

At The London Clinic we aim to reduce the chances of any complications, so you have the best possible outcome and recover as smoothly as possible.