When to consider a transplant
Transplant is considered when chronic kidney disease reaches stage 5, and outcomes are better when it is planned before dialysis becomes long-standing. A pre-emptive transplant — done before dialysis starts — generally gives the best graft and patient survival, so the conversation is worth having early rather than after years on dialysis.
- eGFR below 15—20 with progressive decline
- Already on maintenance haemodialysis or CAPD
- A willing, medically fit and legally eligible donor in the family
- No active infection or untreated cancer
- Cardiac fitness confirmed for surgery
The pathway, step by step
The process is as much administrative as surgical, and knowing the sequence removes most of the anxiety.
- Blood group and tissue typing, crossmatch for donor—recipient compatibility
- Full pre-transplant evaluation of both donor and recipient
- Authorisation committee clearance as required under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act
- Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and implantation the same day
- Immunosuppression started and adjusted in hospital
- Structured follow-up for life
Results and what is expected of you
Most recipients are out of bed within a day and home in about a week, with the new kidney usually producing urine on the operating table. What sustains a graft for decades is not the surgery but the discipline afterwards — medication taken exactly on time, blood levels checked on schedule, infections reported early.
ABO-incompatible and swap transplants are possible when a direct match is not available, which widens the donor pool considerably for families who have been told there is no option.
Kidney Transplant Surgery — common questions
Who can donate a kidney?
Under Indian law, a near relative — parents, siblings, children, spouse and grandparents — can donate after medical and legal clearance. Other donors require authorisation committee approval.
How long does a transplanted kidney last?
A living-donor kidney commonly functions well for fifteen to twenty years or longer. Regular follow-up and strict medication adherence are the biggest determinants.
What does a kidney transplant cost in Faridabad?
It varies with the hospital, ICU stay, induction agents and any complications. You receive a written estimate covering donor workup, surgery and the first month of medication before admission.
Is dialysis needed after transplant?
Usually not. Occasionally a graft takes a few days to start working fully and short-term dialysis is needed during that period.
Reviewed by Dr. Kinjal Banerjee, MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DNB (Urology) — Urologist, Renal Transplant & Robotic Surgeon, Faridabad. This page explains kidney transplant surgery in general terms; your own treatment plan depends on your reports and examination.