To Know Your Treatment Options

To Know Your Treatment Options / Step 1: Making an Informed Decision

Making an Informed Decision about whether a kidney transplant is right for you. 

What is kidney transplantation? 

A kidney transplant is a surgery done to replace a diseased kidney with a healthy kidney from a donor. The kidney may come from a deceased organ donor or from a living donor. During the surgery, the new kidney will be inserted and connected to the blood vessels and bladder. The new kidney will be placed in the lower part of the abdomen. The diseased kidney(s) will typically be left in place.

What is better – kidney transplantation or dialysis?

A kidney transplant is often the treatment of choice for kidney failure, compared with lifetime treatment on dialysis.

Kidney transplantation is associated with:

• A better quality of life
• Better short- and long-term survival rate
• Fewer dietary restrictions
• Lower treatment cost
• Less time spent on a waiting list
• Preventing possible complications and deterioration of recipients health
• The transplant may be scheduled in advance once the donor is approved as opposed to a potential emergency transplant procedure when a patient is.

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