Kidney transplant

Methodist Healthcare’s commitment to excellence has earned us a wealth of recognition in the field. We are a preferred provider of kidney transplant services because:

• We save more lives than any kidney transplant program in Texas.
• We add more patients to the transplant waiting list any other program in the U.S.
• We perform more living donor kidney transplants than any other program in the U.S.
• We perform more deceased donor kidney transplants than any other program in Texas.

A kidney transplant may be a recommended treatment for patients who are experiencing end-stage renal (kidney) disease and/or are approaching 25 percent or less kidney function. When your doctor has provided this diagnosis, or as a proactive step in your care, you may consider talking to one of our transplant teams. In most cases of end-stage kidney failure, a transplanted kidney offers a much greater ability to filter your blood than dialysis treatments and will likely result in improved quality of life and better long-term health.

To begin the kidney transplant process, you will need to request a consultation for a referral to our program. Once we receive a referral for your kidney transplant, we will schedule an initial appointment for you to meet with our team. This typically lasts five to seven hours. We will perform a health evaluation, determine any tests you need to complete before your kidney transplant surgery and discuss the available donor options.

Several factors are considered when evaluating a kidney donor, including age, kidney size, and infection exposure, as well as blood and tissue typing. Donors can be living or deceased and may or may not be related. Our transplant team will undergo numerous tests to ensure your donor is a good match for the best possible outcome.

Before your kidney transplant procedure, you will receive anesthesia, so you will not be awake during surgery. During the procedure, your surgeon will place the new kidney in your body, attaching its blood vessels to the existing blood vessels in your lower abdomen above your leg. Finally, the surgeon will connect your new kidney’s ureter to your bladder.

You may spend anywhere from a few days to a week in the hospital recovering from surgery. Upon discharge from the hospital, your care team will closely monitor you every few weeks to ensure your body responds well to your new kidney. You will continue to take medication throughout your life to reduce the risk of rejection and other complications.