Kidney Transplant Program

Kidney Transplant

Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Donation

Does a living kidney donor bear any expenses?

The organ recipient's insurance covers the cost of the donor's surgery and hospitalization. Pain medication, antibiotics and medicine to prepare for surgery are provided at no charge. However, donors typically have to take three to four days off from their job for the procedure, so they need to have a financial plan to cover the lost work time.

What type of surgery is used to remove the donor's kidney?

The kidney is removed either through an open incision or using laparoscopic techniques. Laparoscopic surgery tends to be less painful because the incisions only need to be large enough for surgeons to use a tube-shaped video camera and instruments to perform the procedure, as well as a small incision to remove the kidney. Traditional surgery can involve a larger incision.

How long do I need to recover from donation surgery?

Most donors leave the hospital one to two days after surgery.

What are the risks of donating a kidney?

The major risk is the same risk associated with any type of surgery: complications or death from anesthesia. There is no risk associated with living with just one kidney. People who have diabetes or hypertension, however, may not be good candidates to donate a kidney, because they have a higher risk of facing kidney disease themselves.

Christiana Care Kidney Transplant Program
Medical Arts Pavilion 2, Suite 2224
4735 Ogletown-Stanton Road
Newark DE 19713 directions
302-623-3866
866-682-6792