LIVE KIDNEY DONATION (Contd)
Q: Will I have a normal life after surgery?
A: We expect most patients to return to a normal life within two to three months after surgery, provided there are no serious complications.
Q: How long will it take to recover?
A: Recovery time will depend in part on whether your kidney is removed by an open incision, which involves a larger incision and longer recovery time of about eight weeks, or by laparoscope, which involves several small incisions and a shorter recovery of about four weeks.
Q: What should I expect during recovery at home?
A: When you return home, your activities will be limited. However, donors are encouraged to be active in between their periods of rest. Walking is considered excellent exercise during this time. You may also have some swelling around the incision area and should plan to wear loose, comfortable clothes.
Q: What are the health risks associated with being a donor?
A:
· The risks of donation are similar to those involved with any major surgery, such as bleeding and infection.
· Death resulting from kidney donation is extremely rare.
· Current research indicates that kidney donation does not change life expectancy or increase a person’s risks of developing kidney disease or other health problems.
Q: Will giving a kidney affect my lifestyle?
A:
· A person can lead an active, normal life with only one kidney.
· Studies have shown that one kidney is sufficient to keep the body healthy.
· After recovering from surgery, a donor can work, drive, exercise and participate in sports, though contact sports are not recommended.
· A donor can continue in all types of occupations, including military duty.
· Also, being a donor does not impact a person’s ability to have a child.
Q: What kind of follow-up is needed?
A:
· You will have a post-operative appointment with your surgeon 1-2 weeks after the surgery.
· After donation, it is recommended that routine annual check-ups are completed with either your primary care physician or the transplant center.
Q: What emotions do donors feel after the surgery?
A:
· Most living donors say they feel great satisfaction with the donation experience because they have helped to improve another person’s quality of life.
· Even in rare instances where the transplant is not successful, many donors say they feel positive about their decision because they did their very best to help a relative or friend.
· However, there is a small chance for donors to experience some negative or mixed feelings after the donation. These feelings have been more likely to occur in cases where the outcome of the surgery did not meet the expectations of the donor and/or recipient as well as in cases where the donor was unsure of his or her decision.
A:
· The goal is to be back to normal health within two to three months.
· Walking is very important to your recovery. Each day, you should push yourself a little bit more. By walking as soon after your surgery as possible, you will help prevent such complications as blood clots, pneumonia and muscle wasting.
· If you are feeling well and not having complications, you may begin to return to your normal exercise activities. Begin slowly and build up your strength and stamina. You will need to avoid any heavy lifting for the first four weeks until your abdomen has completely healed.
Q: Who pays for the medical costs of the donor?
A: In Nigeria, this is usually borne by the family members of the recipient and usually includes testing required for the living donor evaluation as well as the hospitalization costs and physician services provided during the donation process.
Q: Is kidney transplant covered by the NHIS?
A: For now, the NHIS does not cover transplant or dialysis.
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