Final Testing and Appointments

A CT scan is one of the final tests that will be completed once the nephrologist has reviewed all of the medical records and test results. This study gives detailed information about the kidneys and the blood vessels going to and from the kidney. The transplant surgeon will use this information to determine which kidney will be surgically removed during the donor operation. More about CT scan

Final Crossmatch and Pre-Admission Testing

The transplant secretary will schedule all final appointments and send confirmation of the schedule approximately three weeks prior to the scheduled procedure. Approximately one to two weeks before the scheduled surgery, the donor and recipient have some scheduled tests and appointments that are completed together. At this point, a final crossmatch is completed to verify that the donor and recipient compatibility has not changed.

Donor and recipient also have an appointment in the pre-admission testing department. During this appointment:

Hospital staff will review your records to make sure all laboratory testing is within normal limits and that the tests have not expired.
They will complete any testing that needs to be completed.
You will also receive instructions as to where and what time to report for surgery and instructions for the night prior to surgery.

Appointments Before Surgery

Once this process has been completed you will be asked to report back to the transplant center. During this appointment, donor and recipient will meet the surgeon who will perform their surgery. The surgical procedure and recovery will be discussed. You will be given the opportunity to ask questions and will be asked to sign a surgical consent.

Following the visit with the surgeon, the donor and recipient will meet with a nurse from the transplant center. The nurse will also review the pre- and post-surgical process with both the donor and recipient.

During this appointment, post-transplant medications are reviewed with the recipient. Donors are not obligated to remain for this portion of the meeting. However, many have reported they found it helpful to know what the long-term implications are after the recipient receives this precious gift. Family members also find it valuable to know this information prior to the surgical procedure.

Kidney donation surgery: Donor surgical options and what to expect