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Still, it’s a complex surgery. Here’s what you should know before you decide it’s right for you.

How Do I Get a Donor Kidney?

If your doctor thinks a transplant is an option for you, they’ll put you in touch with a local transplant center. That’s a hospital that does organ transplants. You’ll then have exams, X-rays, and scans to make sure you’re healthy enough to go through the transplant process.

There are two different ways you can get a healthy kidney. The first is through what’s known as a “living donors.” This might be a family member or close friend who is willing to give you one of their kidneys. Or, it could be a stranger who’s willing to give you one of theirs. The second way you could get a kidney is from a deceased organ donor.

If you have a living donor, you’ll be able to schedule the date of your transplant surgery. Getting a kidney from a deceased organ donor may take much longer. You’ll be placed on a waiting list. Then, when a kidney is ready, you’ll receive a call telling you to get to the hospital right away.

What Happens During Surgery?

A kidney transplant often takes 3 hours, but can last as long as 5.

You’ll be given anesthesia so you stay asleep the whole time. Then once you’re “under,” the surgeon will make an opening in your abdomen, just above your groin. Your own kidneys won’t be removed unless they’re infected or causing pain, but the donor kidney will be put in. Its blood vessels will be attached. Then, the surgeon will connect the ureter (the tube that carries urine from your kidney) to your bladder.

If your damaged kidney is removed, you have the option of giving it to a kidney research group. Doctors will study it to learn more about kidney disease and hopefully get closer to a cure. If this interests you, you’ll need to tell your transplant doctor ahead of time.

What’s Recovery Like?

You may be able to get out of bed and walk around the day after your transplant. Most people stay in the hospital for 5 days or less.

Although you should start to feel much better in about 2 weeks, you won’t be able to drive or lift heavy objects for about a month. Your doctor will probably advise you to take off work for 6 to 8 weeks.

You’ll recover faster if you stay active. Your doctor will tell you what exercises are safe to do and for how long. Many people start with walking and stretching, then slowly build up to longer and more intense workouts. But contact sports, like soccer and football, will be off limits, since you could harm your donor kidney.

Giving up smoking and alcohol are key to staying healthy. You may also think about talking to a dietitian about healthy meal planning. You’ll be able to eat more fruits and vegetables and drink more liquids than someone on dialysis. But you’ll also need to choose foods that can keep your blood pressure low and blood sugar stable.