Starting the Conversation

As kidney disease progresses, transplant may become one of the options to consider. It might come up during a doctor’s visit as your kidney function changes, or it may be something you choose to ask about yourself. Doctors can refer you for a transplant evaluation when your eGFR falls to 30 or below,¹ and you may be eligible to be listed as soon as your eGFR reaches 20.²

Talking about transplant earlier can open up more possibilities, giving you time to:

• Get familiar with what the process involves

• Think through whether it feels like the right path for you

• Start planning next steps with your care team

• Make health or lifestyle changes that could help support your eligibility

Getting Referred to a Transplant Center

Getting referred connects you with a team that specializes in transplant care and guides you through the next steps.

How the referral works Most people are referred by their kidney doctor or care team, but you may also be able to contact a transplant center directly. After you’re referred, a transplant coordinator or financial specialist may reach out to help you get started.

What a transplant center does Transplant centers bring together a highly specialized team with deep experience in transplant care. These experts manage different parts of the process, from evaluation to surgery and long-term care. Along the way, you may work with transplant doctors, clinical coordinators, social workers, pharmacists, and other support staff who are specially trained to care for transplant patients.

Discover the key members of your care team.

Things that can affect timing and access Where you live can play a role. Because organs need to be transplanted within a limited time, being closer to a donor hospital may affect availability. Wait times can vary based on location and other factors.

Choosing a transplant center There are many transplant centers, and they can differ in their criteria, experience, and approach. Your care team can help you understand your options and what to consider when deciding where to go.

Completing Your Transplant Evaluation

Before moving forward, you’ll go through an evaluation to understand if a transplant is the right and safest option for you. This part of the process can involve many appointments, tests, and follow-up steps, so it’s important to stay involved and keep things moving forward.

What this step involves Your evaluation includes a series of tests and conversations to get a full picture of your health, including medical and financial assessments. You’ll meet with different members of the transplant team, and a coordinator will help guide you through the process.

What you may be tested for You may have blood tests, imaging, and other screenings to check your overall health and readiness for surgery. If a donor is involved, additional testing helps determine how well you match.

You can read more about the path to a match here.

How decisions are made Once your testing is complete, a team reviews your results together. This group (often called a selection committee) decides whether a transplant is the best option for you.

If you’re approved, the next steps may include insurance authorization and being placed on the transplant waitlist.

Waiting for a Transplant

Waiting is a normal part of the transplant process, and it can look different for everyone. Some people receive a transplant sooner, while others may wait longer. For recipients waiting for a kidney from a deceased donor, the wait can often be several years, depending on many factors.

What the waitlist means for transplant recipients Being on the waitlist is not passive. Your status can change over time based on your health and potential donor matches. Staying in touch with your transplant team can help you stay informed and prepared.

Stay ready while you wait There are steps you can take while you wait:

• Keep up with your appointments and overall health

• Stay in contact with your transplant team and share any updates

• Make sure your contact information is current, since calls can come at any time

Undergoing Transplant Surgery

Transplant surgery may be planned in advance or happen quickly, depending on how soon a kidney becomes available. If you have a living donor, your surgery is usually scheduled ahead of time. If you’re receiving a deceased donor kidney, it begins when you get the call that one is available.

What happens on the day of surgery When you arrive at the hospital, you’ll go through final testing and preparation. During the procedure, the new kidney is placed in your lower abdomen. Your original kidneys are usually left in place.

Recovery in the hospital Recovery begins right after surgery. Most people stay in the hospital for several days while their care team monitors how the new kidney is working and supports the early stages of healing.

Read more about surgery and recovery.

Recovering After Transplant

Recovery looks different for everyone. Many people start getting back to daily activities within a few weeks after surgery, with fuller recovery over the next few months.

Medications and protecting your kidney Medications are a key part of protecting your new kidney.³ You’ll take immunosuppressants to help prevent rejection, and your care team will adjust them over time and guide you on how to take them safely.

Read more about medications here.

Follow-up care and monitoring Follow-up care is frequent, especially early on. You’ll have regular appointments and testing to check how your kidney is working and monitor your overall health. These visits help your care team catch and manage any issues that may arise as soon as possible.

Support during recovery Support from others can make a difference. Caregivers often help with transportation, medications, and day-to-day recovery. Staying connected with your care team is also an important part of this stage.

Learn more about surgery and recovery.

Life After Transplant

Many people notice meaningful changes in their day-to-day life after a transplant. You may have more energy and flexibility compared to life on dialysis, and over time, many people return to work, travel, and activities they enjoy.

A new daily routine Life after transplant also comes with new responsibilities. Ongoing medications, regular monitoring, and healthy habits become part of your routine. Staying consistent with these steps can play an important role in protecting your kidney over time.

Adjusting emotionally It’s normal to experience a range of emotions after transplant. You may feel relief and hope, along with moments of uncertainty. Support from your care team, family, or others who have been through transplant can help you adjust.

Learn more about life after transplant.

Taking an active role in your care

Your care team is there to support you, but your voice matters too. The more you understand what’s happening, the easier it is to stay involved, ask questions, and make decisions that feel right for you.

Remember to always:

• Speak up early: If something feels off—physically, emotionally, or even with how your care is being managed—it’s worth bringing up. Speaking up early gives your care team a chance to step in and support you before small concerns become bigger issues.

• Find support when you need it: You may run into practical challenges along the way, like cost, access, or navigating the system. You don’t have to handle this on your own. Social workers and support organizations can help connect you to resources and guide you through your options.