Volunteering to be a living donor is a generous act. The transplant waiting
list continues to grow, outpacing the available organs from deceased donors.
Donating a kidney is a major decision, and no one should feel pressured
into acting as a living donor. Potential donors should be sure to carefully
consider their decision.
What indicates a good match?
The most successful matches come from immediate family members since they
share many similar genes. However, matches are possible from extended
family, friends, coworkers, and even altruistic donors. The success rate
of living kidney donor kidneys, no matter what the relationship, is significantly
greater than those from deceased donors.
Who pays for the living donor’s tests and surgery?
The recipient’s insurance will pay for the workup process, surgery
and post-surgery clinic visits. Donors are responsible for their own transportation,
lodging and any lost wages. Our transplant navigators are available to
answer any questions related to expenses and potential financial resources.
What is the next step after a successful match?
One of our transplant coordinators will schedule a surgery date that is
convenient for you. Usually, a donor will be seen a few days before surgery
for final evaluations and tests to ensure that his or her kidneys are
functioning correctly.
How is laparoscopic nephrectomy different from the traditional kidney donation
operation?
A laparoscopic nephrectomy is a less invasive surgical procedure used for
living kidney donation. Donors are usually up a few hours after surgery
and return to normal activities within two-to-three weeks. Other advantages
of this less invasive procedure include fewer complications, a shorter
hospital stay, less pain and better cosmetic results. However, if a traditional
open-nephrectomy surgery is necessary; our surgeons have an extensive
background in these procedures as well.
What can donors expect before and after the operation?
The donor is taken to the operating room where a general anesthetic is
used throughout the surgery. Immediately afterward, the removed kidney
is taken into another operating room to be transplanted in the recipient.
Often, the kidney begins to function in the recipient before the donor
is in the recovery room. The donor procedure usually lasts about three-to-four hours.
What happens during the recovery time?
Recovery can be different for each patient. The donor is usually hospitalized
for three-to-five days. Donors typically return to work four weeks after
the surgery. All heavy lifting and strenuous activity should be avoided
for about four weeks.
Do I risk losing my job by being a living donor?
No – according to a recent ruling by the U.S. Department of Labor,
individuals who choose to donate an organ are covered under the Family
Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and do not have to fear losing their job. Organ
donation qualifies as a “serious medical condition,” since
donors require hospital stays and inpatient care.
Interested in becoming a living kidney donor?
Please watch this four-video series, which provides a great deal of information
on the process, from the reasons kidney donation is so important, to what
required of living donors, to details about kidney paired exchange.
Transplantation would be impossible without the generous gift of life given
by organ donors each day. There remains a tremendous shortage of organs
as thousands of people wait – and die – on the list for a
possible transplant. One donor can save the lives of up to nine people.
To learn more about organ donation and becoming a donor in Louisiana, please
refer to the following links:
LOPA-Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency is a local, federally-designated organ procurement organization responsible
for facilitating the organ donors in Louisiana. Their educational and
outreach programs have led to increased organ awareness.
One Legacy is a local, not-for-profit organization which is entirely focused on education
and outreach to increase organ donor awareness.
