Kidney Transplant: Who’s Eligible and What to Expect

Kidney transplantation can be a life-changing solution for people living with severe kidney disease, but it's natural to have questions, concerns, and even fears.

Who can receive a kidney transplant in Kerala? What tests are involved? How long does recovery take? And most importantly – can it truly bring back a better quality of life?

In this blog, we break down everything you need to know — from eligibility criteria to the surgery and beyond — so you can feel informed, empowered, and ready to take the next step in your care journey at the top nephrology hospital in Kerala.

Let’s begin by understanding who truly needs a kidney transplant and who can get one.

What is Kidney Transplantation?

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure where a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor is implanted into a patient with severely damaged or non-functioning kidneys. Compared to long-term dialysis, a transplant offers a fresh start — helping restore overall health, independence, and a better quality of life.

A kidney transplant is considered the gold standard treatment for kidney failure, offering several life-enhancing benefits:

Improved quality of life

• Increased life expectancy

• Fewer dietary limitations

• Reduced long-term healthcare costs

• Freedom from regular dialysis sessions

When performed at a kidney transplant hospital in Kerala like Believers, outcomes can be significantly better due to comprehensive care, follow-up, and access to advanced surgical teams.

Who Needs a Kidney Transplant?

You may need a kidney transplant if you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This is a permanent condition of kidney failure. It often needs dialysis. This is a process used to remove wastes and other substances from the blood.

Some conditions of the kidneys that may result in ESRD include:

• Repeated urinary infections

• Kidney failure caused by diabetes or high blood pressure

• Polycystic kidney disease or other inherited disorders

• Glomerulonephritis, which is inflammation of the kidneys' filtering units

• Hemolytic uremic syndrome, a rare disorder that causes kidney failure

• Lupus and other diseases of the immune system

• Obstructions

• Other conditions, such as congenital defects of the kidneys, may result in the need for a kidney transplant.

How do I get ready for a kidney transplant?

A transplant team carries out the evaluation process for a kidney. The team includes a transplant surgeon, a kidney transplant specialist in Kerala (transplant nephrologist), one or more transplant nurses, a social worker, and a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The evaluation includes:

• Mental health evaluation: Psychological and social issues involved in an organ transplant, such as stress, financial issues, and support by family and significant others, are assessed. These issues can greatly affect the outcome of a transplant. The same kind of evaluation is done for a living donor.

• Blood tests: Blood tests are done to help find a good donor match, to check your priority on the donor list, and to help the chances that the donor organ will not be rejected.

• Diagnostic tests: Diagnostic tests may be done to check your kidneys as well as your overall health status. These tests may include X-rays, CT scan, ultrasound, kidney biopsy, and dental exams. Women may get a Pap test, gynecology evaluation, and a mammogram

• The transplant team will weigh all the facts from interviews, your medical history, physical exam, and tests to determine your eligibility for a kidney transplant in Kerala.

  Who is Eligible for a Kidney Transplant?

  A kidney transplant is usually the best treatment for kidney failure in patients who are fit enough for the operation. But the benefits must outweigh the risks.

  To have a kidney transplant:

• You must have long-term kidney disease

• You must be well enough to cope with major surgery

• You may not be eligible if you have:

• Current or recurring infection that cannot be treated effectively

• Cancer that has spread from its original location to elsewhere in the body

• Severe heart or other health problems that make it unsafe to have surgery

• Serious conditions other than kidney disease that would not get better after the transplant

• Failure to follow the treatment plan

  What is the procedure for a kidney transplant?

  Kidney transplant, also known as renal transplant, is broadly classified into three steps:

  1. Before Procedure:

  Before processing a kidney transplant in Kerala, regular blood test reports should be given to the hospital. Then the hospital searches if it has a matching donor or deceased donor's kidney available. Reports and tests are also performed on the donor to detect his blood type and other medical histories. As soon as a compatible kidney is available in the best kidney transplantation centre in Kerala, they conduct tests of patients like cardiovascular tests, abdominal ultrasound, and gynecological ultrasound. Before beginning the procedure, the patient is kept on fast for at least 10 to 12 hours.

  2. During Procedure:

  The procedure starts by giving general anesthesia to the patient. Then, an intravenous line is fixed for medications. An incision is made in the abdomen region almost 8 inches deep. The donor's kidney is connected by arteries, veins, and the urinary bladder. In most cases, the patient’s original kidneys are not removed and remain in place unless there is a medical reason to do so. Then, the incision is bandaged and closed.

  3. After Procedure:

  After the patient has undergone a kidney transplant, they are monitored closely for several days. Fluid levels are checked regularly, appropriate medications are administered, and a liquid diet is provided. The patient is advised to avoid strenuous activities and follow strict precautions for at least 60–90 days to support proper healing and reduce the risk of complications. Stitches are removed from the body after ten days.

  Recovery after Kidney Transplant

  On average, kidney transplant recovery time is about six weeks. This timeline is different for everyone, though. It depends on your overall health and other factors.

  It’s important to closely follow any instructions given by your healthcare provider for better recovery. Restrictions vary from person to person.

Here are some general guidelines:

• Avoid lifting heavy objects for at least eight weeks or longer after surgery.

• Ask your surgeon about physical limitations during your recovery, including what types of activities are safe for you and when.

• Avoid driving for at least six weeks following surgery. Plan ahead so a friend or family member can help out during this time.

• Avoid contact sports. They might cause injury to your transplanted kidney. If you have doubts about any activity, talk to your healthcare provider.

Kidney Transplantation at Believers Hospital

At Believers Church Medical College Hospital, a leading name among Kerala kidney transplant hospitals, we provide comprehensive kidney transplant in Thiruvalla backed by advanced technology and patient-first care. As one of the most trusted centres for renal transplant in Pathanamthitta, our hospital offers a full spectrum of services led by expert nephrologists, skilled transplant surgeons, anesthetists, and dedicated transplant coordinators.

A kidney transplant is not just a procedure — it’s a life-restoring journey. For those facing kidney failure, it offers hope, renewed strength, and an improved quality of life. At Believers Hospital Thiruvalla, widely regarded as the best kidney transplantation centre in Kerala, we ensure that each patient receives personalized evaluation, precise donor matching, and long-term follow-up care within our world-class facilities. With a compassionate approach and clinical excellence, we walk with you at every stage of your transplant journey — making us a preferred choice for those seeking the top nephrology hospital in Kerala.