More about being a living donor
Many people do not realize that they may be medically qualified to donate a kidney to one of the more than 90,000 people in the United States currently waiting for a kidney. A kidney from a living donor not only allows the recipient to undergo a transplant much sooner, but also typically lasts longer than kidneys from deceased donors.
Although living kidney donation is becoming more common—a record 6,860 living donors donated a kidney in 2019—some people may hesitate to become a living donor because they have heard incorrect information about the kidney donation process.
Facts about living donation
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Donors can live a normal life after donation. Everyone is fully evaluated prior to allowing them to donate.
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Donors tend to live longer because they tend to take much better care of themselves post donation.
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A Kidney donor will be given prescriptions for pain meds at discharge from the hospital. A kidney donor does not have to take meds after the immediate post-op period.
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Kidney donors will be out of bed and walking independently before discharge from the hospital, approximately two days after surgery and are back to work within two weeks.
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The recipients insurance will pay all costs for screening, surgery, and after care with the exception of preventative cancer screenings.
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Donors should eat a healthy, well balanced diet, however there are no dietary restrictions following donation.
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Donors can consume alcohol in moderation.
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If by chance a donor were to have their own kidney issues later in life they will be a priority on donor lists usually lasting only days.
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Resources available to help living donors pay for travel expenses, lost wages, and dependent care through the National Living Donor Assistance Center. www.livingdonorassistance.org
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https://www.houstonmethodist.org/l/find-a-living-kidney-donor/