Kidney Donation Surgery and Recovery

The standard surgical approach for removing a donor kidney is called “Donor Nephrectomy”. This approach is typically a minimally invasive one, via laparoscopy, allowing for a smaller incision, minimal scarring and a quicker recovery period. The procedure is done under general anesthesia. 

After anesthesia is administered, the surgeon will make small incisions in your abdomen for insertion of the laparoscopic instruments in order to execute all the necessary steps to remove your kidney safely. The surgery typically lasts about one and a half to two hours.

Hospital stay:  After surgery, you will be taken to the post anesthesia care unit where you will be closely monitored for a few hours before transferring to our designated transplant unit.  There, you will be care for by an experience multidisciplinary team.  Some pain and discomfort are to be expected but you will be given medication to help with this.  Before leaving the hospital, you will be encouraged to walk and eat. Donors can expect to remain in the hospital for one-two days. 

At home: By the time you are ready to go home, you should start feeling noticeably better. However, you potentially could feel a little more tired than usual for up to several weeks.  You should shower daily, wash incision site with soap and water, and pat dry. You should eat a normal, healthy diet to improve healing.  The complete healing period may be approximately six weeks but most donors are feeling back to their old selves within two weeks. 

Donors must not lift greater than 10lbs for six weeks after surgery and are encouraged to resume normal activity as tolerated, making sure you stay active.  Depending on the type of work you do, you can expect to be out of work for two to six weeks.