How to Get Started and What to Expect During Your Kidney Transplant Journey
- Contact Us to Begin Your Journey
Reach out to us to start your kidney transplant journey. You can schedule a NetMeeting to learn whether you may benefit from our expertise. During this meeting, we will discuss the challenges of living donor kidney transplantation and ensure the safety of your loved ones. Our team will guide you through every detail, helping you take the first steps toward a successful transplant. - Send Your Medical Information
After your initial contact, please send us your detailed medical information. Review the list of required documents for both donor and recipient. Even if some tests are missing, you may share what you already have. For your privacy, we recommend uploading your documents through our secure website using our patient data protection system. - Online Consultation
You will have the opportunity to discuss the risks and benefits of transplantation for both you and your donor. We may request certain medical tests or consultations to be completed before you travel to Istanbul. - Remote Application to the Paired Exchange Program
If you wish to join the Paired Exchange Program without traveling to Istanbul, all pre-transplant evaluation tests and consultations must be completed in your home country before you can be listed. - Pre-Transplant Evaluation
The evaluation includes a series of tests for both the donor and the recipient. Once you arrive in Istanbul, we will complete all necessary tests and consultations. Completing some basic tests beforehand may reduce travel needs, but you may also choose to undergo the entire evaluation with us for faster access. - Transplant Surgery Process
When you arrive with your living donor, the pre-transplant evaluation usually takes 2 to 3 days. You may stay in the hospital or at a nearby hotel during this period. Completing blood and urine tests for both donor and recipient beforehand can help prevent delays or cancellations due to unexpected results. Our hospital team will support you throughout the surgery period, and we also provide airport pickup and hospital escort services to simplify your journey. For comfort and recovery, we recommend bringing a family member or friend to assist you after the procedure. - Immunologic Testing
If you have laboratory or clinical evidence of prior exposure to human tissue (HLA antigens)—such as from blood transfusions, pregnancy, or a previous transplant—you may require additional immunologic testing. High-resolution HLA typing and Single Antigen Bead Assay (Class I & II) are essential for assessing immunologic risks in these cases. - Transplant Surgery Procedure
Our team is highly experienced in complex kidney transplant cases, including patients with atherosclerosis, previous transplants, or enlarged cystic kidneys (polycystic kidney disease). The rate of healthy discharge with a functioning kidney is 99.8%. The safety and comfort of the living donor remain our highest priorities. We offer several surgical options for donors, including laparoscopic, retroperitoneoscopic, and robot-assisted techniques. For paired exchange transplants, surgeries are performed simultaneously and begin with both donors. Although our success rates are very high, kidney transplantation—like any surgery—carries risks such as bleeding, infection, or delayed graft function. Our team is equipped to manage these risks with advanced medical procedures and highly trained staff. - Postoperative Period
Recovery usually takes about two days. You will benefit from patient-controlled pain management and our Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for a smooth and comfortable recovery. Recipients are typically discharged 5 to 7 days after transplantation, while donors are discharged after 2 to 3 days. Donors may stay with the recipient after discharge if needed. We will provide prescriptions and assist you in obtaining your first month of medications. Most patients receive medication reimbursement, but long-term medications may also be purchased in Turkey at more affordable prices. - Transplant Education and Introduction to the Follow-Up Program
Before discharge, you will receive education on post-transplant lifestyle, a schedule of required tests, and detailed information about our follow-up program.
Long-Term Health with Our Post-Transplant Follow-Up Program
Nearly all patients leave the hospital after a successful kidney transplant. However, long-term graft survival is even more important. Our graft survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years—97.8%, 96%, 91.8%, and 89%—compare favorably with international averages and reflect the effectiveness of our comprehensive post-transplant management in supporting long-term positive outcomes.
