Many people feel that a successful kidney transplant offers a better quality of life than dialysis. A patient may undergo a kidney transplant operation when their own kidneys have declined below 20% function or have completely failed. During the surgery, they receive a new kidney, either from a living donor or a recently deceased donor. This new kidney will then begin cleaning the blood of waste and excess fluid. A kidney transplant requires close follow-up with your kidney doctors and medications to keep the kidney healthy.

Kidney transplants are transformative for both families and the patient. Patients with kidney failure who receive a transplant typically live longer than those on dialysis. They feel better, are more functional, and can participate more fully within society and families.

Our doctors believe strongly in the benefits of organ transplantation and have worked tirelessly to ensure that our patients have easy access to this life-saving therapy. At Richmond Nephrology Associates, we assist with the referral process to a transplant center for an evaluation or workup to see if you qualify for a transplant. To be considered for one, you must be evaluated at a transplant center. This is done to make sure that a kidney transplant is the best choice for you. The evaluation will be very thorough and may take several months to complete. You will meet with members of the transplant team, which may include a transplant surgeon, nephrologist, nurse coordinator, social worker, financial coordinator and dietitian. Your transplant team will need to know a lot about you to help them—and you—decide if a transplant is right for you. We will work closely with your transplant clinic to ensure you have everything you need for a thorough evaluation.

Each patient is different, but there are guidelines for deciding if you are a good candidate for a kidney transplant. We will work with you to prepare you for meeting with the transplant center, including administering initial tests. Since the transplant process can be long, Richmond Nephrology Associates will continue caring for patients during the evaluation process and until the transplant.