FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions!

I have gotten a lot of similar questions so I will continually update this post with questions that I get asked. Obviously I'm no doctor, so you should consult with your own physician on specific medical questions but from my own experience here is what I know:

1. How much does this cost?

• All the testing is covered by the recipient's insurance. If I ended up not being a match and unable to donate then the University of Utah covers the costs of any of the testing that I had done. The actual surgery is covered by the recipients insurance. What is not covered is any housing, transportation, child-care (if needed). I live in Utah where the surgery will take place, but if the surgery was going to be out of state, I would cover the cost of the hotel, transportation getting there. You do need to stay in the place you had the surgery for a week or two to recover and for post op. follow up appointments.

2. Do you have a special diet after?

• No! There are no restrictions in regards to eating. Just to eat a healthy, well balanced diet. You should stay away from a high salt foods. Salt leads to high blood pressure and is a risk to your kidney. But you need to DRINK DRINK DRINK. You have one kidney now, so you need to make sure that you stay hydrated to keep it working optimally for you. 

3. Anything you can't do after?

• You should stay away from contact sports to protect your only kidney (ie. football, boxing) They do have these special protective vests you should wear if you are doing things like wake boarding, snowboarding. You should refrain from taking ibuprofen, as it is hard on your kidneys. Tylenol will be your new friend. 

4. Will this affect your ability to have kids?

• Nope! You should wait 1 full year from donation before having kids. Your body is adjusting to working with one kidney and at one year your body should be fully adjusted. Your remaining kidney actually grows in size to compensate for the loss of the other kidney (how cool is that!) But there are no effects with becoming pregnant. You will want to make sure that you consult with your doctor and make them aware that you have one kidney, as to watch for high blood pressure.

5. How do they choose who to test for possible matching?

• I can only speak in regards to the University of Utah and their process. But with each patient needing a transplant they will be testing and evaluating two possible donors at once. 1 person who is the same blood type and one who would be able to do a paired matching. Everyone else who filled out the initial medical questionnaire is put on hold until 1 or 2 of the people they are currently testing don't match. I was the first person that they chose to begin testing with for my dad, as I am his child with the same blood type, making me a very optimal match. 

6. Can you sell your kidney?

• No. You can not accept any form of monetary wealth in exchange for your kidney. This includes cash, having them pay off any sort of loans past, present or future or gifts. Donating your kidney is a big decision and one that should be made willingly and without persuasion. 

7. Do they remove the recipients kidneys that aren't working?

• Nope. The recipient usually does not have their failing kidney's removed. So my dad will have 3 kidneys and I will have 1. I believe they are putting the donated kidney tucked behind my dad's hip bone. My remaining kidney will grow a little in size to compensate the loss of the other kidney. Once my donated kidney leaves my body, it will never be returned, even in the rare case that my dad's body rejects it.  

If you have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments and I will continually update this section!