All donors are screened carefully to prevent any transmissible diseases. Whenever possible, the Cleveland Clinic encourages living donor transplants because of their high success rate. Another advantage of a living donor transplant is that it can be scheduled in advance. Some people may worry about the consequences of donating a kidney. However, a healthy person can donate a kidney safely without negatively affecting his or her own kidney function, general health, lifestyle or lifespan.
People can function as well with one healthy kidney as with two.
Throughout your entire transplantation process, your Cleveland Clinic Transplant Team ensures you receive the best possible care. Members of the team are there each step of the way to guide you, outline what you can expect and answer any questions you may have along the way. Your medical care will be monitored by a board-certified nephrologist, a kidney disease specialist who has training and experience in caring for kidney transplant patients. The Cleveland Clinic is different from many hospitals in the fact that instead of a general surgeon, a board-certified urologic surgeon, who has specialty training and experience in kidney transplantation, will perform your surgery. When you are admitted for your transplant, the urologic surgeon will meet with you to review the procedure and answer any questions you or your family may have.