The operation usually takes about three hours. Expect to feel groggy and sore as you would after any type of surgery. The IV and catheter will be removed in several days. Often, the recipient can be out of bed within a day or two. Many times, the new kidney begins to work right away.
Most patients can leave the hospital in one to three weeks.
To e successful, you will have to be monitored carefully and your medications adjusted. This involves blood tests several times a week just after the transplant. Before long, it will not be necessary for blood tests or doctor visits to be so frequent. However, you always will need to have your kidney function and medicines checked from time to time. Removal of your old kidneys is usually not necessary before or during a kidney transplant.