The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Kidney transplant
Treatment for people with kidney failure
End-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) or kidney failure is the most common reason for needing a kidney transplant
About your kidneys
The kidneys filter waste from the blood and convert it into urine. Otherwise waste products build up, which can be life threatening.
Dialysis can partially replicate kidney function but it can be inconvenient and time consuming — making a kidney transplant the ideal treatment for kidney failure.
Need to know
A kidney transplant usually takes around three hours and has three stages.
1. A cut is made in your lower abdomen through which the donated kidney is put in place. Your own kidneys will be left where they are unless they're causing pain or infection.
2. Nearby blood vessels are attached to those of the donated kidney.
3. The ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder) of the donated kidney is connected to your bladder.
A stent (a small plastic tube) may be inserted into the ureter to aid urine flow and is usually removed 4‒6 weeks later. The cut in your abdomen will be closed with surgical staples, stitches or surgical glue.
You'll be assessed to determine if you're suitable for kidney transplantation. Following a successful assessment you will be admitted into hospital.
At the hospital, you'll be assessed to ensure you have no new medical conditions.
Tests will also be done to ensure the donor kidney is suitable for you. Once this is confirmed, you'll be given general anaesthetic and taken to the operating theatre.
At the hospital, you'll be assessed to ensure you have no new medical conditions.
Tests will also be done to ensure the donor kidney is suitable for you. Once this is confirmed, you'll be given general anaesthetic and taken to the operating theatre.
You will feel some pain upon waking ‒ painkillers can be provided.
You'll also be put on immunosuppression therapy immediately to prevent rejection of the new kidney.
Most transplanted kidneys work immediately but some may take several days to work properly. Dialysis may be needed during this time.
Most people leave hospital in a week but you'll need to attend frequent check-ups to assess your kidney function and to ensure your medications are working.
For the first few weeks, you'll have two to three appointments a week, subsiding to once every few months after a year.
You should be able to resume work and normal activities within a few months.
You'll also be put on immunosuppression therapy immediately to prevent rejection of the new kidney.
Most transplanted kidneys work immediately but some may take several days to work properly. Dialysis may be needed during this time.
Most people leave hospital in a week but you'll need to attend frequent check-ups to assess your kidney function and to ensure your medications are working.
For the first few weeks, you'll have two to three appointments a week, subsiding to once every few months after a year.
You should be able to resume work and normal activities within a few months.
Our Kidney transplant locations
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road SK9 1NY Wilmslow
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
HCA Healthcare UK at University College Hospital
Grafton Way Building, 1 Grafton Way WC1E 6AG London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Chiswick Outpatients
Bond House 347-353 Chiswick High Road W4 4HS London
London Digestive Centre
41 Welbeck Street W1G 8EA London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.