Pre-Surgery

Becoming a Candidate

A wide range of information is needed to determine whether you are eligible for transplant. Our team will guide you through the evaluation process. The team includes a transplant surgeon, a transplant physician specializing in the area of your condition, one or more transplant nurses, a social worker, a dietician, and a psychiatrist or psychologist. You may also see other physician specialists who concentrate in transplantation.

The transplant evaluation process will include, but is not limited to:

• Psychological and social evaluation. A transplant will impact your life in many ways. Psychological, social and emotional issues such as stress, financial issues, and support by family and/or significant others can significantly impact the outcome of a transplant. Our team will discuss these life areas with you to help determine your eligibility. Living donors participate in this same evaluation.

• Blood tests. You will undergo blood tests to help determine a good donor match, assess your priority on the donor list, and to help improve the chances that the donor organ will not be rejected.

• Diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests may be performed to review your overall health status and that of your other organs. These tests may include X-rays, ultrasound procedures, biopsies, and dental examinations. Women may receive a Pap test, gynecology evaluation, and a mammogram.

The transplant team will consider all information from interviews, your medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests to determine if you are eligible for a transplant.

Once you have been accepted as a transplant candidate, you will be placed on the recipient list. When a donor organ becomes available, you will be notified and told to come to the hospital immediately.

If you are to receive an organ from a living family member (living-related transplant), the transplant may be performed at a planned time. The potential donor must have a compatible blood type and be in good health. A psychological test will be conducted to ensure the donor is comfortable with the decision.

Before Transplant Surgery

We want to ensure that you are prepared and confident going into your surgery. Prior to your transplant:

• You will spend one-on-one time with your physician who will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you might have including those about post-transplant medications and living with your transplant

• You will need to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the surgery. Please read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.

• If you have been on routine dialysis before the procedure, you will receive dialysis prior to the procedure.

• For a planned living transplant, you should fast for eight hours before the operation, generally after midnight. In the case of a cadaver organ transplant, you should begin to fast once you are notified that an organ has become available.

• You may receive a sedative before the procedure to help you relax.

• Based on your medical condition, your physician may request other specific preparation.