At Penn Medicine, we perform most kidney donation surgeries using a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. With laparoscopic surgery, you experience less pain, a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery. Before surgery, our team educates you so you know what to expect and feel prepared.
Kidney Donor Surgery: The Penn Medicine Difference
With decades of experience, our Living Donor Kidney Transplant program has the experience to make kidney donation surgery as smooth as possible. We pride ourselves on our:
- Surgical excellence: Our surgeons have a proven track record of success. We rank first in the region for transplant volumes and sixth in the Northeast. With over five decades of experience, our surgical outcomes are among the highest in the nation.
- Compassionate team: Our team members share a passion for their work and deep respect for our living donors. We strive to create a warm, caring environment where the team knows your name and takes your hand as you fall asleep before surgery. If you have any questions or concerns, our nurse coordinator is a familiar point of contact for you.
- Modern facilities: Penn Medicine's new hospital, The Pavilion, features private rooms for living donors and is equipped with the latest healthcare technology. For donors with complex kidney anatomy, we perform surgery robotically, using our state-of-the-art da Vinci® Surgical System.
- In-depth education: Throughout the donation process, our doctors and nurses provide comprehensive education to help you prepare for surgery and recovery. You'll receive personalized instructions for your follow-up care. After you leave the hospital, we are available if you experience any problems.
- Direct communication: Our 24/7 line leads directly to a staff member, not an answering service. You can also use the MyChart by myPennMedicine patient portal for secure communication with our staff. The portal is a quick way to check test results, ask a question or request an appointment.
Preoperative Visit
About a month before surgery, you meet the surgeon and complete pre-op testing. The surgeon explains the procedure and kidney donation recovery process and answers all your questions. Pre-op testing includes tests for infectious diseases and a final crossmatch test to confirm that your kidney is a good match for the recipient.
Kidney Donation Surgery: What to Expect
To prepare you for surgery, the surgical team will:
- Place an IV in your arm
- Give you anesthesia (medication so you are asleep during surgery)
- Place a Foley catheter (a thin, flexible tube) into your bladder to drain urine
During the laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes several small incisions and inserts a tiny camera and instruments into your abdominal cavity. The surgeon disconnects the kidney (usually your left) and removes it through a 3- to 4-inch incision at your pant line. The surgery takes about three hours.
Kidney Donation Recovery Process
After surgery, we transfer you to a private room. While you recover, we meet with you to review:
- What to expect when you get home
- Your follow-up plan
- How to reach us if something is wrong
Kidney donation surgery is not pain-free, but we give you medications to manage your pain, especially during the first few days after surgery. Most donors find they no longer need pain medication by the tenth day after surgery.
Fatigue is also very common in the weeks after surgery, but you should feel a little better every day. Within three to four weeks, most donors are back to work and most regular activities. Your doctor will recommend that you avoid heavy lifting for at least six weeks.
We schedule your postoperative visit for three weeks after surgery to check your incision, blood pressure and bloodwork. We then see you at six months and again at one and two years, if needed.
Life After Kidney Donation
Compared with people who did not donate a kidney, kidney donors have similar life expectancy and a similar or better quality of life.
With the exception of a few minor changes, your life should be the same after kidney donation. Your doctor will recommend you:
- Avoid contact sports
- Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Motrin®, Advil® and Aleve®
- Schedule annual routine appointments with your primary care provider to check your blood pressure and kidney function
- Talk to your OB/GYN if you plan to become pregnant
Though uncommon, kidney donors may experience depression, anxiety or stress. If this happens, let us know. We have one-on-one counseling or support groups to help you cope.
Learn more about living with one kidney.
Make an Appointment
Please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.