People lead healthy lives with one kidney. After kidney donation, your remaining kidney will increase in size and take over the whole job of filtering your blood.
Health outcomes for living donors are excellent and 99 percent of donors say they would recommend living kidney donation. Some people have even found their quality of life increases, knowing they've saved a life.
At Penn Medicine, we conduct a thorough kidney donor evaluation to make living kidney donation as safe as possible so you can live long and enjoy the people and things you love.
Living with One Kidney: The Penn Medicine Difference
Our care and support for kidney donors doesn't stop after surgery. We help you live safely and successfully with one kidney through our:
- World-class team: As leaders in the field of living kidney donation, Penn researchers participate in clinical trials and national transplant initiatives. Through our work to better understand donor risks and improve surgical safety, we improve long-term outcomes for our patients.
- Donor-focused care: We place donors at the center of everything we do. We strive to understand and meet donors' needs throughout the donation process and into the future.
- Thorough evaluation: Before you can donate a kidney, we assess your physical, social and mental health. Ensuring you're in top shape before donation reduces your risk of problems during surgery, recovery and beyond.
- Support services: Our mentor program links potential donors with past Penn donors for guidance and emotional support. Penn Medicine also offers monthly kidney transplant support group meetings for pre- and post-transplant patients, living donors and caregivers. Penn kidney donation partners, including the National Kidney Registry and National Kidney Donation Organization, also offer information and support for potential donors.
- Long-term follow-up: We're here with follow-up care and assistance for as long as you need us. You can reach us through our 24/7 patient line or the MyChart by myPennMedicine patient portal.
Life After Kidney Donation: Staying Healthy
After you donate a kidney, the remaining kidney increases in size and function. As part of your long-term follow-up care, your doctor will want you to maintain your good health by:
- Drinking plenty of water
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
In addition to these steps, your doctor will recommend that you avoid:
- Contact sports: Sports such as football, hockey, boxing, soccer, martial arts and wrestling could injure your kidney, even if you wear protective equipment. Talk to your doctor about how to stay safe if you want to play a contact sport.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These are over-the-counter pain relievers like Motrin®, Advil® and Aleve®. NSAIDs can damage your kidney, so it's best to avoid them. Talk to your doctor about pain relievers that are safe for you.
Becoming Pregnant After Kidney Donation
Before donation, your evaluation team will discuss your risks if you are pregnant when donating. Kidney donors may have a small increased risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, so you should be monitored closely during pregnancy. After donation, talk to your OB/GYN if you are planning a pregnancy.
Two Sisters Become Kidney Donors and Form the 1 Kidney Club
Sisters Amy and Ann-Marie are both living kidney donors, each thriving with only one kidney. Their passion for kidney donation inspired them to form the 1 Kidney Club to educate others. Read Amy and Ann-Marie's story.
Routine Medical Care
Regular check-ups with your primary care provider are important to monitor your kidney and overall health. Tests your doctor will use to check your kidney function include:
- Blood pressure: This test measures the pressure in your blood vessels. Increased blood pressure can damage your kidneys, if not treated.
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR): This is a measure of how well your kidneys are filtering blood.
- Urine protein test: This test looks for protein in the urine. Usually, protein stays in the blood. When a kidney is damaged, proteins will escape into the urine.
Kidney Failure After Donation
The risk of kidney failure after donation is very low. If this does happen, the National Kidney Registry's Donor Shield program offers you protection. You will receive prioritization for a living donor kidney transplant.
Kidney Donation Follow-Up Care at Penn Medicine
You follow up with our living kidney donor team three weeks after surgery and again at six months. Some patients have additional appointments at one and two years. For convenience, patients can attend most of these appointments via telemedicine or at a Penn satellite location.
After you complete your formal follow-up care, we are still available if you need us. You can reach us through our 24/7 line or the MyChart by myPennMedicine patient portal if you have any questions or concerns.
Patient Perspectives of Living with One Kidney
To better understand living donation and what life is like living with one kidney, read our patient stories or watch the Penn Transplant Institute Education Session: The Living Donor Experience.
Make an Appointment
Please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.