Transplant Assessment Clinic

You will be referred to the South West Transplant Assessment Clinic where a consultant in renal medicine and transplant surgery will discuss these issues with you in detail and emphasise what he/she thinks are of particular importance in your case.

Make a list of any questions that either you or your friends and relatives have about kidney transplant and make sure you understand the doctor’s (or the nurse specialist’s) answers. It is very important that you understand what you are letting yourself in for and that you are geared up for the consequences. Always remember though that kidney transplantation is commonplace nowadays and the chances of success are very high.

A successful transplant can remove the need for dialysis, enable you to eat and drink mostly what you like, improve your sex life, increase your fertility, make you feel fit and well and enable you to get on with your life at home and at work.

Are you physically fit?

In general, if you are not grossly overweight and you do not suffer from heart disease or lung disease, you should be fit for a major operation under general anaesthetic. If you do have any of these problems, it is likely that you will need to undergo some tests, which your consultant will organise. It may be possible for you to improve your fitness, for example by weight reduction. More information can be read in the South West Transplant Centre brochure. If you would like a copy, please call Linda Boorer Transplant Nurse Specialist Tel 01752 763438.