Back to Top

The Benefit of Kidney Transplant Abroad 

A kidney transplant is a major procedure with many external factors. The procedure is time-sensitive, and the donor's health condition contributes to the success rate of Kidney transplant abroad. Many patients might travel abroad to receive a kidney transplant to avoid the waitlist.

Some countries might have a bad reputation because of their kidney transplant practices, giving them the name "transplant tourism." In these countries, the patient can pay for the kidney. Also, the surgeons will lack the proper expertise to perform the surgery, thus causing complications and infections.

But in popular medical destinations, government and international medical institutions regulate the laws of kidney transplant surgery, making the procedure safer for international patients. Some of the benefits you can experience from a Kidney transplant abroad include:

You get access to superior patient care services

Most doctors usually see their patients once a month. So, an average doctor spends fewer than seven minutes with a patient. Ultimately, this means that patients don't experience good patient care services from their doctors.

On the other hand, if you travel abroad to receive treatment, you can expect to be treated with care and respect when you go for a kidney transplant abroad. The surgeons in these reputable hospitals take time to talk to patients.

You have access to innovative treatment options 

Traveling abroad to have a kidney transplant will open other possibilities or introduce a better, more effective treatment. 

Renowned clinics and hospitals are regulated by international bodies 

The surgeons are highly experienced with years of practice. Their clinics are accredited by recognized institutions like Joint Commission International JCI and the International Organization for Standardization ISO. Most clinics must apply for accreditation and renew it annually.

Affordability doesn't compromise the quality of the treatment 

The quality isn't compromised for affordability. The surgeons have years of experience. Some of them have credentials from prestigious global universities. The standard of care and expertise in these clinics abroad is as good as those in the UK, US, and Europe, if not better.

Doctors abroad speak and communicate in English 

Some patients might hesitate to consider having the treatment abroad because of language or cultural barriers. But in medical tourism destinations like Turkey, Hungary, and Poland, doctors regularly serve international patients. They can communicate in good English.

Some doctors had their training abroad, which explains their good English proficiency. Also, their clinics have assistants who communicate in English.

Tips For Choosing The Best Kidney Transplant Hospital Abroad 

  • Create a shortlist of possible clinics abroad:  research the clinic you plan to visit overseas for your treatment. Most reputable clinics will have an official website, and you can examine the doctor's expertise, reviews, and credentials. 

  • Check the local regulation: It is essential to know how the treatment is regulated in your chosen country. This will help you identify reputable clinics registered with the governing body or national association. It will also tell you about your rights.

  • Prepare a list of questions for your doctor: prepare a list of questions to ensure you receive quality treatment. Common questions to ask - do they provide a translator? Do they have patients' testimonials? Is the clinic registered with the national association?

  • Trust your instincts:  This personal element should not be underestimated since the treatment can be quite traumatic for many people, mainly when undertaken in a foreign country and in unfamiliar surroundings. For this reason, you should trust your instincts as much as the raw data. If a clinic feels wrong, then walk away.

  • Verify the surgeon's experience. Ask about the surgeon's education, additional fellowship training, and how many times they performed the treatment. 

  • Schedule an online consultation. Most clinics or hospitals that work with international patients offer this service. 

  • Research the condition of the clinic before booking. It's recommended to visit the clinic before booking and finalizing the procedure. Talk to the staff and past patients if possible. 

Ideal Candidate for Kidney Transplant Abroad  

Patients who have end-stage chronic renal failure and do not have any condition or disease that would impair the kidney transplant surgery.

Kidney Transplant Cost Abroad

The factors that affect the kidney transplant price abroad are the location of the hospital, the surgeon's experience, the technique used, and the type of treatment.

Country Estimated Cost
UK

€21,000 per transplant *With NHS Aid

USA

€140,000 *without insurance

Turkey

€18,000 - €23,000

Australia

€57,000 per transplant

Learn more about Kidney Transplant in Turkey by comparing costs and reviewing the clinics and doctors.

Kidney Transplant Clinics(3 Clinics)

SORTED BY:
Medical Park Antalya Hospital
Antalya, Turkey
Medical Park Antalya Hospital Verified
  • ISO 9001 Certified
  • Over %95 effective result rate
  • Uses the latest technology
  • Premium facility
Learn More
Please Inquire
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
Medical Park Ankara Hospital
Ankara, Turkey
Medical Park Ankara Hospital Verified
  • Well-equipped staff
  • Advanced diagnosis and treatment methods
  • 158 beds
  • Award-winning surgeons
Learn More
Please Inquire
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
Medical Park Goztepe Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Medical Park Goztepe Hospital Verified
  • 293 patient beds
  • JCI accredited
  • Over %90 effective result rate
  • Located in the heart of the city
Learn More
Please Inquire
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
You’ve viewed 3 of 3 clinics
By Abdulaziz Ali - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hasan L. Lice, on Apr 24, 2023

A kidney transplant operation is not suggested for patients experiencing a liver, heart, or lung illness. Kidney transplantation is not suggested for patients smoking excessively or experience morbid obesity because they have an increased risk of complications arising from the kidney transplant operation.

How Many Trips Do I Need For Kidney Transplant Abroad? 

You will need 1 trip abroad to complete the whole procedure and follow up with your local doctor. 

How Long Will Kidney Transplant Surgery Take?

Kidney transplant surgery takes 3 to 4 hours.

What To Avoid Before Kidney Transplant Surgery? 

Patients have to quit smoking beforehand of the kidney transplantation operation. Also, blood thinners should be avoided. Some patients may need to lose weight before the kidney transplant can start.

How Is Kidney Transplant Surgery Performed? 

The kidney transplant operation is carried out under general anesthesia and often lasts 3 or 4 hours to finish. The surgeon will make an incision in the abdomen area and then will start attaching the donor kidney to the veins and arteries in the receiver’s lower abdomen. The ureter will then be attached from the donor's kidney to the receiver’s bladder.

After the new kidney acquires a stable supply of blood and is attached to the bladder, it will begin operating immediately, generating urine. The incision area is then shut with sews, and the patient may start their recovery process from a kidney transplant.

During the recovery period of a kidney transplant, the patient will be prescribed immunosuppressant drugs, which cease the recipient’s immune system from refusing the new kidney. Patients generally remain in for about 5 to 7 days in the hospital. The new kidney will begin functioning at full potential about 5 to 10 days after the renal transplant.

Patients have to stay away from green teas, pomegranate, or grapefruit since these foods are recognized as interacting negatively with the kidney transplantation operation.

Possible Kidney Transplant Surgery Complications 

Complications of a kidney transplant can involve:

  • Infection

  • Proteinuria

  • Kidney transplant refusal happens in 10 to 15% of renal transplant patients throughout the initial 2 months after the kidney transplant operation. In such a situation, medicinal changes or alternative treatments are necessary.

  • Ulceration of the abdominal

  • Gastrointestinal inflammation

  • Transplant refusal – chronic, acute, or hyperacute

Patients can experience pain, discomfort, and a sense of weakness after the renal transplant operation. The patient’s immune system would require to be suppressed and this can result in additional health issues.

Kidney Transplant Surgery Success Rate

A 90% success rate is seen, 5 years after the renal transplant is done.

Kidney transplantation can lengthen the life of people experiencing a final-phase renal illness. Patients with renal transplants generally live 10 to 15 years longer than patients who remain on dialysis.

Mostly, younger kidney transplantation patients experience a more significant increase in longevity. Patients generally have more energy, less limited diets, and struggle with fewer health difficulties after a kidney transplant operation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What can I do to avoid transplant refusal after a renal transplant?

Patients need to follow the immunosuppressant drug plan thoroughly in order to avoid kidney transplant refusal. Even if the new kidney is healthy, it doesn’t mean it cannot get diseased if the renal transplant patient has an unhealthy lifestyle.

What is a perfect match kidney?

A perfect match is when there is a degree of kinship between the donor and the receiver – e.g. a brother or a sister.

If I get a new kidney through a kidney transplant procedure, will the diseased kidney be removed?

The diseased kidney will not be removed during the renal transplant procedure – it can result in more medical complications.