Back to Top

The kidney's failure to excrete and detoxify toxic substances causes harmful effects on the body. Other than expensive procedures such as dialysis, renal failure patient often seek kidney transplant in Turkey. 

Benefits of Choosing Kidney Transplant Turkey Clinic 

Turkey is one of the top destinations for medical tourism globally. Some of the reasons Turkey remains the ultimate destination for kidney transplants include: 

An Affordable Healthcare System

Turkey has one of the most affordable healthcare systems compared to other countries. Because kidney transplant in Turkey for foreigners costs less compared to European and North American-based clinics, making the country a top destination for renal failure patients. It is crucial noting that affordability does not compromise the quality of treatment. 

Highly Trained and Experienced Doctors in Turkey 

Turkey is one of the countries with the top medical schools and experienced healthcare specialists globally. Kidney transplant patients receive specialized treatment and healthcare, guaranteeing good outcomes. 

Turkey Is Well-Rounded In Terms Of Treatment Offerings

Some countries are famous for particular treatments only. But, Turkey is one of the medical treatment destinations where patients find all treatments, including hair transplants, dental treatment, mental health therapy, Bodylift surgeries, etc. 

Quality Hospitals and Clinics

You can some of the best hospital for kidney transplant in Turkey. The Turkish government follows the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) in improving its healthcare infrastructure. Besides, private clinicians invest heavily in improving their healthcare facilities. 

Quick Response 

Patients seeking kidney transplants in turkey receive quick responses to their inquiries. Despite being the most favorite destination for medical attention, patients rarely have to wait to see the doctor, let alone postpone their treatment. 

Kidney Transplant Cost in Turkey

Kidney transplant price in Turkey ranges between €18,000 and €23,000. The overall cost of kidney transplant in turkey differs based on multiple factors, such as doctor's experience, hospital/clinic charges, and the cost of finding a kidney donor in Turkey, among other factors.  

The Best Candidate for Kidney Transplant in Turkey

The ideal candidate for a kidney transplant in Turkey include patients who:

  • Are at the end stage/chronic renal failure patients 

  • Must not suffer any condition that would impair the kidney transplant surgery

  • Physical and mentally healthy

  • Alcohol-free for the past six months 

  • Willing to quit alcohol and smoking after the procedure 

  • Willing to comply with medical care following the procedure 

  • Ready to travel to Turkey for the Kidney transplant

The Next Steps If You Plan To Have Kidney Organ Transplant in Turkey

Here are the necessary steps when you plan to have your kidney transplant done in Turkey. 

  • Create a shortlist of different possible clinics for a kidney transplant and check online reviews and testimonials, so you understand what past patients say about these particular clinics. 

  • Before settling on a kidney transplant surgeon, read online reviews and testimonials of kidney transplant hospitals in turkey

  • Engage a professional healthcare consultant to help you find the best medical facilities for kidney transplant

  • Prepare a list of questions and concerns you would like the doctor to clarify before making up your mind about booking the procedure. 

  • Schedule an online consultation with the clinics or hospitals you plan to have the medical procedure done. During the talks, present your questions to the doctors. 

Kidney Transplant Clinics(21 Clinics)

SORTED BY:
Luna Clinic Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Luna Clinic Turkey Verified
  • Preliminary and follow-up examination
  • 98% would recommend
  • 1000+ operations last year
  • Internationally trained surgeons
Learn More
Please Inquire
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
Istanbul European Clinic
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul European Clinic Verified
  • 97% would recommend
  • Uses cutting-edge tech
  • Accredited by TSAPS (Turkish Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)
  • Well-equipped staff
Learn More
Please Inquire
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
Koç Healthcare Institutions
Istanbul, Turkey
Koç Healthcare Institutions Verified
  • Follows strict standards to deliver exceptional services
  • ISO 9001 Quality Management System
  • Founded in 1997
  • Internationally recognized surgeons
Learn More
Please Inquire
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
Memorial Atasehir Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Memorial Atasehir Hospital Verified
  • Accredited by JCI
  • Award-winning surgeons
  • High review rate
  • 7/24 working center
Learn More
Please Inquire
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
Acibadem Maslak Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Acibadem Maslak Hospital Verified
  • 90% would recommend
  • ISO 9001:2008 and JCI accreditations
  • Leed Gold Certified
  • 231 patient rooms
Learn More
Please Inquire
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
Memorial Antalya Hospital
Antalya, Turkey
Memorial Antalya Hospital Verified
  • Designed with modern medical technology
  • Uses the latest technology
  • Has 132 patient beds
  • Accredited by American College & JCI
Learn More
From
€30,980
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
Memorial Sisli Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Memorial Sisli Hospital Verified
  • Popular by international patients
  • 200 bed capacity
  • JCI-Certified
  • Has an advanced medical technology
Learn More
Please Inquire
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
Medipol Mega University Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Medipol Mega University Hospital Verified
  • One of Turkey's largest hospitals
  • Accredited by ISO, JCI and the TUV
  • High review rate
  • Online doctor consultations
Learn More
Please Inquire
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
Medical Park Gaziosmanpasa Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Medical Park Gaziosmanpasa Hospital Verified
  • Biggest private hospital in Istanbul
  • Advanced post-op care system
  • Internationally trained surgeons
  • JCI accredited clinic
Learn More
Please Inquire
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
Memorial Ankara Hospital
Ankara, Turkey
Memorial Ankara Hospital Verified
  • 42,000 square meters of closed area
  • 94% would recommend
  • Designed as a world-class hospital
  • JCI-Certified
Learn More
From
€30,980
Contact Clinic
Contact Clinic
You’ve viewed 10 of 21 clinics
LOAD MORE CLINICS
By Abdulaziz Ali - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hasan L. Lice, on Apr 24, 2023

What Is Kidney Transplant?

A kidney transplant is a transplant of a healthy kidney from a kidney transplant donor to the body of someone with end-stage kidney disease (the recipient). A kidney transplant is one of the most common and reliable organ transplantation procedures.

While dialysis is a more accessible alternative to chronic renal kidney failure, transplantation is the only treatment that allows patients to return to normal life.

Kidney transplantation allows you to find an almost normal life, without a strict diet or limitation of activity. Women can have a successful pregnancy, which is practically impossible with dialysis.

After a check-up to verify the indications and contraindications to the transplant, the candidate is registered on the waiting list of his or her transplant center

Kidney Transplant Treatment Recovery Time

The recovery time from a kidney transplant surgery is usually long, averaging between six months to a year. However, some patients might be able to resume their usual operations after a couple of months. You must be careful during the healing time to ensure proper recovery. 

How Kidney Transplant Procedure is Performed?

The kidney transplant procedure is performed under general anesthesia, which can take 4 to 5 hours. The kidney transplant surgeon will make an incision in the abdomen before attaching the donor kidney to the patient's veins and the arteries in the receiver's lower abdomen. Then, the surgeon will attach the ureter from the donor's kidney to the receiver's bladder. 

The surgeons wait until the new kidney acquires a stable blood supply and attaches it to the bladder, after which the kidney begins operating immediately. The surgeon then shuts the incision area, and the patient starts the recovery process from the kidney transplant. 

 

1. Consultation for Kidney Transplant

As in every process, you will take an online consultation to make sure that you’re a suitable candidate for kidney transplant surgery.

During this consultation, your complaints and story will be learned in detail and you will be asked if you have had any current health condition or any surgery that you have experienced before, as well as all of your tests and imaging results. Thus, we can better evaluate your case and prepare a customized treatment plan for you.

In light of all the information you provide, it will be decided whether you are eligible for this treatment and if you want to continue the process, the second phase will begin.

2. Planning Your Trip and Choosing the Clinic

This is the stage where you choose one of the clinics and doctors we offer you according to your needs, and also where we arrange the date and trip plan that suits you upon your preferred clinic/doctor.

3. Final Consultation with Your Surgeon

When you arrive at the clinic, you will have a face-to-face consultation with your kidney transplant surgeon. Everything about your surgery will be discussed between you and your surgeon during this consultation.

The surgeon will ask you some questions to try to understand your expectations and goals better and also make you understand what you should expect from your treatment and the potential risks or complications of the procedure. Certain medical conditions will determine whether a candidate can receive a transplant.

Various laboratory analyses will be performed to ensure the compatibility of the donor and the recipient. You will also decide together the individualized surgical and recovery plan that can be followed, especially during the first 24 to 48 hours after the surgery. The surgeon will explain the whole process clearly and try to simulate it as much as possible, for you to feel comfortable and well-prepared 

4. Medical Examinations

Before the surgery begins, your surgeon will conduct physical and blood tests to make sure that you are in acceptable health status for the surgery.

Before the transplant, a lymphocyte compatibility test is carried out in the laboratory, to verify that the patient does not have antibodies developed during a first transplant, a transfusion, or a pregnancy. These antibodies would be able to react against the graft and cause acute rejection.

5. Surgery

The surgery usually lasts about three hours. The surgeon makes an incision in the lower part of one side of your abdomen to transplant the new kidney into your body. 

The new kidney is introduced into the lower abdomen and connected to the bladder. The vessels are then sutured. The blood can then be filtered again by the kidney, which performs its purifying function. Sometimes it takes a few weeks for the kidney to start working again and dialysis must be continued during this time.

Some people have priority, especially people in emergencies, those for whom it is more difficult to find a compatible kidney (because they have developed antibodies or are of a rare group), and children.

What Should I Expect from Kidney Transplant?

A hospitalization of at least a week (sometimes more) is necessary after the intervention. The very demanding diet (without salt and potassium) necessary in the case of hemodialysis can be abandoned, but a healthy diet is essential, in particular avoiding very salty foods. After the first moments, the transplant recipient feels much better after the transplant.

Post-Transplant Follow-Up

  • After transplantation, children and adolescents return to normal growth. Transplant recipients can also resume normal academic, professional, and social activities.
  • Immunosuppressive therapy, with two or three drugs, is essential to avoid the rejection of the transplanted kidney. This risk is greatest during the first six months or the first year (10 to 30% of acute rejection, most of which can be controlled). Thereafter, the immunosuppressive treatment can generally be reduced, depending on the results, but it will have to be taken throughout life.
  • This treatment reduces the body's defenses against infections and can promote the development of certain tumors. Also, kidney transplantation is not offered to people who have had cancer recently, to avoid accelerating a relapse, in case cancer cells persist. Also, the treatment is not always well supported by the kidney and increases cardiovascular risks.
  • People with transplants must, therefore, have a healthy lifestyle with healthy food and regular physical activity. Some patients may likely be able to stop immunosuppressive therapy without rejecting their transplant. Studies are being carried out to try to identify biological criteria that would make it possible to determine the individuals who can do without immunosuppressive therapy for life.
  • Regular check-ups to check that the transplanted kidney is working well, to detect signs of rejection, and to check for possible side effects of the drugs are necessary throughout life. People who have a transplant should quickly tell their doctor about anything that might suggest an infection or rejection, such as fever, pain at the site of the transplanted kidney, or urinary problems.

Side Effects and Complications of Kidney Transplant Surgery

Like other surgery operations, kidney transplant patients might experience some surgery-related complications, including: 

  • Infection in the surgery area
  • Kidney transplant refusal 
  • Ulceration on the abdominal
  • Gastrointestinal inflammation 

Patients might also experience pain, discomfort, and weakness after the procedure. If the side effects persist, the patient should contact the surgeon for medical attention. 

Kidney Transplant Surgery Results

Kidney transplant surgery has a success rate of 90%. Therefore, the procedure can lengthen the patient's life. However, there have been few cases of kidney refusal where surgeons recommend alternative treatments. 

How To Prepare For a Kidney Transplant?

Avoid smoking when preparing for the kidney transplant, and do not use blood thinners. Also, some patients need to lose weight before starting a kidney transplant. 

Quick Facts 

Procedure

 Kidney Transplant

Duration

 3 - 4 hours 

Cost in Turkey

 €18,000 - €23,000

Anesthesia

 General anesthesia 

Recovery

 3 - 4 weeks

Final Results

 After 8 weeks 

Side Effects

 Bleeding, high blood pressure

Risks

 Blood clots, infection

Success Rate

 90%

Exercise

 After 8 weeks (light activity)

Back To Work

 After 8 weeks 

Scars

 Yes

Pain

 Yes 

Related Procedures

 Dialysis

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Turkey good for kidney transplants?

Turkey is the top destination for kidney transplant surgery. Patients enjoy high-quality healthcare throughout the procedure, and the cost is affordable. 

What country has the most kidney transplants?

Spain has the most significant number of kidney transplants. However, most patients travel to Turkey, the leading medical tourism country. 

How long is recovery after a kidney transplant?

The recovery time from a kidney transplant procedure is usually long, averaging between six months to a year.

Can I live with one kidney?

Yes! Most people live an everyday life even when they have a single kidney. However, ensuring you stay healthy and protect your only kidney is essential. 

Why Do Kidney Transplant Patients Receive Immunosuppressive Therapy?

You should take immunosuppressant (anti-rejection) medications not only for the kidney but after any organ transplant procedure. Because these drugs help prevent your immune system from rejecting (attacking) the donor organ.

Usually, this therapy is taken for a lifetime to avoid complications and to ensure that the transplanted kidney works well for a long time.

What If The Transplanted Kidney Stops Working?

When the transplanted kidney stops working, dialysis becomes essential again, but the patient can again be a candidate for a transplant. The transplanted kidney is not necessarily removed. The average lifespan of a graft is a dozen years, which requires several transplants in a lifetime.