All About Organ Transplant Surgery
In many cases, patients with severe organ failure reach the point where they need to consider organ transplant surgery. An organ transplant is a life-saving procedure, but receiving a new organ is a process, and it can be complicated. Once your physician has made the diagnosis of organ failure, he will need to refer you to an organ transplant center, a medical facility that performs the type of transplant that you require. Transplant centers vary in what types of organ transplants they perform, so the closest center may not be the center to which you are referred.
The Organ Transplant Waiting List
Once you have been referred to a transplant center, the process of evaluating your health and determining if you meet the criteria to be placed on the waiting list for an organ transplant.
Getting on the Transplant Waiting List
If you are listed for transplant, you may want to consider being listed at more than one transplant center. Multiple listings carry additional fees, but in some cases can increase the likelihood of receiving an organ. This is especially true if you are able to be listed at two centers that are in different regions, as the United Network for Organ Sharing divides the United States into geographical areas that play a role in how organs are allocated.
Living Related Organ Donation
In some cases, a family member or friend is both able and willing to provide an organ for transplant. This type of organ donation is called Living Related Organ Donation, even though a small percentage of living donors are not related to the person to whom they are donating.
Paying For Organ Transplant Surgery
Part of the process for being placed on the waiting for an organ, or beginning the living related organ donation process is proving that you can afford a transplant, including the surgical procedure, the hospitalization after the surgery and medication and treatment after the procedure. A person does not need to be wealthy in order to afford a transplant, even though the procedure may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.How to Pay For an Organ Transplant
Heart Failure and Heart Transplants
Once a patient is diagnosed with severe heart disease that will lead to Heart Failure, a patient may be considered for a Heart Transplant. While waiting for a transplant, a patient may have need surgery to place an LVAD, a balloon pump or another Device to Temporarily Improve Heart Function.
Heart Transplant Surgery Images
Kidney Failure, Dialysis and Kidney Transplants
Kidney patients are one of the few types of transplant recipients who can receive treatment that replaces the function of the organ that is damaged. Causes of Kidney Failure vary, but Dialysis allows patients in kidney failure to tolerate the wait for a organ. Kidney transplants are by far the most commonly needed and transplanted organ, with over 70,000 people currently waiting for a new kidney. Kidney Transplant Surgery
Kidney Transplant Surgery Images
Diabetes and Pancreas Transplants
The most common reason for a pancreas transplant is Type 1 Diabetes that is difficult to manage and control. In some patients, insulin, diet and exercise does not control blood glucose levels, regardless of how diligent the patient is in following the doctor’s instructions. For these patients, a Pancreas Transplant may be the only solution. In fact, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to kidney damage, so a pancreas transplant may actually prevent the need for a kidney transplant in the future.Pancreas Transplant Surgery Images
Diabetes and Organ Transplantation
Liver Disease and Liver Transplants
Hepatitis, Alcoholism Induced Cirrhosis and idiopathic (non-alcoholic) cirrhosis, are among the leading causes of liver failure. For these conditions and many others that cause liver failure, a Liver Transplant is often the only option for treatment.Liver Transplant Surgery Images
Lung Disease and Lung Transplants
COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the most common disease process that leads to lung failure and the need for a Lung Transplant. Lung transplant patients may receive only one lung, or with some conditions such as cystic fibrosis, two lungs may be transplanted.Multivisceral Organ Transplants
A multivisceral organ transplant is a type of transplant surgery that includes more than one organ, such as a Heart/Lung Transplants, a heart/kidney transplant or a kidney/pancreas transplant.
In pediatric patients, multivisceral transplants are typically heart/lung or a combination that includes a small intestine transplant.
After an Organ Transplant
Coping After an Organ Transplant isn’t always easy, even though the long awaited organ transplant has finally happened. There are worries about Organ Rejection, the side effects of transplant medications like Gout and weight gain. There are also very emotional topics like writing the family of the organ donor and considering the future of beloved pets.Will My Pet Make Me Sick After My Transplant?
Long-term concerns regarding illnesses that can be passed from donor to recipient, such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV), cancer, and in extremely rare circumstances, HIV are common among recipients.
Organ receipients may want to find a support group, either through the organ transplant center they use for their healthcare, in their hometown or online. Many receipients struggle with writing a letter to the family of their donor, not being able to find the right words to express their thanks.
Organ recipients should also be aware that they are able to be organ donors, and may want to join the donor registry in their home state.
Commit to Be An Organ Donor-By State
Sources: UNOS--The United Network For Organ Sharing http://www.unos.org Transplant Living, a Division of UNOS. TransplantLiving.org
