Your initial visit
You will meet with members of the transplant team, including a nephrologist, surgeon, social worker, and dietitian.
The transplant team will talk with you so they can start to evaluate your medical and surgical readiness for a transplant. They will also check on your mental, emotional, and social wellbeing and let you know if more testing is needed.
In your initial visit, it is helpful for you to:
- Show that you are ready to learn about the evaluation process and kidney transplants
- Share all of your medical conditions and medicines
- Bring your list of questions
After your initial visit
After the initial visit, the transplant team will decide if you can continue with evaluation:
- If they think a kidney transplant is appropriate for you, you will continue to the testing part of evaluation
- If they think a transplant would have more risks than possible benefits for you, they will tell you why they do not think you should continue in the transplant process at this time
Tip: If the team decides that a transplant is not appropriate for you, you can seek a second opinion at another transplant center of your choice.
Evaluation testing
If you are approved to continue with transplant evaluation, the team will tell you about the testing you will get before they place your name on the transplant waiting list. You must get some of the tests, while others are recommended but not required.
Evaluation testing may include:
- Lab tests, such as blood or urine (pee) tests
- Imaging of your abdomen (belly area) and heart, such as with CT scans or MRIs
- Stress test of your heart, such as measuring your blood pressure while you walk on a treadmill
- Cancer screening based on your age and sex, such as a colonoscopy
Try to complete this testing without delay. If you take too long, the transplant team may think you are not interested in a transplant.
Tip: If you have problems getting any of your tests, such as trouble with transportation, call the transplant center right away. They can help you complete the testing.
After evaluation testing
Once testing is complete, the transplant team will do a full review of your information and test results. They will decide if it is appropriate to place your name on the waiting list for a donor kidney.
If the team decides you are a good candidate for a transplant, they will also ask if you know relatives, friends, or other people in your community who might be willing to donate one of their kidneys to you. Getting a kidney from a living person, called living kidney donation, may shorten the time you have to wait for a transplant.
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