Kidney Transplant – UF Health

When you need a transplant, experience makes all the difference. UF Health Transplant Center is nationally recognized for its ability to provide hope and lifesaving treatments. If you have a medical condition such as chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease (often referred to as kidney failure), or type I diabetes, you can trust us to set the standard for transplant care.

Our center has more than 50 years of experience in performing kidney transplants, completing the first kidney transplant in Florida in 1966. We performed his first simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant in Florida in 1995. Our center is accredited by the Centers for Medicare. Medicaid Services (CMS), Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN), and Children’s Health Services.

Our multidisciplinary approach to care involves multiple team members with complementary skills working together to provide the best possible transplant care. While other institutions may follow kidney or pancreas transplant patients for several months after surgery, UF Health’s kidney transplant program continues to work with home physicians and hopes to follow them throughout their lives.

Our efforts are reflected in our outstanding results. In recent years, the UF Health Kidney Transplant Program has consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally on a variety of quality metrics by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). The most recent data released in January 2024 ranks UF Health second among kidney transplant programs.

kidney transplant services

Our kidney transplant team provides a customized approach to your care. We work together to thoroughly examine each transplant recipient and develop an individualized treatment plan based on their needs.

The UF Health Shands team closely follows patients while awaiting and post-transplant to help improve patient outcomes. While waiting for organ donation, you will undergo a comprehensive annual exam, including several up-to-date tests. This is because kidneys can become available at any time of the day or night, and you need to be physically prepared for emergency surgery.

kidney transplant surgery

During surgery, the donor kidney is connected to blood vessels in the lower abdomen. The surgeon also attaches a ureter (the tube that drains urine from the kidneys) to the bladder.

If everything goes well and your donated kidney is starting to function, you can expect to be in the hospital for a few days to a week after your kidney transplant. You will take anti-rejection drugs to reduce the risk of rejection and increase the chance that your donated kidney will function properly. Focus on recovery and learning about your new organ. Daily test results, urine output, and daily weight will be monitored to help the team adjust new implant medications.

Pancreas transplant service

For some patients with type 1 diabetes, a pancreas transplant may be recommended. A successful pancreas transplant reduces your dependence on insulin and allows you to return to a more normal life. If you have both diabetes and end-stage renal disease and are otherwise healthy, you may be able to have a pancreas and kidney transplant at the same time.

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