kidney transplantation is one option for treating patients with end-stage renal disease deciding to undergo transplantation is a decision between you your family and your physician and it requires careful thought to make sure it's right for you kidney transplantation means placing a healthy kidney into your body where it can perform all the functions that a failing kidney cannot in most cases the diseased kidneys located in the abdomen near the lower back are not removed the new kidney is positioned in the pelvic area where it is surgically connected to nearby blood vessels and the bladder kidneys for transplantation can come from living or deceased donors a living donor does not have to be a blood relative in fact donors are often spouses co-workers or friends the potential donors are tested to make sure they will donate a healthy kidney and that donating and living with one kidney does not pose undue risk to their own health deceased donor kidneys are obtained from people who have expressed their desire to be organ donors and whose family has consented all donors are screened carefully to prevent any transmissible disease throughout the entire transplantation process the cleveland clinic transplant team ensures that you receive the best possible care team members are with you each step of the way to guide you outline what you can expect and answer any questions you may have board certified nephrologists are kidney disease specialists who have training and experience in caring for kidney transplant patients and who monitor the medical care of transplant patients before and after their transplant surgery in addition to your nephrologist several other team members play a role in the transplant process including transplant coordinators urologic surgeons living kidney donor advocates social workers and financial coordinators the benefits of a successful kidney transplant are many a successful kidney transplant typically gives you more strength stamina and energy compared to dialysis after transplantation you should be able to return to a more normal lifestyle most importantly kidney transplantation is associated with a longer lifespan compared to staying on dialysis the risks of kidney transplantation are the same as those of any surgery such as bleeding infection or wound complications the transplant medications often have their own unique side effects which your team will review with you the required anti-rejection medications lower your body's immunity so you are more prone to infections if rejection of the kidney does happen it is treatable in the majority of cases if a kidney transplant is not successful the recipient can return to a regular dialysis schedule or possibly undergo another transplant because of years of experience research and improved medicines that prevent rejection kidney transplants are very successful and the preferred treatment for patients with kidney failure you