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What does the kidney do?
The two kidneys filter all process fluid and break down products of the body's metabolism. They also assist in the production of vitamin D and exxxxx, a protein necessary to produce hemoglobin for red blood cells.
What does the pancreas do?
The pancreas produces insulin, a protein needed to control blood sugar levels.
Where is Mayo ranked compared to other transplant centers?
Historically, Mayo Clinic has had some of the highest kidney and pancreas transplant survival rates of any major transplant center in the world. For more details, see Volumes and Statistics.
Are there age restrictions for kidney and pancreas transplant recipients?
There are no strict age restrictions for kidney and pancreas transplant recipients; however, patients over 65 years must be in relatively good health other than the kidney disease for which they are undergoing a transplant.
Will insurance cover a transplant?
Mayo Clinic Hospital works with many insurance companies. In most cases, our financial
coordinators are able to work with insurance companies to secure transplant coverage.
However, coverage varies by provider and policy. Patients who are concerned about their insurance should request a meeting with the transplant financial coordinator when scheduling an appointment.
How much does the evaluation cost if I don't have insurance and I want to pay out of pocket?
This will vary from person to person and depends on the complexity of the patient's treatment. Mayo Clinic's charges are competitive with other large medical centers. Please contact us for an estimate.
How much does a transplant cost?
Again, this will vary from person to person. Please contact us; we can provide an individualized estimate.
Will Mayo Clinic re-transplant patients with a recurrent diseasesuch as focal segmental glomerolosclerosis?
Each patient is considered on a case-by-case basis. Mayo Clinic has historically served as a referral center for other transplant centers and we are happy to evaluate patients for re-transplantation.
How long does a pre-transplant evaluation take?
In general, the pre-transplant workup takes one to two weeks, depending on the tests required. Staff members can assist with locating reasonably priced accommodations
in Phoenix.
How many people can I bring with me to my appointments?
In general, it is helpful to have at least one person to help the patient through the transplant evaluation. This facilitates communication and helps the patient through the process. More than three tends to be cumbersome and time-consuming for the family.
How long can I expect to wait for a donor kidney after being listed for transplant?
Wait time can vary from a number of days to several months, depending on the severity
of a patient's illness. Please see the "Statistics" section for
current average waiting time.
How much time do I have to get to Mayo Clinic when a deceased donor kidney or pancreas is found?
Generally, patients are allowed up to eight hours to get to Mayo Clinic. However, there are exceptions to the rule. Travel time that will exceed eight hours should be discussed with the transplant liaison and financial coordinator. In some cases, arrangements can be made to pick a patient up by aircraft.
How long will I need to stay in or near Mayo Clinic after the transplant?
Patients are generally required to stay close to the clinic for about three weeks post-transplant. Long-term housing is offered at a reduced rate.
Will I be on medications for a long time after the transplant?
Transplant patients generally start out with six to eight medicationsin addition to their antirejection medications. By six months, they generally take two to three per day. Eventually, patients are required to take only their antirejection medication for the rest of their life.
What kind of care and testing can I expect after being released from the hospital?
A patient's blood test and other lab results are monitored very closely in the months
immediately after transplant. For the first four months, blood will be drawn twice a week.
After four months, blood is drawn twice a month. After one year, tests are needed only once
a month. Patients must return to the clinic for routine follow-up. The frequency of the
follow-up appointments decreases as a patient gets farther away from transplant.
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