Living Donor Kidney Transplant
Give the Gift of Life: Living Donor Kidney Transplant
At any moment, thousands of patients are waiting—often for years—for a kidney donation. A living donor kidney transplant offers recipients a faster path to renewed health — and donors the profound experience of saving a life. At The Transplant Institute at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, we guide both donors and recipients through every step with expert care, full transparency, and unwavering support.
I need a kidney transplant
Start Transplant Application →Why Choose a Living Donor Transplant?
Living donor kidney transplants consistently outperform deceased donor transplants across every major measure. Here’s why the transplant team at Methodist Dallas recommends pursuing living donation whenever possible:
Advantages of Living Donation
Types of Living Donation
How to Become a Living Kidney Donor
Becoming a living donor is a meaningful and safe decision for the right candidate. Here’s what the process looks like at Methodist:
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Submit Your Application
Complete the living donor application online — takes about 10 minutes.
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Meet Your Independent Living Donor Advocate (ILDA)
Independent counselor ensures you’re fully informed and supported. Confidential. No pressure. Your advocate only.
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Medical Evaluation
Comprehensive labs, imaging, and health screening at no cost to you. Testing is designed to be efficient and respectful of your time.
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Transplant Committee Review
Once your evaluation is complete, a multidisciplinary transplant committee reviews your results and determines approval.
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Schedule Surgery
If approved and matched with your recipient, surgery is scheduled at a time that works for both of you. Travel from out of town? Financial assistance for travel expenses may be available.
Your decision to donate is 100% voluntary. You may withdraw at any time, for any reason, and your decision will be kept completely confidential from the recipient’s team.
Who Can Be a Living Donor?
Our program requires living donors to meet the following criteria, designed to protect your health and the health of the recipient.
✓ Be at least 18 years of age
✓ Be in good overall physical and mental health
✓ Understand the risks of living donation
✓ Be willing to undergo a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation
Some health conditions may prevent donation. These will be reviewed during your evaluation — the process is designed to protect you as much as it is to help the recipient.
Understanding Lifetime Risks
- Most studies indicate living donors can live a normal, healthy life with one kidney.
- One possible long-term risk is slightly higher blood pressure, which is manageable.
- Rare risks include pain, nerve damage, hernia, or intestinal obstruction.
- Your remaining kidney increases its capacity to compensate over time.
- 70% function restored within 10–11 days
- After donating, your remaining kidney adapts and continues to improve — allowing for a full and healthy life.
What Does Living Donation Cost?
This is one of the most common concerns — and the good news is straightforward:
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Medical costs: All evaluation and surgery costs for the donor are covered by the recipient’s insurance. You pay nothing for the evaluation or the procedure itself.
- Lost wages: Programs like the National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) may provide financial assistance for travel, lodging, and lost wages.
- Long-term health: Studies consistently show that living donors live as long as and as healthy as the general population. Our team monitors your kidney function at regular follow-up appointments after donation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will donating a kidney affect my long-term health?
In the vast majority of cases, no. Most donors live full, normal lives with one kidney. Your remaining kidney naturally compensates over time. Long-term studies of living donors show life expectancy comparable to the general population.
Can I donate if I’m not related to the recipient?
Yes. Non-related and altruistic donors are welcomed. You can donate to a friend, coworker, or even a stranger through our paired donation program.
What is the recovery time after donation?
Most donors are discharged within 2–3 days of surgery. The majority return to light activity within 2 weeks and full work duties within 4–6 weeks. Our minimally invasive laparoscopic approach reduces pain and speeds recovery compared to older techniques.
What if I’m not compatible with my intended recipient?
We can explore paired donation (also called a kidney swap or paired exchange), which matches you with another donor-recipient pair who are compatible across both pairs. This allows both transplants to move forward even without a direct match.
Is my decision to withdraw confidential?
Absolutely. If you decide not to donate at any point, your reason remains confidential from the recipient team. There is never any pressure to continue
Is my decision to withdraw confidential Can I get pregnant after donating or drink alcohol after donating?
Both are permitted once your doctor gives clearance. Alcohol consumption and pregnancy are possible after donation with appropriate medical guidance.
Additional Resources for Living Donation
Learn the benefits and process of living donor transplant at Methodist Dallas in this brief video.
Living Donor Guide
Everything your potential donor needs to know about the process, risks, and what to expect.
Download PDF →How to Ask for a Kidney Guide
Scripts, conversation starters, and tips for sharing your story and finding a donor in your community.
Download PDF →Why Methodist Dallas
The Transplant Institute at Methodist Dallas Medical Center is one of the largest and most active multi-organ transplant centers in the southwestern United States, with over 40 years of excellence reflected in our transplant outcomes.
Patients travel from around the world to be treated by our multidisciplinary specialists. Every patient — donor or recipient — is part of the Methodist Health System family, and we are committed to their care with both compassion and expertise.