A renal transplant is also known as kidney transplant is a surgical process that is performed to replace a diseased kidney with a healthy kidney. The healthy kidney may come from:

• A Cadaveric/Deceased Organ Donor: A person who has recently died 
• Living Donor:  could be a family member or others who are a good match with the patient and are in a state to donate one of their kidneys. This type of transplant is called a living transplant and the donor has very high chances of living a healthy life with one kidney.The transplanted kidney is placed in the lower abdomen near the groin, on the front side of the body. The Damaged kidney is usually left inside the body unless it is damaged due to infections or high blood pressure or is cancerous.

The patient might go for a kidney transplant if he suffers from:

• End-Stage Kidney Disease and is on dialysis
• Advanced chronic kidney disease (stage IV or V with GFR <20ml/min)
• Chronic kidney disease (stage IV with GFR <30ml/min) and also in a need another organ transplant
• Chronic kidney disease and type 1 Diabetes (that has not responded to medical treatment)

The preparation of the kidney transplant involves everything from a doctor’s consultation to evaluating the right donor for your transplant. There are many steps a patient needs to take to get ready for a kidney transplant:

• Your doctor might ask you to take a full health evaluation to know whether you are ready for a transplant. The process of evaluation can take days.
• Make sure you are not only physically but also mentally ready for the kidney transplant.
• You may ask the transplant team about the whole procedure of kidney transplant and the related outcomes.
• You have to opt for the right donor.
• If you have a living donor (anyone ready to donate their kidney to you) then you can go for the transplant as soon as possible.
• If you do not have a living donor then you may be added to the national waiting list for a donor's kidney. 
• You have to take some tests to see whether the donor’s kidney matches yours or not.

Some of the precautions a patient must take before and after the surgery involves:

Before the Transplantation:

• A patient has to undergo a complete pre-transplant test as recommended by the doctor, which includes renal biopsy, renal functioning test and assessment of reversible causes as and when needed.
• Make sure to take the prescribed medication on time
• Inform your doctor in detail about your complete medical history.
• Abstain yourself from drinking alcohol.
• Follow the diet chart as provided by the transplant doctor. 

After the Transplantation: 

• The patient has to visit the transplant centre to follow up as an outpatient for close monitoring of kidney function.
• Take all the prescribed medication on time.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco.
• Follow your diet and exercise guidelines
• Try to get involved in healthy activities.
• The patient has to take anti-rejection medication to help prevent the body from rejecting the donated kidney.

Some of the major Complications associated with kidney transplantation involve:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• The blood vessels of the new kidney may get blocked
• Leakage of urine  
• Blockage of urine in the urethra
• Initial a new kidney  may not function correctly
• The new kidney may be rejected 

Anti-rejection medication side effects
After the kidney transplant, a patient has to take Anti-rejection medication to prevent the body from rejecting the new kidney. These medications come with some side effects that include:

• Acne
• Infection
• Weight gain
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Puffiness (oedema)
• Excessive hair growth or hair loss
• Bone thinning (osteoporosis)
• Bone damage (osteonecrosis)
• Increased risk of cancer (especially skin cancer and lymphoma)