What you can expect

Living-donor kidney transplant usually involves a donated kidney from someone you know, such as a family member, friend or co-worker. Genetically related family members are most likely to be compatible living kidney donors.

A living kidney donor may also be someone you don't know, a non-directed living kidney donor.

Both you and your living kidney donor will be evaluated to determine if the donor's organ is a good match for you. In general, your blood and tissue types need to be compatible with the donor.

However, even if your donor isn't a match, in some cases a successful transplant may still be possible with additional medical treatment before and after transplant to desensitize your immune system and reduce the risk of rejection.

If your living kidney donor isn't compatible with you, your transplant center may offer you and your donor the chance to participate in the paired donation program. In paired living-organ donation, your donor gives a kidney to someone else who is compatible. Then you receive a compatible kidney from that recipient's donor.

Once you've been matched with a living kidney donor, the kidney transplant procedure will be scheduled in advance. The kidney donation surgery (donor nephrectomy), and your transplant typically occur on the same day.