What happens during the kidney transplant surgery?

Kidney transplants are performed with general anesthesia, so you’re not awake during the procedure. The surgical team monitors your heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen level throughout the procedure.

During the surgery:

• The surgeon makes an incision in the lower part of one side of your abdomen and places the new kidney into your body. Unless your own kidneys are causing complications such as high blood pressure, kidney stones, pain or infection, they are left in place.
• The blood vessels of the new kidney are attached to blood vessels in the lower part of your abdomen, just above one of your legs.
• The new kidney’s ureter — the tube that links the kidney to the bladder — is connected to your bladder.