6 months post surgery and my surgeon asked

[CK]

...if I would do it again. I said, absolutely.

He also asked if I found the follow-up care "annoying". He is apparently on some UNOS board or other and it has come up that donors find the follow-up care intrusive and difficult. I said, absolutely not, I think it's great that you do it and I feel like I've had good care. He said that in his mind, I have "saved a life" and I deserve good care afterward.

Everything's fine with me, 6 months out. The only lingering effects are a slightly hypertrophic scar and numbness in my leg, which seems to be gradually getting better. Otherwise, I'd never know I donated.

My recipient is still a transplant poster boy for the hospital, he's had absolutely no problems whatsoever. We both feel like it happened 10 years ago.

[Rinnierich]

Congrats on your transplant. I feel like this is a common theme with post op follow-up. I actually enrolled in a study pre-post surgery and got asked this question about 100 times from day 1 of post op till about 6 months. I actually didn't get a 6 month follow-up with my surgeon and my surgeon actually left the hospital. But I am glad to hear you have zero regrets, I hope that all donors can feel this way because realistically they do not.

[CK]

I'm sure that's true, not everyone feels that way. I would imagine that if someone had serious complications, they might regret it, or if their recipient rejected the organ or worse, died, they might feel regret. I've been fortunate, as has my recipient and I went into it without feeling any pressure or obligation to do it. AND, it's only been six months, so I suppose there is still plenty of time for things to go wrong.

[Skillet]

...if I would do it again. I said, absolutely.

He also asked if I found the follow-up care "annoying". He is apparently on some UNOS board or other and it has come up that donors find the follow-up care intrusive and difficult. I said, absolutely not, I think it's great that you do it and I feel like I've had good care. He said that in his mind, I have "saved a life" and I deserve good care afterward.

Everything's fine with me, 6 months out. The only lingering effects are a slightly hypertrophic scar and numbness in my leg, which seems to be gradually getting better. Otherwise, I'd never know I donated.

My recipient is still a transplant poster boy for the hospital, he's had absolutely no problems whatsoever. We both feel like it happened 10 years ago.

+1 and Dr Yang in my mind is one of the best!!

My brother and I are having the same story!!  6 month check up Sept. 9th

[elephant]

Dear CK,

I'm glad you are doing so well! After a little over a year my scars hardly show. 

As for me, I wish I'd had more annoying and intrusive follow-up. 

love, elephant

[PhilHoover]

received his bi-annual check up at UAB last week.  The  specialists there said he has the kidney of a "30 year old...and it is functioning flawlessly."

GREAT NEWS:  I was 47 where I donated....and I'm thrilled to know his kidney is functioning flawlessly.

[CK]

That is very nice.

My recipient is also doing very well and my "cute little kidney" (his surgeon's words) seems to be handling the job admirably.