From reading many posts on this forum, it seems that the level of donor care differs greatly among the over 200 centers in this country. I do wish we had a consumer report type of section where people could rate their hospital experience and give the advantages and disadvantages of each. You can read through and sort of get an idea of where people had good and bad experiences. I agree, donor care is often secondary to recipient care. I think doctors are trained to treat sick people and disease and are less equipped to treat the healthy patients like donors. They often just keep quoting the same old adages like: : a second kidney is like a spare part, you only need one to live (how many of them are living on their spare?), you only stay in the hospital 2 days, go back to work like nothing happened, all the expenses are paid by the recipients insurance etc. Let's face it, the recipients are sick patients who they need to heal and this is how hospitals keep their transplant centers open and thriving. That is why it is so important to get independent input from professionals outside the transplant center in order to make an informed unbiased decision. You really need someone to lay out both the risks and the benefits. You also need to evaluate the hospital as much as they are evaluating you. Yes, most donors do well, but if something happens will these professionals be there to hep me, will they advocate for me, will they pass the buck saying my complication is not related to the surgery or tell me I need to go back to my own doctor? Lots to think about.
Are you considering donating to someone you know or at you donating as a non related donor? Family donation often has a lot more emotional issues attached to it and sometimes it can be helpful to talk to a mental health professional to sort it all out.
Keep asking and exploring.
Sherri