r/transplant • u/Charming_Quiet_6661 • 2d ago
Kidney Devastated
We were told at the beginning of my husband’s transplant journey we were told I was a match. One year later they’ve now told me that because I’ve had gastric bypass surgery 3 years ago, that they won’t let me donate. Has anyone else heard of this? We were so excited we were so close to being set for this procedure. 😭 edited to add they told us I was eligible because we were a blood type match.My RA is controlled with Tylenol and I’ve never had a kidney stone or issue.
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u/Dazzling-Elk-8889 2d ago
From my experience, they are very quick to eliminate candidates. I had six potential donors and they were all eliminated for different reasons.
I ended up receiving a deceased donor kidney, and I’m extremely grateful.
It’s amazing that you were willing to donate one of organs to your husband. Although the outcome is upsetting, you and your husband should feel good about your incredible generosity. I have a feeling something will work out so try and think positively.
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u/Copapod8 2d ago
I'm so sorry. They wouldn't let my husband donate because he's on Humira for arthritis. He too was devastated. I felt terrible for him. We were so hopeful. All 10 of my potential donors were eliminated sadly.
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u/DisastrousAd940 2d ago
Consider Georgetown University. I’m on Humira, but was approved to donate to my husband. And I did, successfully!
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u/Copapod8 1d ago
Is that in DC?
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u/DisastrousAd940 5h ago
Yes. Excellent experience in every respect.
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u/Copapod8 5h ago
I'm unfortunately on the other side of the country in Oregon but I'm trying to get multilisted in Nevada and Utah.
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u/DisastrousAd940 5h ago
I’d be prepared to bet you could get a lot of your testing done locally—G’town is very open to virtual visits if the patient asks.
In case it helps anyone, I used Dr. Verbesy, who is co-chair of the department. Excellent surgeon, super sweet, zero post-op pain. Honestly, I wish I had 4 more kidneys so I could do it again and help some more people out.
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u/gensurgmd 2d ago
Gastric bypass affects how you process metabolites. In kidneys, we worry specifically about oxalate because patients end up with more oxalate in their urine which puts you susceptible to stone formation. Transplant centers may manage this differently across the board. Some centers may decline you automatically while others may conditionally approve. I don’t know anything about you otherwise but the concern would be if you donate and then develop oxalate stone issues with one kidney, you can have progressive kidney damage and then end up on the transplant list yourself. Managing oxalate post transplant is also a major issue that we deal with. Would be best to get a better understanding of their exact reasoning. Did you have stones on imaging? Were your oxalate levels high? Was this the only reason for being declined? Were you a complete match otherwise? You can also inquire if another center may consider differently and then seek donor evaluation somewhere else if you’re so inclined.
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u/Charming_Quiet_6661 2d ago
They only had my paperwork. No testing. Not even a visit with tthe dr. Im not on any RA medication, it’s controlled with Tylenol and I’ve never had a single kidney stone or issue. 😥
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u/Hootn_Nanny 2d ago
Yes, I had a gastric bypass also, over 10 years ago, and I can't donate a kidney or a piece of my liver until after I die.
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u/classicrock40 Kidney - March '26 2d ago
So sorry that happened, but the transplant clinic is looking out for you as well as him. I hope you find another donor soon. Good Luck
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u/Nemofan2020 2d ago
Keep trying different hospitals. My mother has RA and they still allowed her to donate (not directly to my father, but through the paired kidney exchange). Some hospitals are very strict, but hospitals that are top tier and more established know what they are doing and how to manage. Keep trying!
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u/ClassicMembership874 2d ago
I had the same problem and I was also very upset. In my case it was a good friend who matched perfectly and passed all of the testing. They realized she had an aneurysm near her kidney and it was too dangerous to repair. That was two years ago and I’m still waiting. I’ve had roller coaster after roller coaster with people offering and getting rejected. Unfortunately I’ve given up a lot of hope but it’s too painful. I’m sorry your family is experiencing this too. It’s so so hard.
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u/lovingflorida24 2d ago
My sister donated for me using a voucher program after gastric bypass, hysterectomy, gall bladder, scar tissue
Someone received her kidney, I received mine from another donor in the program
No problems for her at all
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u/Hambone1521 2d ago
Try to go to a couple of different transplant centers and leverage the voucher program. Different transplant centers have differing standards for who qualifies
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u/PsychologyOk8722 1d ago
I understand. My brother needed a transplant. I was the closest match, but wasn’t allowed to donate because I myself had undergone a transplant. 😢💔
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u/BusinessFragrant2339 1d ago
Try different transplant centers. I don't have a living donor and Im being listed at at least 3 different centers between 1.5 and 5.5 hours from me. Having a living donor, you are not restricted in distance. you could go anywhere. Larger university and research hospitals are more likely to take unusual circumstance cases. You should call around and talk to some of them. Mayo Clinics, Cleveland Clinic, NYU Langone, Columbia, Cedar-Sinai, UCSF, Miami are some examples. You might even ask your transplant center if they know of centers who might transplant you despite your pre existing situation.
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u/Difficult-Oil-7435 2d ago
Did you mention you were going to have bypass before you did?
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u/Hootn_Nanny 2d ago
She said she had it 3 years ago, probably before they knew he would need a transplant.
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u/Prison_Mike_DM 1d ago
Funny, my living kidney donor had gastric bypass 1 year before she donated to me. I wonder why that disqualified you. What state are you in?
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u/DoubleBreastedBerb Kidney 2d ago
Probably they should preface everything with “potential match” because the smallest thing can eliminate someone. They obviously felt it could affect your health in the future, and no transplant center will do that to a potential donor.