Kidney Donation Surgery

Henry Ford transplant surgeons use minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgical techniques to remove donated kidneys. As a result, you receive smaller incisions, experience less pain and return to normal activities faster.

Apply to Become a Kidney Donor

Donating a kidney

You can expect certain steps during and after your kidney donation surgery:

• Your doctor makes 2 to 3 small 1-inch incisions in your abdomen.
• A small camera or scope is inserted into one of the incisions to help your doctor perform the surgery.
• For a laparoscopic procedure, your doctor uses the scope and surgical instruments to manually detach the kidney and remove it through a 3-inch incision in your lower abdomen.
• For a robotic-assisted procedure, your doctor uses a computer console to control the arms of a robotic device that detaches your kidney. A second doctor makes a 3-inch incision along your lower abdomen to remove the kidney.
• After surgery, you recover in our specialized transplant recovery unit under the attentive care of our highly skilled transplant nurses. This unit has filtered air to reduce the risk of infection.
• After your discharge, you need to visit our main hospital or one of our convenient kidney transplant clinic locations for follow-up tests. These tests ensure your remaining kidney is working properly. You are required to undergo these exams at 2 weeks, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months following surgery.
• Individual recovery times vary.