The Transplant process includes multiple steps:

1. EBNMG’s specialists will help you determine if a transplant is your best treatment option. Clinical tests and examinations will determine if a transplant is a safe option for you. You will be referred to one or more of the transplant centers in the Bay Area.

2. The team at the transplant center evaluates you and run more tests to decide whether your health condition makes you a good transplant candidate or not. Each center has their own criteria for accepting candidates for transplant.

3. You will then be placed on a waiting list. You’ll be registered on the national organ transplant waiting list. A living donor may also be identified at this time and evaluated for living donation. The living donor transplant will proceed once the initial evaluation is complete.

4. You may need someone to take care of you after the transplant, so plan ahead and organize your support system. Work with your transplant team’s financial coordinator to develop a plan to cover transplant costs and medications needed to prevent rejection.

5. Waiting times vary widely and depend on many factors including your blood type, your unique medical condition and how many donors are available in your local area compared to the number of patients waiting for transplant.

6. When you get closer to actual transplant surgery, additional testing may be required to be completed. Take care of these in a timely fashion. You must be ready and available if you get “the call”. The transplant center expects you to be at the hospital within a short period of time and be ready for further medical tests and wait for surgery.

7. After the surgery, your medical team manages your care closely. They will help you recover quickly and understand the medications you must take to avoid rejection and take care of your new transplant.

In addition to medical tests, education and open communication between you and your physician team are critical to making the right choice. Some important medical and lifestyle considerations include:

EBNMG will work with you to address these and other considerations to help you make the best choice for you and your family.