For over 40 years, Stony Brook’s Kidney Transplantation Program has provided life-changing care, focused on creating the smoothest path for recipients, donors, and their loved ones. As the oldest and most active program on Long Island, we have performed over 2,000 kidney transplant surgeries, placing us in the top 20% of programs nationwide by patient volume.
Our transplant team of expert surgeons, compassionate nurse coordinators, and dedicated staff support patients and donors every step of the way, ensuring a seamless, supportive experience. Through continuous innovation and research, we offer the latest advancements, including minimally invasive laparoscopic donor surgeries and cutting-edge post-transplant care.
- We offer the shortest wait time and highest transplant rate in the downstate New York area
- More than a third of our transplanted kidneys come from living donors, 99% of whom have their surgery performed laparoscopically, resulting in a shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery
- The first pediatric transplant program on Long Island with a success rate for new kidney function one year after transplant of 100 percent
When is a Kidney Transplant Needed?
A kidney transplant may be needed for those suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which is a permanent condition of kidney failure that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Dialysis removes waste and other substances from the blood when the kidneys no longer can, but it is not a cure for kidney disease or failure.
Kidney transplant is often the preferred treatment for end-stage renal disease, as patients who receive a transplant often have a better quality of life and a higher chance of long-term survival.
What is Living Donation?
Over 100,000 people in the United States are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, with average wait times for deceased donor kidneys ranging from 3 to 7 years. As a result, living-donor kidney transplants are becoming increasingly important.
Living donors can be related to the recipient—such as a parent, sibling, or child—or unrelated, like a spouse, friend, or acquaintance. Additionally, living kidney donors can donate based on medical compatibility, often referred to as an altruistic donation.
What is the Life Expectancy of a Kidney Transplant Recipient?
Patients who undergo a kidney transplant generally have a longer life expectancy than those who remain on dialysis. On average, a kidney from a living donor lasts about 12 to 20 years, while a kidney from a deceased donor lasts about 8 to 12 years. Many receive more than one kidney in their lifetime.
What are the Risks of Kidney Transplant Surgery?
The risks of a kidney transplant are the same for any surgery and include infection, bleeding, or breathing issues. Risks more specific to this procedure include kidney rejection or infection due to immunosuppressants.
What is Life Like After a Kidney Transplant?
A successful kidney transplant can restore the patient's ability to live life as they did before kidney disease or dialysis, enabling them to work, travel, and enjoy more time with family and friends.
To learn more about Stony Brook’s Kidney Transplantation Program, call (631) 444-4000 or visit the Stony Brook Kidney Transplantation Program website.
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