Transplantation is a procedure done to replace one of your organs with another one, donated by someone else. This is done to replace a diseased body part with a healthy one. Even though the procedure is complex and a long-term process, this can help to make your life longer and to stop your disease from spreading through the infected organ. There are two types of transplants: solid organ transplants and stem cell transplants. The firs one makes reference to those organs like the cornea, heart, kidney, lungs, liver, etc. Meanwhile, the second type is for people who suffer from a disease that damages the cells in bone marrow. These transplants are similar to blood transfusions and do not need surgery.
Solid organs transplants begin with a complete medical exam that identify you as a candidate for a transplant. Once you are on the national waiting list, the search for a matching donor begins. This person can be someone who is related to you, a living unrelated donor or someone who has recently died. After the donation is made, living donors can live a normal, healthy life without problems. After finding the organ, you undergo a surgery to receive it and you will be in the hospital the time needed to recover so that the doctors approve your discharge. They will explain how to take care of yourself once you go back home. This includes the medicines you have to take, how often you need to visit the doctor for a follow-up and what daily activities are off-limits for you.