Does obesity affect the success rate of kidney transplant?

Several questions may arise in one’s mind about this topic. What is obesity? How much overweight is included in obesity?

What is the association between obesity and kidney diseases? And finally how does obesity affects the success rate of kidney transplant?

At first we should know what is called obesity and in which condition kidney transplant has been recommended.

Kidney transplant

This article tells you about the association between kidney transplant and obesity. Join us and stay tuned until the end to get your questions answered.

Kidneys are one of the most vital organs in human body. If they don’t do their duty properly, one can come across so many problems.

Kidney’s dysfunction can even lead to death. Therefore, it’s very important to have healthy kidneys. Some may not have healthy kidneys for some reasons such as genetics, accident, physical injury, special illnesses like diabetes or high blood pressure or other reasons.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most typical reasons for kidney dysfunction. Nowadays, if one has kidney failure, one of the best solutions is kidney transplant.

Kidney transplantation is the most common organ transplant and the kidney is the most transplanted organ in the world. After kidney come liver and heart.

In 2018, out of total number of 146840 organ transplants in the world, 95479 were kidney transplants.

While organ transplantation is complicated and involving, sometimes it’s the only possible treatment for organ failure.

When kidney failure is end stage, patient’s live is in danger if kidney transplant does not perform.

Obesity Measurement

The most common way to measure weight is BMI. BMI is standing for Body Mass Index. Although some specialists say BMI is an out of date way to determine while someone has normal or abnormal weight, but still it’s in use.

They say only weight and height ratio does not mean one is in healthy weight range or not and other factors such as muscle mass, fluid status and body shape are crucial. Body mass index is a common but however imperfect indicator of obesity.

Don’t forget: BMI is for non-athlete adults. Healthy weight for children is measured with other formulas.

Body mass index measured by:

BMI = kg/m2.

These divisions are somewhat different in different countries. They are not the same everywhere. But an accepted division used in many countries is as follows:

18-25 Normal or healthy weight

25-30 Overweight

30-35 Obesity class 1

35-40 Obesity class 2

40 and above Morbidly obese

Although it’s still in debate and controversial but nowadays overweight class does not consider dangerous. Just recommend to lose weight. Considerations in this article is for BMI more than 30, who consider obese.

Obesity Measurement

Don’t forget: BMI is for non-athlete adults. Healthy weight for children is measured with other formulas.

Body mass index measured by:

BMI = kg/m2.

These divisions are somewhat different in different countries. They are not the same everywhere. But an accepted division used in many countries is as follows:

18-25 Normal or healthy weight

25-30 Overweight

30-35 Obesity class 1

35-40 Obesity class 2

40 and above Morbidly obese

Obesity and kidney failure

Obesity is a risk factor for kidney diseases. Obesity increases the risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes and hypertension. Plus, it directly affects CKD end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Many studies have shown an association between obesity type and CKD. For patients who already have CKD, Class 2 obesity and above, have been associated with more rapid progression of the illness.

A study done in 2017 has a detailed analysis of the relation between obesity and kidney failure.

Obesity leading to CKD is preventable. The key is having healthy nutrition and physical activity. However, if this level has passed and you are struggling with kidney failure due to obesity, good to know pros and cons of kidney transplant. It helps you to choose a better way and take the best decision.

The epidemic of increasing obesity in the world can affect the people in many ways. Diseases of the kidneys, including CKD, and kidney cancers are one of those.

These are among the most deleterious effects of obesity as well. Extensive actions to prevent obesity can lead to decrease of kidney illnesses.

One thing to suggest is to improve the understanding and concentrating on studies about the links between obesity and kidney diseases. After finding these associations, solutions and strategies come up.

Types of obesity affecting kidney

One thing to be noted is that abdominal obesity, specifically having waist circumference (WS) more than normal has an obvious association with increasing CKD risk while being obese in lower body has not such impact.

Part of the obesity effect on kidneys depends on where the body fat accumulates.

Quick Information
cost	from 13000$ to 14000$
Hospital Stay	7 to 10 days
Minimum Stay in Iran	3 to 4 weeks

Does obesity affect the success rate of kidney transplant?

A general problem for obese patients is that obesity hardens the operation. Performing surgical procedures on obese patients is harder, more complex and needs more time. They should stay more at the hospital and the recovery period after surgery for them is longer as well.

For patients with ESRD (end-stage renal disease) who have registered for kidney transplant, the prevalence of obesity is increasing. Complications and results in obese patients are worse than non-obese patients.

But however, even morbidly obese patients have successful operations. In comparison with patients who medically treated, obese patients after transplant have a better health status. Kidney transplant worked for them.

Obese patients with end-stage renal disease do benefit from kidney transplant, but with more risks. They have a more complex procedure and need more time to recovery.

This way, if you are obese and going to do transplant, don’t worry much. It’s normal to have concerns but statics say you still can have successful kidney transplant with obesity.

The medical management of obesity is usually unsuccessful. Bariatric surgery, specifically laparoscopic sleeve surgical operation, may end up in unbelievable weight loss and reduced morbidity, but many patients do not consent to do this treatment and weight loss surgeries.

A simple approach to manage obese candidates for kidney transplant up to this day has not yet found.

As told before, kidney transplant sometimes is not a choice, it’s a must. Kidney failure may even lead to death. Knowing various aspects can help you but if you are candidate for the operation do not hesitate.

Stay in touch with specialists at every step and seriously follow your treatment.

If you need more information on this topic and want to consult, contact us NOW.

The consultant medical doctors of TebMedTourism Co. are at your service for free.