Questions to Ask

1. How many laparscopic (either hand-assisted or one-port, depending on the surgeon/transplant center) has the surgeon personally performed? ('proficiency' is defined differently in the U.S. than in other countries. In other words, U.S. surgeons are declared 'proficient' based on many less procedures performed, and studies show that rates of complications decrease as surgeons become more adept at the procedure)

2. What post-surgical complications has transplant center and/or surgeon experienced? (Keep in mind that not all complications are reported to UNOS/OPTN so whatever number given, it is lower than actual rate)

3. Will the Living Donor Advocate still be available to you post-surgery/discharge? (Some advocates feel their job is only to guide the donor through the evaluation process and surgery. After discharge, their responsibilities are over)

4. Is the Living Donor Advocate a living donor him/herself? (Most likely not. If this is the case, don't be afraid to ask if s/he has ever been tested, or why s/he would be interested in such a specialized position as an Living Donor Advocate. Remember, s/he is employed by the transplant center who charges between $400,000-$500,000 per transplant performed. It is important to 'get a feel' for how likely this person will fight for you, the prospective donor)

5. What mental health or support services are available to living donors post-surgery/discharge? (Not a single transplant center in the U.S. has official, structured aftercare and support services for donors. Most transplant centers will probably say they can make referrals to in-house mental health providers, but that has about as much significance as picking a therapist out of the phone book. Just because the provider is employed/referred by the transplant center does not mean s/he has any knowledge of living donors or living donor issues)

Financial*:

A Living Donor could be out of work for 2-12 weeks or more. Never mind major complications.

1-Are you prepared for the maximum time out of work?
2-What is your monthly budget?
3-Entitled to Disability? Short/Long...State...Self Insured Company?
4-Do you have Supplemental Insurance?
5-Can you get it? How and Where? Through work...Individual...How much will it cost?
6-Will employer hold Health Insurance? If you have to pay it back when you return to work what is the financial deficit to your normal budget?
7-Does your budget focus on long term? Not just playing catch-up but for those random bills that show up once a year like a car insurance payment?
8-Have you talked with the people in your inner circle about how they can help? Did you accept any/all offers? You should.
9-Has anyone offered a fundraiser? Say Yes. With a Please and Thank You.
10-If there were a fundraiser and you didn't need the money have you communicated where to donate the extra funds?
11-Are you familiar with services available to you? Heating assistance programs...Food Stamps...Etc.
12-Have you covered with all parties financial obligations/ramifications?
14-Have you researched everything, preparing your worst delay-back-to-work scenario?
15-What are you forgetting? Make a list.

*Modified from a list created by Living Kidney Donor Celia.

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