Obese

[Quita55]

Could someone please tell me is there a risk of me doing PD while being obese? Should I look at doing hemodialysis at home instead? Please be honest!

[Hidden]

While I was on PD for only 5 weeks before I received a living donor transplant, not one of my doctors every mentioned my high BMI. On top of that, I previously had abdominal surgery due to stage 1 colon cancer. Are you planning on an eventual kidney transplant? If so, a high BMI often precludes one from receiving a transplant. That being said, my transplant clinic (University of Illinois Hospitals) specializes in robotic surgery and transplantation for those people who are obese. All four of us (two donors, two recipients) in our paired-kidney exchange were no "light weights." Yet, 15 months post we are all doing really, really well. Plus, I only have a four-inch main incision point along with 4 or 5 micro-incisions for arms and camera. Cool!

A. Be sure to ask you nephrologist about your concern about PD and BMI. A good doctor should either know the answer or at least be willing to consult with others.

B. Also, remember that whether it's dialysis, transplant or eventually both — these are life saving technologies.

C. As a large man at age 50 I didn't have too much trouble with doing PD. Main problem was "kinking" the PD line every now and then resulting in the machine alarm sounding. My wife and decided that there were less chance of making a mistake with PD then their would be if I did home hemo. There are a lot of steps in home hemo 😝

[Bassetmommer]

I have been told by my nephrologist that even with a high BMI and a large stomach that PD would be fine for me when the time comes. I too was denied transplant because of my weight. I have 30 more pounds to lose to qualify, but they put me on the clock even so. But the wait is still many years.

[Nullity]

I can tell you that for me with a BMI of 33 that they tried to do the PT surgery and I had too much scar tissue and even after removing some of it they were still unable to do it so I am doing in Center hemo. Gl to you!

[Quita55 in reply to Nullity]

I'm already doing hemodialysis at the center, I want to do PD at home

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Bmi has little bearing on PD. Scar tissue and skill level of surgeon are key imho. PD is my favorite dialysis. How close to dialysis are you?