I am 67 years old, 68 in November. I do not feel old. I felt very good about the possibility of a robotic transplant after talking to surgeons in Dallas. Waiting on son to qualify for donation of living kidney. Since then, I went to my local transplant center last week for evaluation to get on their wait list too, as a back up plan. I finally met their required weight limits. I walked away from that meeting mad, frustrated and depressed and remain depressed after speaking with their surgeon. They only do traditional transplants, not robotic.
He said my age, the fact that I am female, have diabetes and live a relatively sedentary lifestyle are all high risk factors and they may not put me on their waitlist. I would have to pass their 6-minute monitored walk as a final task, which they are scheduling. Then they will decide. However, when his nurse came in afterward, she said his prognosis for me was not looking good, marginal, iffy.
He told me to join an excercise group and get my heart stronger, which I can understand. I am not a joiner, but I can do things on my own to improve my lifestyle and will. However, all of this leaves me depressed, if they do not approve me for a waitlist, I would then be left with only dialysis as a choice for keeping me alive.
I reviewed their stats for the past 4 years and they do twice as many men as women transplants, and I saw none over the age of 65.
Am I too old for a transplant, and the other transplant center in Dallas just doesn't want to tell me that directly? Their stats don't show many over the age of 65 either. I am now nervous - will my body even survive a transplant or is this all for nothing? Any of you know of older people getting transplants and surviving well? Thanks for any thoughts you have.
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Wow, I am so sorry but in total empathy. They do not understand that they are messing with people's lives. And they are totally rude and it is not necessary to be that way First of all, most clinics have a higher age range. I am surprised with the 68. I am 70 and have not been told no. MANY CKD patients have diabetes so that is not unusual. But, the lifestyle is important. So find something to make yourself more active. I do water aerobics 2x weekly. And I walk in small amounts to get to at least 2 miles daily. It hard in this freaking hot weather. the fact you have a donor should make it easier for you. I hope he is successful. Remember, even if he is not a perfect match to you, he can donate, and they WILL find you a match. Its called the paired donor program. It is explain on the National Kidney Foundation website. Keep searching for another center to support you. I am trying to go to the local one, but they are messing with me and making it as hard as they can. My weight is an issue, and I am really working on it. I reported the nurse who told me do not be hopeful. You NEVER say that. And she is not involved with the decided team. But 2 hours away is another center, and I know I will be accepted there in a flash and they have a quick turnaround. It just is difficult because here in NY, you have to stay with the transplant center for a year..... and it is in Buffalo....the snow capitol of NY. And we have an 18 year old doggo who we cannot leave.
Thank you and I totally understand the weight issue. Once I realized so much of my weight was fluid retention, and got it off, I am amzed that I have lost real weight of 25-30 lbs over past year. However, my fluid retention is stubbornly remaining, and I am taking LAsix daily now, tryin gto keep it at bay until I can get a transplant and try not to go on dialysis. BTW, this dr. was also negative about me doing PD if I need dialysis. So that upset me even more. I think he is just one of the ignroant ones they kicked out of Dallas . My neph said only the bad ones stay at this medical center.
Two hours away is not that far really, but understably not wanting to do that in the snow. Could you afford to rent an apt for a year in Buffalo, where you could have yur dog with you? There is a website, FunrishedFinder.com that offers mid-term furnished rentals all across country. Mostly traveling nurses and contractors rent these. Many allow dogs. THer are not a bunch of fees like Air BNB, you deal directly with homeowner. We have a condo in Louisville that I am considering doing this as we only go there to see granddaughter a few times a year. To get a transplant faster and easier seems it would be worth it to check out these alternative type arrangements. I will do such when/if I have to stay in Dallas for 3 months.
We actually have relatives that we can stay with.... There is just something so stubborn about me making me fight with the Medical Center transplant team. I worked for the same Medical Center. I know exactly what they are doing. They want a perfect match so they do not get dinged if it fails.
I have NO water, edema issues. Just the opposite. The first three months on dialysis dehydrated me so bad. NO one bother to tell me that even though they were not taking off fluid, the machine does automatically take about 400 CC. So now I replace it with saline bolus.
You are a more patient soul than I am. WIth all the frustrations you have gone through there, I certainly understand making your point with them, but I think I would want it over and done, then go back and say I told you so.. All my best to you sweetie!!!
Hi. I’m sorry you are going through this- I am 65 years old and have been on the transplant list in Oregon for three years. I have been approved for the list but actually had the surgeon assigned to my case comment to me that he was worried about wasting a donated kidney on me! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing- I have done everything they have requested and more to stay healthy and off dialysis. I reported this to my transplant coordinator and all she said was the Surgeon must of been having a “bad” day. I worked in healthcare for 38 years and never took my “bad” days out on my patients or staff. This process can be very frustrating at times. I hope you get approved soon.
My mom is 77 and got a kidney 2 years ago after covid. Her parents both lived to be 100 and 101. This was brought up to the doctors. They were very strict on what she had to do, diet, heart, weight. She was a smoker as well. She had to be smoke free for 6 weeks. She had to lose weight and build up her heart strength. She got the transplant and ended up with breast cancer a couple of months after the transplant. Same rules applied before they agreed on chemo, radiation and surgery. She went through all of the cancer treatments. They kept checking her kidney function throughout the treatment. Don't accept the "you're too old" bs. They did tell her that if she can't get her heart to where they want it, that she would not get a transplant. She had the help of physical therapists working hard with her. Her pulse oxygen was in the lower 90s when she needed the kidney and 97 after physical therapy. They did a lot of ekg's on her. She was prediabetic before the transplant. A family member donated the kidney. Keep your head up and keep fighting. Even if you get denied, there are different types of dialysis. My wifes ex father in law was on home dialysis for 15+ years. According to a 2016 article in Transplantation, kidney transplants for 80-year-olds with end-stage renal disease can have an acceptable five-year survival rate of 55%. In fact, studies have shown that even advanced age can lead to better outcomes than dialysis, even when the organs are of poorer quality.
The nurse has absolutely no business telling you that. That was wrong. She can’t read the doctor’s mind. Only a doctor can tell you test results. In fact, there is a transplant committee that meets to decide, not just one doctor.
Some transplant centers are more aggressive and will take on higher risk patients!!! Do not give up. I recommend the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona which is where I went. People come from all over the world to go there. You do not have to be a resident of Arizona.
I very gratefully received my kidney at Phonix after only 11 months and 3 weeks on the waiting list. I know someone who only waited 7 months. Wait time is affected by lots of things. Blood type. How old you are - children get top priority, and people under 40 are given somewhat of a priority.
Some people are rejected by one center but go on to have successful transplants at another center. Plenty of times.
No you are not too old. The record is 88, last year. It does depend on your health, but age alone does not disqualify you. But they must deem you healthy enough to survive. 1 in 100 transplant patients dies by the end of the first month.
I attend a weekly post-transplant support group and yes, one of the women there got her kidney at Mayo at the age of over 60. One man there is on his third kidney, with a total of 12 years of dialysis total between all the waiting. It will be his last. He’s in his 70s. Not sure when his last transplant was.
It is not age but stats. Transplant units are constantly filtering patients to make sure they get positive stats. Some turn down patients even before evaluation purely on age. I originally requested to be put on a list when I was 65 and was accepted by 2 centers and rejected by 1. I received my transplant 5 years later after 5 years on dialysis. The second determining factor sad to say is money. I was still working when I received my transplant. Then covid hit and working was not an option. Luckily due to Medicare my expensive medications were covered beyond the 3 year limitation. My age was beneficial at that moment. At 75 I know that another transplant would be impossible and am doing everything to keep my transplant healthy but realize that dialysis will be in my future at some point and thankful that there is a second option. Keep the faith, good things will come your way.
I'm based in Scotland, so a totally different protocol. Since I started dialysis 2 years ago, I know of 3 transplant recipients over 66, who are doing amazing. Get the healthiest you can and then fight for it. As if you don't have enough to deal with, without the ageist discrimination. Keep us updated
I thought I reply to this I’m 68 been on waitlist three year wow you said you review stay and none been done after 65 that is sad . I know the one list I’m on it is the last day you are 61 you are off the list. So that why I got on another one and the surgeon told me at second one they have no age limit . They just transplanted an 83 year old . They said you know some 80 years old are healthier than. 40 year old you can’t go by age. And same with accepting an older kidney the 40 year old may have lots of problems and the 80 year old may. Have no problems making that kidney a better kidney not always but it happen more then you think . Keep fighting for what you want .
I would forget robotics. It's slower keeping you under anesthesia 4 vs 3 hours. AND whoever did the surgery missed a vein and my daughter donor was bleeding internally and had to go back in to fix it. She's fine but open wound would have seen this mistake.
After 2 months in the hospital last year I've been trying to reactivate myself on the list (I'm 60 and going to KU Med). In March I went to see when I'd be reactivated. The transplant doc had me walk down the hall and said I needed to do physical therapy first. So I did 6 weeks of PT. Then I had a chemical stress test with "abnormal" results and now I have to do a cardia catherization. Who knows how that will go, it's Fri the 9th. At this point I'm kind of sad that I may never get a transplant and may spend the rest of my life on dialysis.
I'm the opposite and need to gain weight as my BMI runs low. I'm not diabetic but I sure do understand the weight issue. I wish you all the luck.
Oh, please do not give up. I had a transplant at 70. I had some issues with high blood pressure. Here I am at 76 and doing just fine. I'll pray for you.
My husband received a deceased donor kidney at age 71...he's now 3 years post. He, too, was overweight and a diabetic. As soon as he realized his ship was sinking, he turned his life around, went off all diabetes meds (including insulin) but not in time to stave off dialysis. Our local transplant center watched him walk and so on, reviewed all his data, and placed him on the transplant list. But the wait was extremely long there so we double-listed at a larger, busier center two hours away. (They required a heart cath which lead to a stent.) He received a transplant at the larger center only 6 months later. We agreed to accept a transplant that had a few issues - a kidney that likely would have been discarded elsewhere.
Just like all businesses, some transplant centers can offer more services than others. Some will take on more complex cases because they have the doctors with the skillsets and the labs to "cleanup" kidneys left unused by others, etc. It's important to know a center's capabilities. Also, I'd like to mention is that we made it a priority to be cooperative, not combative, with both centers we approached and to work with what they asked my husband to do. As things turned dire, my husband listened to his doctors, and changed his life around. All doctors involved were truly heartened and actually high-fived or cheered. Having to deal with the "customer is always right" mentality in their patient population is very disheartening for them. Their concerns are real...recovery for seniors are often more difficult. We experienced that first hand.
One last note, I'm surprised PD was discouraged for you. My husband was encouraged to switch to PD since it doesn't use the blood vessels - arterial calcification is a problem for diabetics. The surgeon wanted the arteries needed for transplant to remain clear. Later, my husband was told there was some calcification present but not enough to stop the operation. Are we happy with the outcome of everything? Oh yes! Even with the twists and turns our journey took, we are now living a relatively normal life. My husband continues to listen and follow guidance, and he was recently sent back to our local doctors for follow-ups. No more 2+ hour trips for us. Sending you encouragement that things will soon "look up" for you too.
Thank you to all for the encouragement and you rjourny stories. It is a blessing to hear! Even though I have a-fib and a pacemaker, all of my heart tests have come back normal. Was told my heart is fine. I have the 6-minute walk schedlued for August and I am going to ask for a referral to PT to build up cardio strength. I will go to PT, just not to organized excercise classes. And I will try walking longer on my treadmill. I still have more confidence in the overall team at Baylor than my local team at UAMS, but will continue to try to qualify at both. Mostly, I am so glad to hear from those who are older and doing well. Irealize my recovery may be slow, but as long as I know what to expect, I think things will be OK.
Yeah! I'm so thankful you intend to be proactive!! That's the way to be! I'm your cheerleader! Some sit and spin, others go forth into battle for the win. Glad you placed yourself into the latter group.
Transplant at 70. Had to qualify twice: initially then two year later after open heart surgery. You absolutely can increase your strength, reduce your weight and feel years younger with an active lifestyle. Perhaps just try a group ex class at the local rec center; look for one that looks >fun<. Music you like. A kind instructor…
Or, just pick exercise videos (some great teacher on YouTube) and schedule time each day. Walk-:). Sorry if this sounds a bit Ray Ray but I believe, and have experienced, with keeping active as I age (74 now).
Qualifying for a transplant can be hard but I believe if all you need to do is add activity to your like it is very very doable. If you want a deep dive into why it is so hard read the book: ’Life from Death, notes from a transplant surgen’
How heavy are you?? What’s your BMI? Do you have cardiac clearance for the operation? You can go to a different transplant center and see if they will list you. My husband was transplanted in December 2023 with a living transplant donor through the National Kidney Registry when he was 73 years old. The transplant center does not want you to drop dead on the operating table and neither do you. My husband has an excellent cardiologist who cleared him for transplant procedure. But one center didn’t approve him because his medical records showed he had “pulmonary hypertension” which was a transcription error. So we checked out the SRTR website and found a more highly rated transplant Center which did more extensive cardiac testing and passed him. He and his 50 year old kidney are flourishing. We had TERRIBLE, callous pre-transplant staff and post transplant staff are short with us and our questions. The staff in the hospital were wonderful and supportive and that was the most important part. He has now been transitioned back to his private nephrologist who continues to be wonderful. As a side note I have worked in dialysis units as a Social Worker since 1992 and for whatever reason transplant center staff is not supportive to transplant candidates. I have had to intervene on behalf of many patients and advocate for them to get through the transplant process. And I also donated a kidney to my best friend’s sister in 2004 and had to pressure transplant staff to complete the transplant evaluation. Sorry situation but thank god my husband and my patients have me and my fearless big mouth to educate transplant centers that they will not treat my patients callously.
The National Kidney Registry does a mix and max program. My husband’s son was not a match. He donated a kidney which allowed my husband to get a good match for him. The NKR has a “Kidney for Life” philosophy. You do need someone to donate a kidney on your behalf. Sorry that I perhaps didn’t make it clear that a person must donate a kidney for the Registry to work.
I know a lot of transplant centers have the cut-off for a deceased kidney transplant at 72. But I also know personally of a friend that had a transplant with a living donor at 74.
I am almost 25 years out from my transplant from a deceased donor. I am 74 and am living the good life. I can only encourage you to go forward for a transplant. My LIFE is so full with family and friends! I "almost" forget that I had a transplant. My body is on cruise control with quarterly labs and yearly nephrology appointments. I am doing fantastic due to God above and my HERO Ryan!
I was 67 years old, in end-stage kidney failure, and overweight when I had my transplant at NYU Hospital in NYC. Yes, I’m a woman. Yes, I lead a relatively sedentary lifestyle. I suggest you speak to another transplant center, as their criteria varies from place to place.
Again thank you all! I am encouraged about the age issue after hearing from all of you. And I want to make it clear, I was, and am treated WONDERFULLY by the transplant team at Baylor Medical in Dallas. They are first class all the way and never mentioned age, except to say they took a kidney from an 80+ person recently after my husband inquried if he was too old to donate. The local transplant center tells you in the brochure 59-1/2 is the cutoff for donation.
Yes, it is a matter of how much funding the hospital has and how much competition they have as to what they can offer a patient. There is only one transplant center in my region. Baylor is one of seven in their region. The local center is my backup plan as I am 5 hours away from Baylor, and my long term follow up will be from this region. I was just shocked by what the surgeon said, his attitude and sadly, yes, his unprofessional looks when I went for my evaluation with him last week. He did not even have me lay down to look at my belly, which is not surprising but certainly not how I was treated in Dallas.
Again, I am so grateful to all of you and wish you life's best going forward!
I had my transplant at 67, last September. My daughter was the donor. Getting through the approval process was difficult. I am not overweight, not a big exercise person and while on dialysis getting enough exercise was difficult. You will really need to do everything they ask of you and more if you want to make this happen. Healthy diet and exercise, promising bloodwork results, support network etc. that’s what they are looking for. The transplant centers have to keep their success rate statistics high and that’s what we are, a statistic 🤨
I’m 63 and also in need - I also am worried about age but don’t let it stop you - you are your best advocate just keep calling and put signs up everywhere that you need a kidney if your son doesn’t match. You will be shocked at how many people will get tested. My pra is like 90 so a match is unlikely but I’m not letting that stop me. Go go it. I exercise 4-5 days a week ride a bike and walk a few times a week and my coordinator also told me I’m not in very good shape. I thought I’m in better shape than you are at like 30 - I think they tell us that do our expectations aren’t to high. Go it it chin up and keep on seeking.
Again, thanks to everyone who responded. I am very encouraged. I continue to lose weight, my BMI is now 31.5. My gfr has actually gone up (yeah!) to its best in over a year and my heart is just fine according to every test they have given me. My son is working on his issues and losing weight, so I am very hopeful we will both be in good shape and can do this. I pray for all of you and wish you a very healthy future.
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Handling life after the transplant 
