EP7: The Autotransplant

Welcome back to the NCS Podcast!In this episode, I take a deep dive into all things kidney autotransplant—the surgery I personally opted for. As of this recording, I’m three months post-op. My surgery took place on December 19, 2024, at UW Health in Madison, WI, with Drs. Foley and Phillips, with Dr. Foley as the primary surgeon on my case.In the first half of this episode, I break down what a kidney autotransplant is and why someone might choose this route. I also explore alternative surgical options for those who may not find transplant surgery to be the right fit. Along the way, I take a side-quest into the way surgeons often cite "success percentages" without fully explaining what those numbers actually represent—and why they can be misleading. Many patients don’t return to their original surgeon when a surgery fails, meaning those failure cases often go unreported. This is why I strongly advise steering clear of surgeons who use these stats to bolster their own egos rather than providing a full picture of the risks and outcomes (12:54 - 18:55 time stamp).In the second half of this episode (starting at the 21:26 time stamp), I dive into the kidney autotransplant journey in detail. I walk you through the process of securing an in-patient appointment at UW Health, the surgery itself, and what you can expect—from anesthesia to the in-patient experience. I also share some unexpected aspects of my own recovery. My hope is that this information helps you (a) ease any anxiety you might have and (b) equip you with the right questions to ask your surgical team, so you can make the best decision for your own health.Thanks for tuning in—I hope you find this episode insightful!