IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Speak with a Pancreas Transplant Representative:	832-355-3128
Toll-Free:	877-685-0361
International Patients:	832-355-3350

Before Transplant:
When does a patient need a pancreas transplant?
What patients are candidates for pancreas transplant?
What are the benefits of having both kidney and pancreas transplants?
Are Type II diabetics candidates for pancreas transplant?
What are the different types of pancreas transplant?
How does one determine if they are a candidate for pancreas or pancreas/kidney transplant?
What is the surgery like?

After Transplant:
How long are patients hospitalized after a pancreas transplant?
What medications will I be on after transplant?
How much will my medications cost?
Do I have to go back to the hospital after transplant?
May I return to work or school?
Healthy lifestyle after transplant

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When does a patient need a pancreas transplant?
Patients with Type I diabetes (juvenile onset) may be candidates for pancreas or kidney-pancreas transplant.  Type I diabetes results in the body’s failure to produce insulin.  Failure to produce insulin results in the cells not being able to take in and metabolize glucose. 

What patients are candidates for pancreas transplant?
Pancreas transplant candidates are insulin dependent diabetics that in spite of intensive management, have metabolic instability.

What are the benefits of having both kidney and pancreas transplants?
Patients with diabetes may have kidney failure due to complications of their disease.  In cases where Type I diabetics require a kidney transplant, the combined kidney-pancreas transplant can treat both their renal failure and the diabetes that causes it.

Are Type II diabetics candidates for pancreas transplant?
Type II diabetes (adult onset) involves the body’s inability to properly respond to insulin produced by the pancreas.  A diabetic must be insulin dependent and have frequent complications.  Patients will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

What are the different types of pancreas transplant?

• Solitary pancreas transplant
• Pancreas-after-kidney transplant
• Simultaneous living kidney/deceased pancreas transplant

How does one determine if they are a candidate for pancreas or pancreas/kidney transplant?
Kidney/Pancreas candidates are insulin dependent diabetics who also have impaired renal function. If a patient is on dialysis and is a diabetic, they may qualify for a Kidney/Pancreas transplant. A dialysis patient cannot receive a pancreas without also receiving a kidney. We will test and screen to assess the risk/benefit ration.

What is the surgery like?

• The surgery normally takes 4-6 hours
• The incision will be in the abdominal area and is usually Y shaped and 6-10 inches long.

After Transplant:

How long are patients hospitalized after pancreas transplant?

• After your transplant, you are typically in the hospital 10-14 days. Follow-up appointments are in the Transplant Clinic.
• If you live out of the Houston area, you are typically required to stay near St. Luke’s for 6 weeks post transplant so we can monitor your kidney and pancreas function and drug levels closely.
  

What medications will I be on after transplant?
Immunosuppression medications – These medications keep your body from fighting off your new organ. They may include Neoral, Prograf, Cellcept, Myfortic, Rapamune, and Prednisone
You may be on other mediations to control blood pressure and cholesterol, and on antibiotics and antivirals.  You may also go back on any pre-transplant medications to manage any other pre-existing conditions. 

How much will my medications cost?
Medication expenses vary according to your health insurance and any supplemental funding. If you need more assistance, please see the “Financial Considerations” tab.

Do I have to go back to the hospital after transplant?
(Clinics and lab work) – You will be followed closely initially in the transplant clinic.  Follow up with your nephrologist and endocrinologist after your transplant to make sure you remain healthy. Typically, patients are seen twice weekly and eventually the frequency of visits will be reduced.  You will need to have lab work done before each clinic visit.  Additional testing to monitor your health, kidney and pancreas function will vary from patient to patient.  You will be asked to follow up with your ophthalmologist.

May I return to work or school?
You may return to work or school about 8 to 12 weeks after transplant, depending on your kidney function and your response to medication.

Healthy lifestyle after transplant
There are several factors that will help you keep your new pancreas healthy.  It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle after transplant. You will need to exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet, and keep a weight that is healthy for your body frame.  Take your medications regularly and report any problems or side effects to the transplant team. You will also need to come to your scheduled clinic visits. Only you can help your transplant team monitor your care by keeping records of your blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, temperature and pulse.

Transplant affects people in different ways.  While it is not a cure, it will free you from dialysis and insulin shots.  For most patients, a transplant can give a better quality of life, health, more energy, and a less restrictive diet.  Transplantation also means patients must take medications for the rest of their life.  These anti-rejection medications are key to preserve the transplanted organ and allow patients to get back to their normal life and career.