DAL73n

I am considering becoming a kidney donor for a relative - does anyone know the ramifications (I would consult with the proper authorities before I would actually do this) for the first class. Just starting to do some due diligence.

Thanks,

rickair7777

I can't imagine there would be any issues. One kidney works just fine.

But get it in writing from OKC.

uvmflier

DAL73 I admire you immensely.

Grumble

Different procedure, same considerations:

I looked at being a bone marrow donor when I got called as a match for a patient. After talking to the docs, I was told that I would be med down for 3-6 months following the procedure. The real show stopper was the litanny of potential complications afterward that would medically ground me forever. Ultimatley my Commanding Officer put the nix on it before I could make the descision. (I was one of a dozen positive matches, several rogered up, so they wern't left out in the cold). My point being that the procedure itself may not be your biggest hurdle to getting back in the cockpit, but complications that could arise later. I would call OKC and talk directly to the horse, get it from their mouth. Also call your Union and ask their doctors, as well as your AME.

DAL73n

Plan to do all of the above - just wanted to get some info from some of the many contributors to this board before I started official inquiries. I will definitely get all of it in writing before I would even proceed.

acl65pilot

DAL73N. I too admire what you are considering.

DAL73n

I will share the final information I received as relates to this subject.

The FAA requires a minimum of 30 days down time after the donation surgery. After thirty days ( and with a letter of health from the advising nephrologist (that's a kidney doctor) and appropriate blood results showing a fully functioning remaining kidney) you can apply to the FAA through your AME to return to flying. The AME is only required to forward this to his regional director (not OKC) in order to get the clearance. I was told that the FAA looks very favorably on people doing this service so as long as there are no complications it should be a very straight forward return to fly. And, for those of you at Delta, as long as it has been less than 4 months and you are current you just go back to flying.

I will finish with a caveat for anyone doing anything - Always verify information for your personal situation with reliable sources before acting on anything.

Thanks for all the support.

Bustin

DAL73n, as a kidney recipient myself I want to tell you how much I admire you just considering that operation. My little sister donated to me in March of this year. I can't speak from experience on getting your medical back as a donor but I would presume, and it seems supported by your most recent post, that the process of returning after donating a kidney shouldn't be that difficult. I've learned a lot about the process in the last 2 years and come to find out that studies show kidney donors have zero long term effects (complications from any major surgery aside). In fact, there are some studies that show a possible link to a longer life to kidney donors for psychological reasons.

I received a transplant, a more invasive surgery with, obviously, many more long term negative side effects. I'm in the process of getting my medical back right now. I'm told as long as my labs show good function in the new kidney I should get the green light. Again, a presumption of mine, I would think that if a recipient can get their medical back simply with good labs and favorable notes from the nephrologist that a donor should have no issues whatsoever.

Good for you for even thinking about that. It's a gift that goes far beyond words and can never be repaid.

MeLu

Wow a kidney donor you are amazing to pass on a kidney for a relative. You should be named as a hero pilot really. Without doubts. I am having a pain in my kidney a little bit since three months, and spoke with my capt brother and he had contacted a hospital for me in our Europe, but that is a criminal case associated with someones stealing, and a town of a person's origin will provide me with a hospital. But for a female helicopter pilot occasionally it is different I can forget flying further unless my kidney pains will stop. Wow, you are so brave giving the kidney to your relative unbelievable. I just wish to hear more of such a brave stories. Melu

pietro

Having been a donor and gone through the (hell) of getting a medical (3x since donation) I can safely say that this both false and misleading. The FAA has been nothing but difficult each and every time I've renewed my medical.

My labs and doctors are perfect. No issue with the donation itself (and the recipient is well, too). The FAA, on the other hand, has been nothing but recalcitrant, unhelpful, and, well, clueless.

Be a donor because you want to. It is the gift that keeps on giving, both good (recipient lives) and bad (FAA medical issues).