Transplant Metabolic Program

At Loyola Medicine, we believe that everyone in need of a kidney transplant deserves a new chance at life. Body size has traditionally been a barrier to transplant for many. We are committed to helping you achieve a healthier weight to not only improve your overall health, but also expand the life of your new kidney.

People with a high body mass index (BMI), at many transplant centers in the United States, are not eligible for kidney transplants. A BMI of above 36 Kg/m2 is the conventional limit.

Loyola's transplant metabolic program has the ability to evaluate potential kidney transplant recipients regardless of BMI. We work with you to ensure a safe and durable transplant experience.

Lowering the Risks of Transplants

For patients who are obese, losing weight can be the hardest barrier in qualifying for a transplant. We understand that challenge, and that's why Loyola Medicine offers a comprehensive transplant metabolic program to improve quality of life and prepare patients for a safe transplant.

Transplantation for obese patients can be challenging. We reduce surgical risk by using robotic surgery, minimizing wound infection by utilizing small incisions and performing the surgery with instruments that mimic the surgeon's movement.

The metabolic transplant program aims to prepare patients for a successful transplant. While on the waiting list for either a living or deceased donor organ, the transplant metabolic program and its multidisciplinary team will work on improving your health to increase the chances of a successful and long-lasting transplant.

Reducing weight will improve metabolic disorders by reducing:

• cholesterol and glucose levels
• sleep apnea
• peripheral vascular and pulmonary hypertension
• arthritis
• cancer risk associated with obesity
• frailty associated with obesity

The program will also provide a better post-transplant result by preserving the kidney from future damage.

Some individuals – those who have accumulated long wait times – can proceed to robotic transplantation while continuing to work medically on weight loss.  Those who carry extra weight after a successful transplant would also benefit from medical or surgical weight loss.

Where Compassionate Healing Begins

There are risks to performing a transplant on patients who are obese. Excessive weight is very often linked to other conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes. That's why our team of experts at the Loyola Medicine transplant metabolic program will guide you on your journey to weight loss, transplant and recovery.

The Unique, Loyola Medicine Approach

Why choose the Loyola Medicine transplant metabolic program?

Loyola focuses on compassionate, team-based patient care. The transplant and bariatric teams work together to provide the best possible outcomes.

From dietary resources to mental health work to bariatric surgery (if necessary), you will not only lose weight, but also gain the tools you need to live a healthy life for many years to come.

What kind of treatment can be expected?

You may have tried losing weight before, but were unable to keep it off. At Loyola Medicine, you can expect complete support on your weight loss journey. You will meet with dietitians to help with learning good nutrition, psychologists to discuss mental health issues and bariatric surgeons to guide you to the personalized options.

Will I need surgery to lose weight?

Surgical: Every patient is different. Bariatric surgery is one option we use to not only help patients lose weight, but keep it off. Of course, this is just one tool.

Non-Surgical: If we believe surgery is not necessary, we will provide you with all the information and support needed for you to be successful in your weight lost journey. The program will also focus on nutrition, exercise and the use of medications that have provided a NEW avenue for weight loss.

One such medication, the GLP-1 receptor agonist, has revolutionized the way that we lose weight today. By mimicking GLP-1, a hormone that reduces hunger, it helps people feel full faster and longer after a meal. Combined with diet and exercise, patients may lose weight faster.

Multidisciplinary, 360-degree Approach to Weight Loss

The Loyola Medicine Transplant Metabolic Program takes a 360-degree approach to your care, providing experts from multiple fields all in one place. During the evaluation you may meet with multiple specialists, including:

• medical bariatrician who will answer your questions
• dietitian to provide lifelong results
• psychologist who specializes in weight loss
• cardiologist and pulmonologist for patients who have cardiopulmonary conditions

During follow-up visits, you will meet with the transplant team and a bariatric provider.