Learn about Kidney Failure Treatment in Turkey — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Kidney Failure and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Kidney Failure

Kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is a critical condition where the kidneys permanently lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. A nephrologist manages this condition not with a single procedure, but through a comprehensive, lifelong treatment plan. The primary interventions include dialysis, either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, which mechanically performs the kidneys' filtering functions, or a kidney transplant, which replaces the failed organ. The nephrologist's role involves continuous monitoring, medication management (like erythropoietin for anemia and phosphate binders), dietary planning, and managing complications such as hypertension and bone disease. This integrated care approach is essential for sustaining life, managing symptoms, and improving the patient's overall quality of life.

Key Highlights

    Life-Sustaining Treatment: Dialysis or transplant replaces essential kidney function to remove toxins and excess fluid.Symptom Management: Effectively controls complications like fatigue, nausea, swelling, and high blood pressure.Improved Quality of Life: Allows patients to maintain daily activities and well-being despite kidney failure.listrongPersonalized Care Plans:/strong Treatment is tailored (dialysis type, medication, diet) to each patient's specific health status and lifestyle./lilistrongLong-Term Specialist Support:/strong Provides continuous monitoring and management by a kidney specialist (nephrologist)./li/ul

Who is this surgery for?

  • End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) where kidney function is typically below 15% of normal (GFR < 15 mL/min).
  • Severe symptoms of kidney failure unmanageable by medication alone, such as persistent nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or confusion (uremia).
  • Dangerously high levels of potassium, acid, or fluid in the blood that pose an immediate health risk.
  • Preparation for a kidney transplant while on the waiting list.
  • Acute kidney injury that does not recover and progresses to requiring permanent renal replacement therapy.

How to prepare

  • Vascular Access Creation: For hemodialysis, a minor surgery is needed weeks in advance to create a fistula, graft, or catheter.
  • Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement: A catheter is surgically placed into the abdomen for peritoneal dialysis.
  • Comprehensive Health Evaluation: Includes blood tests, imaging, and cardiac assessment to determine the safest treatment approach.
  • Dietary Counseling: Meeting with a renal dietitian to learn about fluid, potassium, phosphorus, and sodium restrictions.
  • Education & Training: Patients and caregivers are trained on the dialysis process, whether at a center or for home dialysis.
  • Psychological Support: Counseling to help cope with the diagnosis and the demands of long-term treatment.

Risks & possible complications

  • Dialysis-Related: Low blood pressure, muscle cramps, infections (especially at access sites), anemia, and bone disease.
  • Access Site Complications: Infection, clotting, or aneurysm formation in fistulas or grafts.
  • Cardiovascular Stress: Increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
  • Transplant-Specific Risks: Organ rejection, side effects from lifelong immunosuppressant medications (increased infection/cancer risk).
  • General Long-Term Risks: Nutritional deficiencies, depression, and a significant impact on quality of life and daily routine.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Immediate Post-Dialysis: Patients may feel tired; rest is advised. Vital signs are monitored for stability.
  • Access Site Care: Keeping the fistula, graft, or catheter site clean and dry to prevent infection is crucial.
  • Medication Adherence: Strictly following prescribed medications for blood pressure, anemia, and mineral balance.
  • Diet & Fluid Management: Adhering to renal dietary guidelines and fluid intake limits between dialysis sessions.
  • Regular Follow-ups: Frequent appointments with the nephrologist for lab tests and treatment plan adjustments.
  • Lifestyle Adaptation: Incorporating the treatment schedule (e.g., 3-4 times weekly dialysis) into daily life, with support for mental health.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 0-3 days (for access creation or transplant evaluation; dialysis is typically outpatient)
  • checked Expected recovery time: Ongoing/Lifelong (Initial adaptation to routine takes 4-8 weeks)

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering kidney failure in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for kidney failure compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India USD 163 – USD 544 0-3 days (for access creation or transplant evaluation; dialysis is typically outpatient) ~ Ongoing/Lifelong (Initial adaptation to routine takes 4-8 weeks) Know More
Turkey USD 1,208 – USD 4,026 0-3 days (for access creation or transplant evaluation; dialysis is typically outpatient) ~ Ongoing/Lifelong (Initial adaptation to routine takes 4-8 weeks) Know More

Top hospitals for Kidney Failure in Turkey

These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated nephrology teams and experience managing patients undergoing kidney failure.

Liv Hospital Ankara

  • IconIstanbul, Turkey
  • Icon140 Doctors

Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir

  • IconIstanbul, Turkey
  • Icon38 Doctors
PATIENT REVIEW

I'd been to three other doctors...

I'd been to three other doctors for this nagging pain and fatigue, and everyone just said it was stress. Dr. Sukanya was different. She actually sat and listened to the whole, messy story, asked about things no one else had, and ordered a specific test the others hadn't. Turns out it was something quite rare. She explained it to me in plain Tamil, drew a little diagram on her notepad. I felt heard for the first time, and finally had a path forward.

Nephrologists for Kidney Failure

Explore experienced nephrologists who regularly perform kidney failure and provide pre- and post-operative care in Turkey.

Dr. Himmet Bora Uslu
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Nephrologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Himmet Bora Uslu
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Nephrologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Himmet Bora Uslu
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Nephrologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Himmet Bora Uslu
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Nephrologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Himmet Bora Uslu
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Nephrologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Himmet Bora Uslu
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Nephrologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Himmet Bora Uslu
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Nephrologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Himmet Bora Uslu
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Nephrologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated