@colleenyoung - hello, They do like to keep it in if there are no problems I’m told. But mine was so big and loud that it kept me awake most of the time so they agreed to remove it. I’m very happy it’s out as I sleep a little better. It was very painful. Swelling and pain was a big issue. I had mine done at UCSF in San Francisco. I had to hold my arm up when walking around as having it down was extremely painful. When I went back the following week, they wrapped my arm in an ace bandage and had me buy a sling. My hand swelled twice in size. Also I had horrible pain in my hand and had to go to PT for it. Trouble closing my hand. Finally almost a year later, I can open and close my hand without pain or discomfort. That big long bulge is gone except they left a stump at the beginning of it. I do have a quarter size stump there which is kinda hard and about an inch tall. I was told since I have lymphedema in my left arm, if I am ever in need of dialysis again, they cannot use it. That’s the down side. I’m not sure where they will put one….maybe do a line in my neck. I’m counting on my new kidney lasting a long time.