Donating my kidney: Any tips? What do you wish you'd known?

Hi, I am in the process of being evaluated to be a kidney donor. I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences with donating and any possible complications they may have had? Also any complications with insurance after with only one kidney? Just curious what else I might want to be aware of? How did the process go for you, how was your recovery, etc.

@jessica1234 - Good Morning, and Welcome to Mayo Connect. We added your question to this existing discussion where members have shared their experiences with many of the same pre-donor concerns.
I am a liver and kidney recipient, and I will be happy to accompany you and connect you with others along the way.
While we wait for others to join in, I urge you to read through the conversations. Along with gaining information, you will also see other helpful discussions that are recommended along the way. for instance please note the discussion in which @mauraacro shares her journey from the hospital room after her kidney donation .Kidney transplant: - The Journey from the Donor's Side
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-from-the-donor-side/
Jessica, Thank you, for considering organ donation.

I want to introduce you to Tammi, @danhoe who donated a kidney to an unknown patient in May 2020.

@jessica1234 Congratulations! I would do it again if I could. I was very wordy in my posting about my process so I would go too much into that here but @rosemarya added a link to it.
I thought the evaluation was the most difficult part besides the waiting. So many tests in just a couple of days! Mayo was fantastic & I still can't believe how I could get to that many appointments so quickly.
The evaluation is just for you to determine if you're not only a good candidate for surgery but that you'll live a long healthy life with 1 kidney. There will be experts on the medical, psychological & financial sides so you can ask abour how it affects your insurance. I haven't had any problems with my insurance but I did switch Drs afterwards because my Drs solution to any questions I had about any routine care was to "call a nephrologist" which is not correct as I don't have kidney problems.
After surgery I stayed overnight & left the next morning. I went back a few days later for a few tests. I stayed near Mayo for a little over a week, not because I needed to but because it was a 5 hour flight back home & I wanted to be more comfortable. My job is physically demanding so I went back part time after a month & was full time shortly thereafter.
My best idea was to say yes to anyone that asked if they could help. Clean my house before I came home, yes. Bring over a meal or groceries, yes.
Whether you make it through the evaluation with flying colors or decide its not for you, this is an amazing thing you're doing. Even if it doesn't work out you will have so much information to pass onto people about the importance of donation.

Jessica, I am thankful you are being evaluated. I am almost 2 years out from my kidney donation and my view of the donation process remains the same. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I thought the evaluation was the most difficult part for me , although it was an eye opening experience and solidified my desire to donate. It gave me a small glimpse into what those that are awaiting donation go through all the time. The Mayo team is fantastic through the entire process and are there for you anytime after. So far I haven't had any post surgery issues with my health, insurance, etc. If I can answer any questions from my journey, please reach out to me.

Congratulations! It's the best decision you will ever make. April 26th will be 6 years since my donation. I am 67 years old and I have not had any medical issues from my donation. I was not at the Mayo Clinic, but in NYC. The surgical stay was 2 days. I was sore and tired when I went home, however I was fully back to myself in 3 weeks. I had no problems with my health insurance or health since. Just listen to the doctors advice. As others have said the surgery was actually easier than the process getting there. Take it easy in the beginning. In the event that you do not become a donor, you should be proud of yourself for the courage to be evaluated for this selfless act. I wish I could do it again and help someone else.