Hi Bob,
I have 4 kidneys. My native kidneys shut down as a result of my liver. I received a liver and kidney transplant on February 10,2021. The new kidney let me down so I was blessed and received a second kidney transplant on November 12,2021 that works great. They told me that when the other 3 die they will just shrivel and die. Leaving them there unless they create a problem down the road.
That is my story, but as we all know, each of us has a unique story to play out. Good luck and prayers to you 🙏

Hi Bob,
I, too, have PKD. I had one kidney removed at time of transplant three years ago, and second PKD kidney removed a year ago in February. I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER!! My transplanted kidney works better, now that my body is not trying to process the icky stuff my PKD kidneys were putting into my system. The flank pain is gone (not immediate, took a little time). I can breathe better (kidney not squishing my lung) and I feel all over better.

I had the first kidney removed through open procedure and second kidney removed laparoscopically. The recovery for the first one was much longer due to the long incision, and because I was also healing from kidney transplant. I felt like a gutted fish and recovery was months. The second removal was done laparoscopically, at Mayo by Dr Prieto, and the recovery was amazingly easy. I was walking around within a week, with little pain.

My advice to anyone having a PKD kidney removed is: I would do it but insist that it is done laparoscopically. Even if this means rescheduling your surgery with a doctor, who will agree to do it that way. There is no comparison to open and laparoscopic. I suggest Dr Prieto, because he is so experienced with PKD kidneys - and PKD kidneys are a different beast. Self-advocate for a surgeon that can do this in the healthiest way for you. Dr Prieto, not only did it laparoscopically but he also used an old c-section scar to remove the actual kidney. He said he could also have removed it from my old kidney transplant scar. He was committed to causing me th least amount of pain, and scar tissue does not experience pain. I did not want incision to cut through my stomach muscles again, like the first time because the recovery took so much longer and was painful. I was scared before second removal and questioning, whether I should leave well enough, alone. I am so glad I had the courage to get it removed. I feel so much healthier and stronger since I did.
Please feel free to respond with any other specific questions you have, because this is a topic near and dear to my heart. I was terrified to do it and the people on Connect, who had PKD, encouraged and supported me through it. And I am soooo glad I did!
Blessings!