Permanent hemodialysis access

Before you can start dialysis, your doctor will need to create a vascular access. This is a place where the blood can flow in and out of your body during your dialysis sessions. Your doctor will prepare the vascular access weeks to months before dialysis starts. It's important to get your access as soon as your doctor says to. This allows your access to heal before you use it.

For dialysis to work best, the access needs to have a good, steady blood flow. It also must be sturdy since it will be used often, usually 3 times every week.

Hemodialysis is a way to remove wastes from the blood when your kidneys can no longer do the job. It's a lifesaving treatment when you have kidney failure. Hemodialysis is often called dialysis.

Learning about vascular access and dialysis can help you take an active role in your treatment. Dialysis doesn't cure kidney disease. But it can help you live longer and feel better. You will need to follow your diet and treatment schedule carefully.

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
• Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don’t have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It’s a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.