Selena Gomez’s kidney transplant almost killed her, says donor friend

Selena Gomez’s best friend and kidney donor Francia Raísa says that the kidney transplant that was supposed to save the singer almost killed her.

In an interview with W Magazine, Raísa opened up about how the pair both endured tough recoveries from the surgery.

“I didn’t want to eat, I didn’t want to drink anything. Selena did have a complication, too,” Raísa told W Magazine. “A few hours after our surgery, I woke up and had a text from her that said, ‘I’m really scared.’ My kidney was very active, and when she turned, she broke an artery.”

READ MORE: Selena Gomez says anxiety, depression a ‘battle’ she’ll face for ‘rest of my life’

Raísa had previously shared that Gomez’s second surgery took six hours to complete.

In the interview with W Magazine, Raísa said that they both did not immediately share the news of the transplant because they both had tough recoveries and were depressed.

READ MORE: Selena Gomez speaks out in 1st interview since kidney transplant

Raísa revealed that she landed the role of Yara Shadidi’s roommate on Grownish after auditioning for the part only two weeks after the surgery.

“I am beyond grateful that God would trust me with something that not only saved a life but changed mine in the process,” Raísa previously said.

READ MORE: Selena Gomez reveals she had a kidney transplant due to lupus

Gomez announced the news of her transplant on Instagram in September 2017. She shared a photo of herself and Raísa lying in hospital beds. “It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you,” Gomez captioned the post.

In October 2017, Gomez and Raísa opened up about the kidney transplant in an interview with Today.

0:20 Selena Gomez opens up about her life-saving kidney transplant

• Selena Gomez opens up about her life-saving kidney transplant
• Explaining the health issues of Selena Gomez and Lady Gaga
• Selena Gomez reveals she had kidney transplant after struggle with lupus

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“My kidneys were just done. That was it,” the tearful actress said. “I didn’t want to ask a single person in my life and that was the day, when I came home, I found out she volunteered and did it.”

“You feel that Francia saved your life,” Today host Savannah Guthrie said to the It Ain’t Me singer.

“Because she did. That’s it,” Gomez said. “I guess I got to the point where it was really, kind of, life or death.”