How to Recover From a Kidney Transplant at Home

Receiving a new kidney is considered major surgery. Expect an at-home recovery period that lasts up to six weeks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Immunosuppressants
• Blood Pressure Monitors
• Glucometer
• Scales
• Sunscreen
• Thermometers

1. Evaluate yourself daily for signs of rejection and/or infection.
2. Take your post-transplant medications exactly as ordered. Do not skip a dose, crush your pills or double your dosage. Missing even two days worth of medicine can result in kidney rejection.
3. Protect yourself against ultraviolet rays. Your skin will be more prone to cancer because of your medication.
4. Avoid salt and alcoholic beverages. Salt encourages fluid retention, and alcohol is harmful to your kidneys, especially in combination with certain kidney-transplant drugs.
5. Avoid vigorous exercise for the first six weeks. You should, however, move your legs around when you are lying in bed, to help prevent blood clots from forming.
6. Take pain relievers as seldom as possible after the first four to seven days.
7. Resume your daily activities as soon as you feel up to it. But use common sense - don't lift heavy objects, don't strain your incision, and avoid any sports or activities that might injure your kidney.
8. Take a stool softener if you are constipated, as recommended by your doctor.
9. Check and record your blood pressure and temperature before breakfast and dinner, as recommended by your transplant coordinator. Notify your coordinator if your temperature is over 99.6 degrees F.
10. Weigh yourself once a day, at the same time each day. Notify your transplant coordinator of a weight gain of more than two pounds a week.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the Transplant Recipients International Organization, at [phone], for additional information about living with a kidney transplant.
• Check your blood sugar four times a day if you are diabetic. After transplant, insulin dosages frequently have to be adjusted.
• Talk to a counselor or join a transplant support group. Recovering from this procedure is scary, and it helps to share your feelings.
• Call your doctor at any sign of rejection, infection, swelling, fluid retention or vomiting.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.