Recovery and Next Steps

Transplantation

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Recovery and Next Steps After Kidney Transplant Surgery

After kidney transplant surgery, patients remain in the hospital for four to six days on average. After discharge from the hospital, patients will return for frequent follow-up visits. These will include:

physical examinations,
blood and urine tests,
diagnostic testing (such as ultrasound),
and review of medications.

Patients' primary care physicians will also be involved in follow-up care, and routine health maintenance is important, including dental care with antibiotic prophylaxis, annual eye exams and, for women, gynecologic care.

Resuming Activities

During the weeks or few months immediately after surgery, it is normal to feel tired and to need extra rest. The transplant team recommends that patients go out or visit with friends if they feel up to it, but not to overdo activity to the point of becoming exhausted. Depending on the medications patients are taking, they may be unable to drive for several weeks. Good nutrition and daily exercise are important to a successful recovery.

Most patients recover fully and are able to return to work or school within a few months. Life after kidney transplantation will involve many changes, however. These include:

new medication regimens
possible travel restrictions during the first year
extra precautions regarding sun exposure, infections, and more
avoiding pregnancy for some women
dietary changes in some cases.

Immunosuppressant Medications

After transplantation, patients will need to take immunosuppressant medications to prevent rejection of the donor kidney. Patients must be diligent about adhering to their medication regimens, as they are important to the long-term success of the transplant operation.

Drug regimens are tailored to the needs of each person, but usually patients take several medications to prevent rejection. These medications may make patients more susceptible to infection, particularly in the first few months when higher doses are needed. However, for the first several months to one year after transplantation, patients also take medications to prevent viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.

One type of anti-rejection medication, corticosteroids, are associated with unwanted side effects, so doctors at NewYork-Presbyterian have developed medication regimens that avoid the use of long-term steroid therapy.