What should you expect after a kidney transplant?
- Immediately after a kidney transplant
- After being discharged from the hospital
- Taking care of your new kidney
Did you know that the global prevalence of chronic kidney disease is 13.4% and there are 4.9 to 7 million people with kidney failure (also known as end-stage renal disease)? Kidney failure occurs when a person’s kidneys cannot properly filter waste products from the blood anymore. The two primary treatment options for kidney failure are hemodialysis and kidney transplant. Given that a lifetime of hemodialysis is a highly unfavorable choice for patients, many chose to go get a kidney transplant instead. In this article, we take a closer look into what to expect after a kidney transplant.
What Is A Kidney Transplant?
Before learning about what to expect after a kidney transplant, it’s important to learn what exactly is kidney failure and what is a kidney transplant first.
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are about the size of a fist. These are located just underneath the rib cage. The main function of kidneys is to filter waste and extra fluids from the body. The kidneys also maintain the balance of salts and minerals in the blood.
Once the kidneys fail on filtration, harmful levels of waste and fluids build up in the body. The chemical composition of blood becomes imbalanced as well. As a result, chronic kidney disease or worse, kidney failure occurs. When a patient has kidney failure, his or her kidneys are functioning at 10% less of their normal ability. This means the kidneys are barely functioning or not functioning at all. To stay alive, a patient with kidney failure needs to remove the waste build-up through a kidney transplant.
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure that involves replacing kidneys that are longer functioning properly with healthy kidneys. A healthy kidney can be donated by either a living or deceased donor.
A kidney transplant is an invasive operation and knowing what to expect from it is important to help patients get back to their normal day-to-day activities smoothly. Continue reading to learn about what to expect after a kidney transplant.
Immediately After A Kidney Transplant
Immediately after a kidney transplant operation, patients can expect to experience abdomen soreness or pain around the incision area. You will remain admitted while doctors and nurses monitor the status of your kidney and keep a close watch for infections or complications. They will also check if the new kidney can produce urine properly.
While admitted to the hospital, you can also expect to be given immunosuppressant drugs and other medications. These aim to keep the body from rejecting the kidney and minimize the risk of infections.
The hospital recovery period for those who undergo kidney transplant typically ranges from 4 to 5 days, or less if there are no complications. However, the length of your stay will still depend on your unique medical needs.
After Being Discharged From The Hospital
After being discharged from the hospital and while recovering, those who had a kidney transplant can expect to attend frequent checkups for several weeks. You may also need to accomplish blood tests. It is crucial to monitor how well the new kidney is functioning. The body should not be rejecting it.
During this time, you may need to make arrangements for travel to the transplant center. If you live far, you might need to consider nearby accommodations. If you live near, you should consider getting a driver.
On top of that, after getting discharged, you will need to continue taking immunosuppressant drugs and other medications to ensure your body does not reject the new kidney. As stated earlier, this is also the key to reducing infections and other dangerous health complications.
Taking Care of Your New Kidney
Those who undergo a kidney transplant will be provided specific recovery guidelines by their doctor. Some of the care instructions you can expect to be given include the following:
- Time off work for about 6 to 8 weeks
- Get enough sleep
- Avoid heavy lifting
- Avoid driving
- Keep the incision area clean and dry
- Take the prescribed medications on time and problem
- Wash your hands regularly (the medications for ensuring the kidney does not reject by the body can suppress the immune system and make it harder to fight off diseases)
- Follow the special meal plan provided by your dietitian
- Drink plenty of water
Seek immediate medical care if you have infections, bleeding, fever, vomiting, nausea, and urinary problems. These can be signs that your body is rejecting the new kidney.
Key Takeaway
In this article, we’ve discussed further what to expect after a kidney transplant. The success rate for kidney transplant is high, with 97% of kidney transplants functioning properly only a month after the operation. As you recover from the procedure, you can expect to have an improved quality of life.
If you are a candidate for kidney transplant, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Perpetual Help Medical Center — Las Pinas. Our Kidney Transplant Unit is accredited by the Department of Health and aims to provide the best possible care for kidney transplant patients. Click here to contact PHMC Las Pinas!
