Do’s and Don’ts After a Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant may provide a second chance of life for people who are battling kidney failure. The process of transplanting kidneys is a significant event for any patient, but post-surgical management should not be ignored. Appropriate precautions, healthy living, and continuous medical checkups will increase the chances of having a successful kidney transplant.

Patients who seek treatment in a renowned Kidney Transplant hospital in Hisar are advised about all the precautions for the post-surgery phase.

At Sarvesh Health City, the medical team aims to facilitate the recovery of each person who has undergone a kidney transplant while helping them establish a healthy lifestyle. Educating patients regarding the essential do’s and don’ts of post-kidney transplant life may help to minimize complications and provide the best long-term outcomes possible.

Why Is Post-Transplant Care So Important?

After the transplant, the new kidney may be perceived by the body as an object belonging to another alien race. The body will also produce antibodies to destroy the new system. Therefore, most patients will begin taking immunosuppressive medications that will drastically suppress the immune system of the patient. In addition to using medications, patients need to live a healthy lifestyle and avoid any type of infection to preserve their new kidney.
By practicing the right habits, patients will have:

• Improved kidney function
• Lower risk of rejection
• Fewer infections
• Faster recovery time
• Increased life expectancy

Understanding how to take care of yourself after a kidney transplant is important to maintain long-term kidney health and overall well-being.
What You Should Do After Receiving a New Kidney

1) Follow Your Prescribed Medication Plan
Not taking your immunosuppressive medications properly is very common among patients who have had a kidney transplant. If you don't take medication as prescribed, you have a higher risk of rejecting your transplanted kidney. Here is how to take your medications as prescribed:

• Take your medications at the same time each day
• Follow your medication schedule
• Never change your dosage without consulting your healthcare provider

If you experience any side effects from your medications you should let your healthcare provider know as soon as possible

Your kidney specialist will be able to properly monitor your laboratory values in order to make adjustments to your medications if necessary.

2) Make Sure To Go To All Of Your Doctor's Follow-Up Appointments
Follow-up appointments will allow your healthcare provider the opportunity to monitor your kidney function and identify any complications that could occur after your transplant. Your healthcare provider may do blood work, urine tests and monitor your blood pressure at each visit.

You will have more frequent follow-up appointments early in your recovery, but as you continue to recover your follow-up appointments will become less frequent.

3) Practice Good Hygiene
Because immunosuppressive medications lower your immune function you are at a greater risk for getting infections. Practicing good hygiene will help you avoid infections.
Here are some examples of how to keep good hygiene practices:

• Wash your hands on a regular basis
• Keep your surgical site clean
• As much as possible avoid large crowds of people while you are recovering
• Wear a mask if you are in a high-risk area
• Take care of your mouth and teeth

By taking these simple precautions, your risk of getting an infection will be greatly decreased.

4) Maintain A Healthy And Balanced Diet
Eating good nutrition will help heal your body and will keep your transplanted kidney healthy.
Patients should eat the following types of foods:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Lean meats (chicken, turkey, and fish)
• Use less salt whenever possible
• Drink plenty of fluids

5) Be Physically Active
Light physical activity will enhance circulation, strengthen muscles and promote healing of the body after surgery.
Patients may begin to do the following:

• Walking
• Stretching Exercises
• Gentle Yoga
• Low Impact Activities

Heavy lifting and/or strenuous exercise should not be resumed until otherwise noted by your physician.

6) Monitor Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar
Having high blood pressure and/or diabetes can cause damage to your transplanted kidney over an extended period of time. Regular monitoring of these two issues will allow us to catch problems early on and address them accordingly.
Patients need to maintain the following:

• Healthy BP levels
• Controlled BS levels
• Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Lifestyle management plays a critical role in the long-term success of your transplant.

7) Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated helps your transplanted kidney to function correctly. Proper hydration through drinking plenty of water helps flush toxins out of your body while keeping your kidneys functioning properly.
Every physician will give their own guidelines regarding how much fluid intake is appropriate based on each individual patient’s needs.

Top 10 Don’ts After A Kidney Transplant

1) Don’t Skip Your Medications
One of the biggest mistakes that can be made after receiving a kidney transplant is skipping an anti-rejection medication. Even missing one dose could have a negative impact on the function of your kidney.
Patients should never stop taking their medications without first consulting your transplantation specialist.

2) Avoid Cigarettes and Alcohol
Smoking negatively impacts blood vessels and blood flow to the kidneys. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can also adversely affect medication use and recovery.
Stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake improves transplant outcomes dramatically.

3) Don't Ignore Infection Symptoms
If you are a transplant recipient, it's critical that you let your physician know as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Swelling
• Painful urination
• Chronic cough
• Extreme fatigue
• Low urine output

Getting treated early may prevent very serious complications.

4) Avoid Unhealthy Eating Habits
Eating too many foods with high salt and sugar content, as well as an excessive amount of unhealthy fats, may have a negative effect on the health of your kidneys.
Patients should try to limit their consumption of:

• Fast Foods
• Soft Drinks
• Highly Salty Snacks
• Raw or Undercooked Foods
• Dairy Products that have not been Pasteurized

Being careful with food safety is especially essential due to a compromise in the immune system.

5) Do Not Self-Medicate
Some types of over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and pain medications can cause damage to kidneys that have been transplanted as well as may adversely affect medications that have been prescribed.
Always speak with your physician prior to taking any new prescription or over-the-counter medication or herbal product.

6) Avoid Stress and Not Getting Enough Sleep
Your emotional and mental health have a very strong impact upon your recovery. Experiencing chronic stress can negatively impact your immune system and increase your blood pressure.
Belonging to a healthy lifestyle includes the following:

• Getting Adequate Sleep
• Practicing Relaxation Techniques
• Staying in Touch with Family and Friends
• Seeking Professional Counseling if Needed

7) Discover the Warning Signs of Rejection
There are many ways to detect a kidney rejection. Some of these signs and symptoms might appear, but the person might otherwise feel fine.
Examples of rejection symptoms are:

• Legs and/or face swelling
• An excessive increase in body weight
• Elevated blood pressure
• A fever
• Pain around the transplant location
• A noticeable decrease in the amount of urine output

Any time the patient has one of these problems, he or she should obtain medical attention immediately.

Long-Term Care After Kidney Transplant

Patients must commit themselves to a lifetime of healthy habits, and regular medical visits, in order to ensure a successful kidney transplant. Most patients who adhere strictly to their physician's instructions will be able to live actively and fully for many years following their transplant.
Long-term care consists of:

• Regular screenings for any potential health issues
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Staying active
• Controlling chronic illnesses
• Following a recommended diet
• Taking medications as prescribed

Patients who have access to professional healthcare services provided by trained professionals will be able to improve their quality of life significantly.

Conclusion

Recovery from a kidney transplant involves more than healing from surgery. It takes commitment, discipline, and patient follow-up with healthcare professionals. By following a few dos and don'ts you can preserve the transplanted kidney, helping to make it as successful as possible for many years or the remainder of your life.
Sarvesh Health City has also become one of the leading sources to obtain quality kidney care and advanced kidney transplant treatment in Hisar. Patients can feel confident in the knowledgeable staff and advanced technology available for medical, surgical, and clinical kidney care.