after surgery

[Countryclub]

scheduled for transplant next week. How long after surgery before I can get back to normal living?

[Blackmidnight]

Congratulations!

[OperationKidney]

It depends heavily on how everything goes, how quickly your body takes to the transplanted kidney, etc. Everyone is different so unfortunately there's no solid answer. But congratulations and best wishes!!

[Blue-Quilter]

I think it depends on how you define "normal." Your doctor can probably give you a pretty good estimate. But remember, while a transplant is the best treatment for kidney failure, it is not a cure. You're trading a set of known issues for a new, unknown set of issues.

I was told I would have to take three months off from work, and while I was on my feet all day, I didn't do a lot of heavy lifting in my old job. I was re-hospitalized ten days after going home due to the incision getting infected, so that slowed my recovery a bit. Six weeks after I returned to work, the quarantine for the covid-19 pandemic hit, and I was laid off. I was hospitalized twice more before the summer was over and I started a new job. Now at three years post- transplant, I'm just beginning to feel "normal."

I have definitely had some good days in the interim, but my energy level never improved like I had heard it would from my brothers who both had transplants before I did. They had to be reminded by their wives to slow down and take it easy. The "brain fog" still hasn't completely gone away, but it has improved over the last year. I've had lots of issues with the anti-rejection meds and I've also had MANY infections that take a toll. My brothers have not.

But on the positive side, I did my first 5K ever this past September, and I can walk up the five flights of stairs on my way to work without stopping to catch my breath now, something that would have been impossible before the transplant.

Everyone is different. If you're looking for "the average recovery," I'd say give yourself three months, assuming you don't have any setbacks. You may be like my brothers and be ready to conquer the world the day you go home. Or you may be more like me, and have a slower recovery. The important thing is to listen to your body, and if something feels off, speak up. It's also important to listen to your spouse if they tell you to slow down!

[Darlenia in reply to Blue-Quilter]

My hubby got his transplant later in life (age 71). We were jubilant and never thought about the possibility for the complications (a-fib, drop foot, ureter leak, utis, etc.). Oddly, we didn't even notice the "transplant fixit wing" on the floor until my hubby wound up there. It's such a complex procedure - some move through it smoothly whereas others have complications. It was all peachy until it was the pits! But now, thankfully, he's fine.

[Countryclub in reply to Darlenia]

I’m 66 and hopeful. Thanks for the info.

[Darlenia in reply to Countryclub]

Then you're like us...a little older. It's wonderful that you have this opportunity coming to you. It seems you have a living donor and, in that situation, the complications are often lower. If they do occur, know that you are in the best of hands - transplant centers are equipped with superspecialists! My hubby has a deceased donor kidney and things went a bit upside down for us. At our age, it's wise not to wait when things seem "off". My husband resisted at one point to his detriment. But he's bounced back well. Wishing you a fabulous outcome!

[Transplant2018]

Everyone's recovery is so different. I was extremely fortunate that I recovered very quickly and was back to work and normal activities within a few weeks, feeling energetic and healthy for the first time in a long time. One thing that I think helped my recovery was that I walked every day - not very far at first, but soon up to a few miles a day. Best of luck to you!

[DexterLab]

Your transplant team will have some information. For me, they had two main points. One, the incision needs to heal. I was restricted from lifting anything over 10 pounds and from driving. The concern is about avoiding a hernia. The second point was about the immunosuppression. Your immune system is knocked flat for the transplant and takes time, 2 months or so, to get active again. They wanted me to avoid most people for that time. And this was before Covid.

On the other hand, my kidney recovery was quick. In the 4 days I was in the hospital, my kidney function got back to normal, and I felt much better. Doctors wanted me to start walking right away, and that was good exercise. I could make the hike in to the transplant center from the parking lot within a week. I was back to work in about 3 months. Congratulations on your upcoming transplant and good luck.

[Palmtreeguy]

As others say, depends on your definition of normal. I was 75 at the time of transplant and the first 6 months were hard. Then it got much easier. You will have to get used to following a medical regimen daily - medication, diet, regular blood tests and visits to your Transpant Team. I have to watch closely to what I eat so not as to gain weight, no concentrated sugar to avoid diabetes and stuff like that. so, in those respects, it is a different way of life. A lot of rules ( don;t get too much sun, don't use the sauna, ) but the normal things of life you can do.

[Hidden]

Hello Country club! Congratulations! I had a transplant in August. If you are in relatively decent shape, you will likely find the transplant procedure very tolerable. The challenge is in dealing with a suppressed immune system. Remember: You will be given a very high dise of immunosuppression at the time fo transplant. (In my case, 500mg of Prednisone.) About 5 or so days after transplant. I got c-diff. I also had another infection in my peritoneum, which Infectious Disease doctors thought was more likely due to a migration of white blood cells related to the procedure. I had been on PD dialysis. So, my urologist removed my PD cath about 3-4 days after transplant. I was put on antibiotics for both. Upon returning home, I encountered c-diff again and a UTI, which led to pylo-nephritis in the new kidney. This required extended oral antibiotics as well as 2 weeks of IV antibiotics. During this time, my blood results eventually led to a decrease of immunosuppressants, especially when I tested positive for BK virus a few weeks ago. In the meantime, my energy level has been variable, but is approaching normal as I am presently on the lowest dosages of immunosuppression since I started them mid August. All of this has been to say, expect the unexpected. Eventually, you will recognise one day that you feel great and "normal" again! God bless and I wish you the best with your transplant!

[JackN]

Everyone is different. I drove after about two weeks (when I stopped needing opioids) and went back to work after three (I have a desk job). I started walking longer and longer distances soon after I got home (up to about 1/2 mile). Lots of various immunosuppressant drugs at the beginning but down to the usual two after a month or two.

[Parkerbarker]

First 2 months hell,third month semi hell 4th month al.ost back to normal with occasional setbacks.