So I'm over 6 month post transplant, and as a part of my 3-component immunosuppression therapy I'm taking methylprednisolone (Medrol by Pfizer), 6mg. And my appetite is so unusually high! I'm almost always hungry. It takes me a lot of willpower and discipline not to eat everything, the app in which I put everything I ate in a day helps me a little bit, also I'm keeping healthy snacks available at home (vegetables, nuts, some dairy products as I'm not lactose intolerant). But I seem to gain weight.
I'm concerned because my blood sugar os somewhat ok (used to be 5 before medrol, now 6), and I workout a lot, but anyway my face became quite round and with puffy cheeks, and despite my whole body being quite toned (I workout regularly), my belly is bigger and super squishy and it seems like all the fat I have is in my belly. Transplant team says "Its ok, just don't gain a lot of weight". But I do not know what I'm doing wrong in this situation. Maybe my appetite is still high and I just cannot track all the calories I eat, or should I cut out some products? I've already cut out sweets with white sugar, but maybe it is not enough. Thank you in advance for your answers!
Written by
SoonToBeBald
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I’m right there with you sister. It’s the prednisone. Everyone on prednisone gets “Moon Face”. It’s the number one side effect. It also puts on belly fat.
I’m struggling with the weight gain too. I have to admit I enjoyed losing weight while I was sick, not having to do anything to achieve it. Now it’s back. I’m going to have to get really strict with myself.
I'm getting a lot of advice like 'you just should eat more protein and less carbs/fats, you eat to little protein. And exercise more', but, like, I understand it is okay for completely healthy person, but I do not want to endanger my new kidney with a lot of protein, so I keep it at 1g per 1kg of my weight (like < 70g a day). Also I have 2 cardio and 2 strength training per week, plus riding the bicycle and everyday walking, and I think that more intense activity is not good for the kidney as well, though I may be wrong.
It's a battle, isn't it. But one has to make sure one is getting enough protein. Protein is thermogenic which means it boosts metabolism and the burning of calories so it helps to keep weight in check. Then, in partnership with that, proteins are a satiating factor in reducing appetite for carbs and sugars that can also raise blood sugars. It's also a factor in keeping one's hair, skin, and hormones at good levels. And, as we all know, protein also helps prevent debilitating osteoporosis (which disproportionally affects women) So protein is a very important part of health and well-being. The Recommended Dietary Allowance for "sedentary women" is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. If you're active (as you are) and if you're older, the requirement becomes higher. It's easy to let our prior histories hobble our actions going forward. But I trust you've been gifted with a new kidney that apparently is well functioning. As for exercise, you're right - intense activity isn't good either for kidneys either. It can restrict blood flow through the kidneys, raise creatinine, etc. Why not check in with your nephrologist or other professional and see what they say? With a well functioning transplant, one should be able to participate in a well-rounded diet and exercise regime. My hubby, with the transplant, did that. He's has kept his weight in a good range. Good outcomes are possible!
I am 11 months out from transplant and just reviewed the nutrition guidelines for transplant patients that I have in my kitchen. It doesn’t say anything about protein restriction. Definitely your choice to make. My transplant surgeon said I could eat anything I wanted. As far as “completely healthy person’ : - you should have a completely healthy kidney post transplant, unless you are one of those post transplant who has a lower GFR. My center says they are OK with GFR in 40s, creatnine up to 1.5 My last GFR was 82. I’m never going to go on a high-protein diet like Atkins, but I’m not tracking my protein intake. Whether or not your kidney rejects has nothing to do with diet.
In my experience, as I got further out from transplant date, my meds were decreased, particularly the prednisone dosage, and the round, puffy face also decreased. The key is to stay active. My transplant was in June 1996. I gained about 20 extra pounds. It took a while, but walking allowed me to lose those 20 extra pounds. I have stayed at my pre-transplant weight since 2000.
Prayers for you as you continue on your journey as an organ transplant recipient.
You are still very early on your journey. I gained2 and a half stone in the first 2 years . I’m 4 years out and have lost 1 and half without doing much and the moon face is less noticeable. Keep going it will all settle down . I walk and do Pilates now which is a great excercise for women.
My nephrologist, my transplant coordinator nurse, and my transplant surgeon all said expect 15 to 20 pound weight gain first year after transplant. I am in an online support group and we have all had this weight gain except for one man. He was overweight at one point in his life and ever since he has a very strict regimen of exercise and watching every single calorie that he eats. Some of my nephrologist’s patients are on ozempic. My center wants me to either take ozempic or get weigh loss surgery. No thanks.
I feel for you but I haven't a transplant yet. I have Graves Disease which gives me hyperthyroidism and I cannot gain weight. I lost a lot when I was in hospital and had to put on 10 pounds to get back on the active list. Gaining weight is not easy when you want to. So I know losing it has to be hard too.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Transplant Questions
How to lose weight? diet suggestions
pre diabetes following transplant 
Trying to move forward.
Transplant & hysterectomy?
