Need clarity for post transplant - Kidney Transplant

Kidney Transplant

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Need clarity for post transplant

vivianakasanju profile image
13 Replies

Dear all,

My name is Sanjeev I am from India i am suffering from CKD 5 from last one year and i have a transplant scheduled on next Wednesday. I am very excited about that but i have so many question in my mind. I need help from all of you. I want to everything about diet, fitness exercise how i save my kidney what things i need to avoid or i need to take care of & very imp i used to do boxing when i was fit so after transplant what kind of exercise i can do to fit myself.

Thanks & Regards

Sanjeev

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vivianakasanju profile image
vivianakasanju
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13 Replies
Darlenia profile image
Darlenia

My husband received a transplant 3 years ago. There was little pain since the surgeon avoided cutting major muscles. He was up and walking the day after surgery. The new kidney went to work immediately, removing potassium and phosphorus and more, so my husband's diet, based on his labs, returned to relatively normal very quickly. However, his sugar and carbs were restricted since the immunosuppressants brought back his diabetes immediately. (Before the transplant, my husband was off all diabetes medications.) My husband was also told to drink lots of water which was a very hard adjustment for him - he'd been on dialysis for year which required restricted water intake. Since the immunosuppressants are extremely high at the outset (which is normal protocol), my husband was restricted from going to public places until the meds were adjusted to lower optimum levels. So he took care of matters inside the home (cooking meals, etc.) while I ran errands outside, drove him to appointments since he wasn't allowed to drive for a few months, and so on. This was also a time for us to watch out for complications...my husband developed a-fib, a ureter leak, etc. So don't let your guard down then. It's major surgery and the entire body has to adjust to the new organ now residing inside you. As for physical activities, my husband was warned to avoid all contact sports involving blows to the abdomen going forward. (He was also warned that car accidents could take the kidney too. ) My husband never enjoyed physical contact sports so this wasn't a problem - he walks and goes through a full-body exercise regimen almost daily. It's our understanding that using gym equipment is usually fine. (Ask the your medical team or the trainers there for their guidance if you have concerns about a particular piece of equipment.) Just be very mindful to protect your gift. It's more exposed to acute injuries than your native kidneys. Congratulations on the transplant! May you have a wonderful outcome with a great future!

vivianakasanju profile image
vivianakasanju in reply to Darlenia

Thanks you so much for your kind words

Kennythekidney profile image
Kennythekidney in reply to vivianakasanju

Yes drink plenty of water!!! I also returned to a normal diet, but continue follow low salt and healthy eating. Remember your new kidney has to take the work for your whole body.

LisaSnow profile image
LisaSnow

Congratulations! I am sure the operation will go well and you have an exciting new chapter coming up!Everyone's recovery is different. Yes there will be bumps along the way, and some copes with changes better than others. I encourage you NOT to worry about them at this time though. Your own experience may turn out to be very different and there is no need to let the stories of others scare you.

After your operation we will still be here to listen to your experience and concerns, and we will do our best to help you with your questions one at a time. For now, focus on getting ready for the surgery. Bring comfy PJ and entertainment items to the hospital with you.

Best of luck and congratulations again!

vivianakasanju profile image
vivianakasanju in reply to LisaSnow

Thank you for kind words

ShyeLoverDoctor profile image
ShyeLoverDoctor

I’m not trying to put you off but I would read all the literature they give you very thoroughly and review it from time to time. They should verbally educate you post transplant too. Never be afraid to call the transplant center if anything seems wrong.

vivianakasanju profile image
vivianakasanju in reply to ShyeLoverDoctor

Thank you for kind words

PostivelyJo profile image
PostivelyJo

Keep your positive energy and excitement about the next phase in your life. Exercise is essential . Do what your body allows taking it easy initiallly. It’s not major surgery for most but the body adjusting to the drugs can take a while.

Best of luck

vivianakasanju profile image
vivianakasanju in reply to PostivelyJo

Thank you for kind words

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador

Congrats on your upcoming transplant! Mine was almost 25 years ago - October 15, 1999. My transplant continues to work very well. Depending on your transplant center, most of us take different immunosuppressants. For me, those first 12 months were a little rough until the doctors got me on the right dose for me. I had a lot of issues with diarrhea. Now, no problems! I can eat what I want , just still have to watch salt. I am not diabetic! It's been a hot summer in most areas of the US, so I had to drink more water than normal to stay hydrated. That is real important.

The best advice I can give you - is to report all problems/issues to your transplant team or nephrologist. It may seem like a small issue but because of your meds it can be major. So many on this site report problems they are having, rather than discussing with their doctor. Don't be one of them.

I am answering you from one of my many trips I have taken since my transplant! LIFE is GOOD!! I live in Wyoming in the US and am in Banff National Park in Alberta Canada with my family. In December I am flying with my husband to Amsterdam to take a Rhine River cruise for 8 days with friends. Previously, I had a full career in Gerontology, until retiring in 2016.

Any questions? I am here. I am not an expert, but can certainly help from my own experiences. Take care and best of luck!!! Let us know how you are doing after your surgery.

Jamok profile image
Jamok

Hi, congrats on your upcoming transplant! You’ve already gotten some good advice. Here’s one thing I wish I would’ve done. Make sure you clarify which side your kidney will be placed. For me I have a lot of diverticulitis on my left side which was verified on a CT so I assumed they were going to put my kidney on the right. They didn’t, and I think I’ve been having issues because of the manipulation of my colon in that area.

vivianakasanju profile image
vivianakasanju in reply to Jamok

Thanks for your concern and its already cleared i dont know much about that but they talking in technical terms that right kidney will be perfect for me they said something like 51 percent i hope it helps you to understand more

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador in reply to vivianakasanju

They usually do an ultrasound to see which side you have a better renal artery flow. Most, like me, it was better on the Right. My transplant is on my right side! It all depends on the person!

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