What Happens After a Kidney Transplant?
After kidney transplant surgery, you'll spend a week or two in the hospital as
you recover. Your health care team will watch you to make sure there are no complications
from the surgery, such as bleeding or infection.
You'll also learn what medicines you need to keep your body from rejecting the
new kidney. These are called immunosuppressants. Taking them can
make you more likely to get infections, especially in the days right after surgery.
So be sure to stay away from sick people. Everyone at home should wash their hands
well and often.
For the first couple of months after surgery, you'll need to see the doctor a lot
to make sure your new kidney is working normally. If you get a fever or soreness
in the area of the transplant, tell a doctor right away. These could be signs
that your body isn't accepting the new kidney or that you have an infection.
But with surgery and immunosuppressant medicines, the success rate of kidney transplants
is very high.
What Else Should I Know?
In about 3–6 months, there's a good chance you'll be back to doing most of
the things you enjoyed before your kidneys failed. You may have to cut back on rough
contact sports, though. Sports like football, hockey and wrestling can lead to injuries
that could damage the new kidney.
If you have questions about whether a sport is a good idea for you, talk to your
doctor before you start playing. A kidney shield (a piece of plastic worn under your
clothing) can protect the transplanted kidney and allow you to play some sports.
Ease back into activities while you recover. Eating well, taking your medicines
at the correct times, keeping a healthy body weight, and following up with your transplant
team will help keep your new kidney healthy.
Dealing With Feelings
Living
with a chronic condition like kidney failure can be frustrating. Things like dialysis,
time spent waiting for a donor kidney, surgery, and taking medicines can add stress.
Some people feel depressed
or anxious. It can be a lot to deal with!
Immunosuppressant therapy can be especially hard for teens because it does have
some side effects. The medicines you'll take to stop your body rejecting the kidney
can cause acne,
weight gain, mood swings, and trouble sleeping. If you notice side effects, talk to
your doctor to see if anything can help. But never change or stop taking a medicine
without talking to your doctor or nurse.
If it seems like the stress of living with kidney failure or having transplant
surgery is more than you can handle, talk to someone. A parent is best, since your
mom or dad will probably be going through it all with you.
But some teens find help by talking to a therapist
or joining a support group. Online resources include the National
Kidney Center's Facebook page and Transplant
Living. You also can ask the transplant team if the hospital has (or knows of)
a support group for teens who've had kidney transplants.
Date reviewed: September 2018