Post-Transplant Chat The Most Common Questions

Meliton, RN, Ellenica Hicks RN, Jaspreet Sidhu RN, Maureen Connelly RN, Jennie Huckle RN

1. What should I do or not do in the first few days after I get home from the hospital?

Rest when you are tired but keep active within your limitations- walking short distances, leg and arm movements while sitting, climbing stairs at home. Make sure you are passing urine regularly. Check your blood pressure and keep a log to bring to the clinic. Use only a sponge bath to clean your body and incision area. If you require dialysis, be sure to keep your appointments.

2. When can I resume a normal diet? Are there any restrictions? Can I eat out?

We encourage a healthy diet. Generally speaking, there are no restrictions until your bloodwork determines that you need to limit certain foods such as potassium, phosphorus or salt in your diet. We will notify you if dietary restrictions are needed. Don’t eat out of you an avoid it for the first few days.

3. Can I play with my pet? Can I do gardening?

Don’t do either until the staples have been removed and your incision is fully healed. After this, as long as you are comfortable with moving, you can gradually increase either of these activities. Do not clean your cat’s litterbox because of the risk of getting parasites. Ensure you wear a mask when dealing with bird excrement. When the time comes, make sure you wear gloves when gardening to avoid thorn pricks and contact with manure.

4. What is the best way to get to clinic?

Ask a family member, partner or friend drive you or use taxi, Uber or Wheel Trans for the early clinic visits until you are able to drive (see below) or take transit independently.

5. Can I go for doctor or dentist checkups, grocery shopping, banking, etc..?

Early in transplant you can go to your doctor if needed. Dental checkups, grocery shopping, banking, etc… can be done once you are fully recovered and are comfortable ambulating and lifting (especially with groceries). You may need to ask for help from family and friends. Now is the time to pull all your resources together!

6. When can I start driving? Do I have to wear a seatbelt?

We recommend you can start driving when your prednisone dose down to 10mg daily, when you are comfortable wearing a seat belt resting across your incision and when you are pain free. You must always wear a seatbelt and follow all traffic laws. It’s best to wait to start driving until your stent has been removed.

7. When can I start having sex? What special precautions should I take during sex?

You can start having sex when you feel ready, whether you are a woman or man. Always practice safe sex. For female patients, remember that a transplant can quickly restore fertility, so you must follow contraceptive practices. If you plan to become pregnant, you should wait for a year after the transplant and let the clinic know since we may need to make some changes to your medications.

8. When can I have my central line or peritoneal dialysis catheter taken out?

Once we know your transplanted kidney is working well, we will instruct you to contact your home dialysis centre to arrange for your peritoneal dialysis catheter removal. If you have a central venous catheter, this can be taken out by the radiologist at our hospital or your dialysis hospital.

9. What kind of exercise is permitted and when? How much weight can I lift?

Always exercise within your limitations, with no heavy lifting more than 10 pounds for the first 3 months after the transplant. Walking and light jogging are always good. You can get on a treadmill when you feel ready, and use an exercise bike once the stent has been taken out, provided your incision is fully healed.

Kudos and Welcome!!!

10. When can I travel?

We recommend to wait one year after your transplant before travelling outside North America, and 6 months within North America as long as the kidney transplant is working well. Don’t forget to get your travel letter beforehand, arrange a supply of medications, and have contact information for a local transplant centre if you are planning an extended stay abroad.

Thank you and Farewell!