- How long will I have pain after surgery?
Every patient is different. You may notice you have more pain on your first day home simply because you are being more active. Most patients say that their pain improves within 1 to 2 weeks and they no longer need any pain medicine. You will leave the hospital with a 2-week supply of pain medicine. REMEMBER: for the health of your remaining kidney, DO NOT TAKE nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxin (Aleve), and aspirin. - What if my pain gets really bad or gets worse?
If you have pain that is really bad or gets worse after you leave the hospital, call us. - How long will I feel tired?
A common complaint after kidney donation is feeling tired. Some patients feel back to normal within a few days. Others have some tiredness for several weeks. Increasing your physical activity each day can help with the healing process. - What restrictions will I have after surgery?
Don’t drive for 2 weeks or until you are no longer taking your prescription pain medicine. • Don’t lift anything heavy for at least 6 weeks. • Avoid activities that might cause you to strain the muscles in your belly. - Is pain, numbness, or pulling at the incision site normal?
Yes. You will have internal sutures which will dissolve over time. These sutures may cause some pain or pulling. Your incision and the area around your incision may also feel numb for a short period of time. - Is it normal to feel like my genitals are swollen?
You may feel some fullness or swelling in your genitals, especially if you are a man. This is normal and usually goes away in 1 to 2 weeks. However, if you have any discoloration or severe pain, call us right away as this may be a sign of impaired blood flow. – - Is it normal to have a low appetite after surgery?
Yes. You may have a low appetite for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. The most important thing for you to remember is to stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids, even when you don’t feel like eating. - Is it normal to have bloating in the belly or constipation?
You may experience some bloating in your belly for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. This is common until complete bowel function returns.- Bloating after surgery is usually from the carbon dioxide gas put in your belly during surgery. This gas helps the surgeon see your organs.
- Walking and drinking more fluids will help the problem go away.
- Remember to take your stool softener daily, unless you have loose stools or diarrhea.
- Normal bowel function should return in 5 to 7 days.
- Is it OK to take antibiotics?
Let your doctor know if any antibiotics are prescribed for you within a week of your surgery date. - How long should wait before I can donate blood after surgery?
You should wait at least 6 months after surgery before donating blood. - How soon can I return to work?
We recommend that you give yourself 6 weeks to recover. However, if your job is one in which you are mostly still (like sitting at a desk) and does not require lifting or straining, you may be able to return to your job within a few weeks of your surgery. Discuss this with your doctor at your follow-up visits. - Who do I call if I have any problems?
During normal business hours , you should contact the post-transplant nurse at …………………
After hours, you call ………………. An answering service will be available to direct your call to the duty doctor. Keep in mind that the duty doctor may not be familiar with your case. A transplant surgeon, transplant doctor, and transplant coordinator are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist with patient management. Back-up coverage is available for each of these people as well. If you ever need help or assistance at any time, a surgeon or doctor can always be on site at CKC&SH within 60 minutes.