What are the Best Tips for Kidney Transplant Recovery?

Following doctor’s orders is the easiest way to ensure a speedy recovery from kidney transplant surgery. There are, however, many tips that may help a person boost his chances for a complete recovery and continuing health. Among them are avoiding heavy lifting and certain types of physical activity during the initial months of kidney transplant recovery. Securing rides with others during the first six weeks of recovery may prove helpful as well, as driving may be difficult. Additionally, getting plenty of rest, exercising, and eating well can all help a person experience an optimal recovery.

One of the best tips for kidney transplant recovery is to avoid doing too much too soon. For example, a person will typically need to avoid heavy lifting after a kidney transplant. A kidney transplant patient may be advised to limit the amount of weight he lifts for up to six months following surgery. His doctor may, for instance, advise him to limit the weight he lifts to 20 pounds (about 9.07 kilograms) or less in the first three months after surgery and no more than 40 pounds (about 18.14 kilograms) for three additional months.

Another one of the best tips for kidney transplant recovery involves waiting to drive. For about six weeks following kidney transplant surgery, a patient may need to have a friend or family member drive him. To make this easier, a recovering kidney transplant patient may have friends and family members take turns providing rides rather than asking one person to do the driving all of the time.

The gradual addition of exercise to a recovering kidney transplant patient's routine may also prove helpful as he attempts to regain his strength and boost his energy. In many cases, a person can begin mild forms of exercise, such as walking, soon after his incision has healed. Eventually, he may add such exercise as tennis, swimming, jogging, and even aerobics. He may do well, however, to consult with his doctor concerning the optimal time frame for beginning these more strenuous exercises and how to ease into them while protecting his health.

Rest and eating a healthy, balanced diet is important at all times, but it is especially critical when someone is recovering from kidney transplant surgery. During this time, a patient may benefit from getting adequate sleep at night; for many people, this means sleeping for seven to eight hours. Taking frequent rest breaks or even napping during the day may prove helpful as well. Additionally, consuming a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains may help a patient stay healthy during the kidney transplant recovery process.