What to Expect After Donation

Organ transplant is a major procedure that will need more time for recovery. You will need patience and time to come back to your normal self.

How long should the donor stay in the hospital after the donation?

The number of days you will have to stay in the hospital will vary depending on the donor's rate of recovery and also the type of procedure performed. There are two types of procedures used for organ transplant – the traditional surgery method and the laparoscopic kidney removal method. The length of recovery in laparoscopic method is often shorter than the traditional method. You will have to stay for at least a week in the hospital.

What is the recovery period?

The length of recovery will depend on each individual. Some recover within few days while others may take months to come back to a normal life. Ask the transplant centre for an estimated recovery time.After leaving the hospital, you may feel tenderness, itching and pain as the incision will be healing.

Precautions –

• Follow the diet chart that your doctor has suggested for you. Do not over eat or starve yourself. Have a balanced diet consisting of all good nutrients needed for fast healing.
• Heavy lifting is not recommended for six weeks following the surgery.
• Avoid contact sports like football, soccer, basketball, martial arts, hockey, boxing and wrestling because the chances of injuring your other kidney are more. Wear protective gear under clothing to protect the kidney from injury during activities. Talk to your doctor if you want to join sports.
• Stay physically fit with regular light exercises.

How does donation affect the donor?

You can live a normal life with only one kidney after the surgery. When one kidney is removed, the single normal kidney will increase its size to compensate for the loss of the donated kidney. Thus, you can live a normal life like earlier. Just make sure that you live a healthy life. Safe guard your only kidney from any kind of injury.

With regular and long term follow ups, you can live a normal life like any other healthy person.