What Happens After You Donate a Kidney
The kidneys are one of the major organs responsible for expelling waste from the body and regulating water and electrolytes. Kidney donation is one of the simplest things you can do, offering someone needing this organ a new lease on life.
As a donor, however, it is okay for you to have questions and doubts that you would want answered. So, continue reading to learn all there is to know about kidney donation, especially what happens after one.
What Happens After You Donate a Kidney
Conditions Surrounding the Donation of a Kidney
First, you must be of legal age, typically 18 years old in most parts of the world.
Donors must be evaluated medically thoroughly to assess medical and surgical history, especially regarding the kidneys.
Following the evaluation, some individuals may be ineligible to donate due to certain medical conditions or risk factors. This protects both the donor and recipient from potential complications.
You must be fully healthy, and the following ailments may disqualify you from becoming a kidney donor: Diabetes, cancer, and hypertension.
Also, it must be of your own free will without financial compensation. Free will also involve you being of sound mind.
Surgical procedure
The kidney is extracted through a process known as donor nephrectomy.
There are two major surgeries: the type of surgery, your age, and your overall health, which determine how long you will stay in the hospital.
The donor can only have water and must fast on the day of the surgery.
Laparoscopic Surgery (Minimally Invasive)
Laparoscopic surgery uses small incisions (2-0.5 inches) for instrument insertion and cameras. Smaller incisions generally result in less noticeable scarring. Hospital stays are typically shorter (1-2 days) with a faster recovery time (2-3 weeks of rest).
Open Incision Surgery
This traditional approach uses a larger incision (5-7 inches) to access the surgical site directly. Larger incisions result in more noticeable scarring. Open surgery often requires a more extended hospital stay (4-5 days) with a more extended recovery period (6-8 weeks of rest).
Immediate Post-Surgery
1. Recovery in the Hospital:
Immediately after the surgery, you will be placed in a recovery room for close observation. Your vitals, kidney functions, and pain management will be examined.
Food will have to be put on hold for 1-2 days so your body, especially the intestines, can adjust.
You may experience itching at the incision site, bloating, and constipation.
Short-Term Recovery (First Few Weeks)
2. Rest and Limited Activity:
Activity Restrictions: You will need to limit physical activity for several weeks. Avoid heavy lifting of up to 10 pounds, strenuous exercise, and driving until your doctor clears you.
You will have follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery, including checking the incision site, kidney function, and overall health.
3. Diet and Hydration:
Balanced Diet:
It would help if you switched up your diet to healthier versions, depending on the time you heal and even after. Foods like white rice, fish, and eggs are recommended.
Ensure you stay hydrated, as your kidney needs all the water it can get to manage your body and prevent constipation.
Avoid smoking and drinking for a few weeks (typically two months), as this could stall the recovery process.
Following laparoscopic surgery, your doctor might recommend dietary adjustments to support your body’s healing process. Here’s a general guideline:
Long-Term Recovery (Months to Years)
4. Gradual Return to Normal Activities:
Take time off work if your work involves heavy physical activity.
Do only light exercises for the first few weeks until you feel up to it or are cleared.
To avoid damage to your remaining kidneys, you may have to avoid contact sports like football, rugby, or boxing for life or use protective gear.
This, however, needs to be foolproof.
Limit drinking and cigarettes and avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
You’ll likely have follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor your recovery progress. These appointments are typically scheduled at one week, four weeks, three months, six months, one year, and two years after surgery. However, the specific schedule may vary depending on your case.
Ensure to manage your mental health like you do your physical, and receive support from family, friends, and support groups because you will feel a range of emotions that must be managed healthily.
Over time, your kidney will adapt to compensate for the other one by increasing its size and functions. It may retain up to 70% of previous functions. This increases the chances of living a normal, healthy life. Life expectancy remains the same due to initial healthiness.
There have been little-known cases of complications after surgery and even lesser-known cases of kidney failure, but either way, you will be given priority if it ever comes down to it.
