How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Kidney Transplant?

A kidney transplant is a procedure that involves the damaged kidney's replacement with a healthy kidney from a donor. A kidney transplant is done when the kidneys completely fail to filter the body's waste products.

Kidney transplant patients usually return to normal activities within 6 to 8 weeks. It is essential to take your medicines as directed to reduce any risk of complications. 

The Recovery Period After the Surgery

Immediately after the surgery, the patient has to stay in the hospital for some time. The hospital stay duration depends on the medical condition and needs. 

The Hospital Stay

 The length of hospital stay depends on several factors, including:

• Type of kidney transplant
• Body's ability to adapt to the new organ
• Overall health condition
• Immuno-deficiency condition

The patient must remain in the ICU for 24-48 hours and then be transferred to the transplant unit. Generally, patients are discharged from the hospital within 10-14 days after the surgery.

Recovery at Home

• Several medications and dosages are changed once you are discharged from the hospital. The hospital team will tell you the medicine regime and have a detailed session explaining the post-operative instructions.
• Also, you will be told to monitor your condition regularly. For example, you must measure the liquid intake and urine output for at least 6 weeks after the transplant. You must also record your body temperature, blood pressure, and weight daily.
• You may resume social activities after the discharge, but you must keep in mind the body's limits.
• You must have an emergency contact number of the hospital and know the signs and symptoms, after which you must contact the hospital.
• It is vital to exercise regularly to regular blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol levels. Approximately 15-20 minutes of exercise every day is a must. 

What is the Best Exercise After a Kidney Transplant?

Regular light to moderate exercise, such as cycling and walking, has major health benefits. These physical activities will help the transplant patients to cope with frequent major side effects after the transplant surgery, such as cardiac and circulatory problems.

Patients can start with simple exercises like climbing stairs, and after some time, they can add exercises like, jogging, cycling, walking, and skipping. Any type of physical activity is beneficial if a medical professional has suggested it.    

Can you Have a Normal Life After a Kidney Transplant?

After a kidney transplant, you can live a normal life and resume your daily activities within 12 weeks. Your recovery time will also depend on the type of work you do, such as heavy-lifting work might require more recovery time. 

Your body takes time to heal and adjust to your new medications. It is not suggested to pace up the activities to prevent strain on your recovery.

What Foods Help Repair Kidneys?

Some natural remedies will help you to take care of your kidneys. Diet is an essential part of kidney disease patients. That's why it is vital to understand what types of foods are beneficial to repair kidneys:

• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Egg whites
• Red pepper
• Garlic
• Red Grapes
• Fish

What Can You Not Do After a Kidney Transplant?

After a kidney transplant, everyone wants to return to their normal life, but they need to take care of themselves to reduce the risk of damage to the transplanted organ. 

• If you are a previous smoker, you must quit smoking as early as possible. People who smoke after receiving a kidney transplant are twice as likely to suffer from kidney failure compared to non-smokers.
• Alcohol consumption is a big no for kidney transplant recipients as it raises blood pressure and is also high in calories which is bad for the patient's health.
• Any kind of sexual activity should be avoided until the abdominal incision wound has completely healed. 

Can Kidneys Fail After a Transplant?

Rejection is your body's response to the transplanted kidney's foreign proteins. There are two types of kidney rejection after a transplant:

• Acute rejection: It happens soon, within a month after a transplant. A small number of people get acute rejection episodes, leading to the complete rejection of their new kidney.
• Chronic rejection: It happens slowly over the years after the kidney transplant. Your body's immune system is constantly fighting it, and your new kidney may stop working over time. Chronic rejection happens more often as compared to acute rejection.

What Happens During an Immune Rejection?

Usually, after any transplant surgery, the body starts treating the transplanted organ as a foreign body and tries to protect itself by attacking it. The immune rejection by the body can be acute or chronic depending upon the time taken after the surgery. It is important to take the anti-rejection medications just as your doctor prescribes.

Some Tips for Taking Anti-Rejection Medications

• All the medications have to be taken regularly. Use alarms in your phone to take the medications without any gaps.
• Carefully read all the instructions before you start a new medication.
• You must inform your doctor if you experience any issues with the medications.
• Continue the medicine regime unless you are told so, even if you do not notice any symptoms. 

Cost of Kidney Transplant in India

The approximate kidney transplant cost in India ranges from 11,000 USD to 15,000 USD. However, this figure may vary depending upon several factors, such as:

• City
• Hospital infrastructure
• The expertise of the surgeon
• The complexity of the case

However, the prices in India are much lower than in countries like the US, where the cost can be as high as 3,00,000 USD.

Best Kidney Transplant Doctors in India

Some of the best kidney transplant doctors in India are mentioned below:

• Dr. C. Chinnaswami: He is a well-known Urologist and Renal Transplant Specialist with 45 years of rich experience.
• Dr. Sanjay Gogoi: He is a leading Urologist and Renal Transplant Specialist practicing for more than 25 years. He has performed over 500 renal transplants.
• Dr. Rahul Gupta: He is a renowned Renal Transplant Specialist, having 13+ years of experience.
• Dr. N Ragavan: He is a well-known Urologist and Renal Transplant Specialist, having 26 years of experience. 

Takeaway

A kidney transplant is a treatment of choice for kidney failure compared with lifetime dialysis. A kidney transplant can be opted to treat chronic or end-stage kidney disease. India is your best choice if you are looking for an affordable and high-quality kidney transplant. The country has some of the best renal transplant specialists who provide the best treatment without burning a hole in your pocket.