A kidney transplant is a big turning point in the lives of people with kidney failure. But what is life like with a new kidney? Where can you find help and who can you turn to if you need support for issues relating to your health, work or social life?
Transplantation ... and then?
After the transplantation, you will usually remain an inpatient at the transplant center for 1-2 weeks. During this time, you and your new organ will be closely monitored. Above all, the medications that you will have to take after the transplantation will be adapted and adjusted to you. In addition, the function of your new kidney will be checked. You will then be transferred to an aftercare clinic for further treatment, or you will be allowed to return home first.
When you are discharged from the hospital, life with your new kidney and the treatment that goes with it really begins. Now it is up to you to learn and observe many things in order to create the best possible conditions for your new kidney. This includes, among other things:
- the exact adherence to your medication schedule
- observing high hygiene standards to protect yourself from infections
- a nicotine-free life
- prolonged, strong, direct exposure to sunlight
- sufficient sleep
- sufficient exercise
As you can see, implementing all of these points requires a high degree of personal responsibility. This may not always be easy, but you are not alone! There are many people and organizations that can support you on your way. Rest assured: all those involved will do their utmost to ensure that your transplant will diligently wash your blood and produce urine for as many years as possible.
Support from family and your social network
Support from family and friends is extremely important for your mental well-being after transplant. Talk to loved ones and communicate openly about how they can help you.
Points where you can get help are:
- Taking medication: After your kidney transplant, you will need to take a number of medications. To keep track of them and avoid forgetting important medications, especially in the beginning, you can ask your family and friends to help you. Shared memories last twice as long. You can also document your medications with the Mizu app.
- Coordinate checkups and follow-up visits: In order to check the performance of your new kidney, you should attend regular check-ups with your nephrologist. Here you can get support in making and coordinating appointments.
- Healthy lifestyle: Sufficient sleep and exercise contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Smoking and excessive, prolonged exposure to sunlight should be avoided. Due to the medications to be taken, people with a new organ are more likely to be affected by obesity and diabetes. In order to take countermeasures at an early stage, attention should be paid to a healthy diet. As is often the case, the Mediterranean diet is particularly recommended. In addition, you should make sure that your diet is low in bacteria. Inform your relatives about this so that they can help you with the points mentioned. In the Mizu app you will also find a number of articles on nutrition after transplantation.
- Strengthen your social network: many people find the "newfound" time after dialysis a very positive change. However, the path of kidney transplantation is not always an easy one. It is therefore all the more important that you do not have to go down this path alone. An open exchange with friends, acquaintances, family and patients can help. You should and can also share and discuss challenging and unpleasant topics with those around you.
Support through associations & self-help groups
There are various associations and self-help groups that you can contact to exchange ideas with like-minded people. It is best to find out about the relevant offers in your area on the Internet. In some cases, you will also find information on platforms such as Facebook.
Transplantation & rehab - a great support
After your kidney transplant, your body needs to recover first. To improve your physical and mental health, a rehabilitation program (also called rehab) will help you. You can apply for it together with your transplant center and your nephrologist.
Did you know that kidney donors are also entitled to rehabilitation? Some clinics even offer special "combined offers" together with the recipient.
There are also rehabilitation programs specifically for people on dialysis who are still waiting for a suitable donor kidney. It is extremely important that you focus on your physical fitness both before and after the transplant. It is best to ask your nephrologist directly about this.
Back to work
Whether it is possible to return to work after a successful transplant depends on various factors. Age and type of transplanted organ play a decisive role in this context. Incidentally, re-entry into working life is also advantageous from a medical point of view: resuming work at the latest one year after the transplant has been shown to have a positive effect on the lifespan of the new kidney. For many people, pursuing a profession increases physical activity and also quality of life.
For an optimal return to work, you should coordinate with your employer and medical team early on. Ideally, discuss what your return to work might look like before your transplant. For physically demanding jobs, retraining or gradual integration can make it easier to return to work. But don't put yourself under pressure. It is quite normal that it will take different amounts of time until you are ready to return to work, depending on your physical capacity or the type of job.
You are not alone
As you can see, there are a lot of people, associations and offers that support you on your way after the transplantation. So you can also master this phase and enjoy life with your new kidney!
