Once a patient leaves the hospital, he or she can begin resuming their normal activities. Patients can return to work as soon
as they feel well enough. This depends upon the type of work the patient does – on average, about one month.
Staying in touch with the transplant team
To make sure transplant recipients are closely monitored, a schedule of follow-up office visits is set up with the transplant
nephrologist and transplant coordinator.
After three months of follow-up visits with the transplant nephrologist, the patient is released to the care of their primary
nephrologist. However, periodic visits are scheduled with the transplant nephrologist. These check-ups are usually once every
three to six months, and then at least once a year for the life of the organ. Support services from the transplant coordinator,
social worker and financial counselor are available to patients on an indefinite basis.
Patients are immunosuppressed for the rest of their life and need to avoid sources of infection. Trauma to the abdomen may
harm the kidney. Patients require monitoring periodically for signs of rejection and infection.
Schedule of Office Visits Post Transplant
Communicating with the Transplant Team
Risk of Depression
Anti-Rejection Medications
Schedule of Office Visits Post Transplant
To make sure transplant recipients are closely monitored, a schedule of follow-up office visits is set up with the transplant
nephrologist and transplant coordinator.
After three months of follow-up visits with the transplant nephrologist, the patient is released to the care of their primary
nephrologist. However, periodic visits are scheduled with the transplant nephrologist. These check-ups are usually once every
three to six months, and then at least once a year for the life of the organ. Support services from the transplant coordinator,
social worker and financial counselor are available to patients on an indefinite basis.
Patients are immunosuppressed for the rest of their life and need to avoid sources of infection. Trauma to the abdomen may
harm the kidney. Patients require monitoring periodically for signs of rejection and infection.
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Communicating with the Transplant Team
Having a transplanted kidney and taking anti-rejection medications puts the patient at risk for some complications. That’s
why it’s so important to have good communication between the transplant team, physicians, pharmacist, dentist and the patient
himself. It’s up to the patient to make sure that every member of his healthcare team is aware of the transplant, the medications
he takes every day, and the precautions he must follow to stay well.
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Risk of Depression
Undergoing a major surgical procedure such as a kidney transplant can create high levels of stress for the patient and their
family. Sometimes transplant patients feel anxiety or depression following the surgery. Counseling services are recommended
to help patients adjust to life at home and return to work or school. If patients feel depressed or anxious, they should contact
the transplant coordinator or social worker for information on getting counseling.
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Anti-Rejection Medications
Since the body’s immune system rejects anything it perceives as “foreign,” kidney transplant recipients must take anti-rejection
drugs called immunosuppressants to prevent the body from rejecting the new kidney. These drugs suppress the body’s immune
system response. Many recipients must remain on these drugs for the rest of their lives. Anti-rejection medications often
have side effects, but for most patients, these are manageable.
All of the patients’ medications are ordered and delivered while they’re still in the hospital. During their stay, the transplant
coordinator reviews all the medications with the patient to make sure they understand the drug regimen. The coordinator also
prepares a medication schedule for the patient.
During the hospital stay, every kidney transplant patient has a visit with their transplant coordinator, a dietician, a social
worker and a diabetes educator. Prior to discharge an assessment is made to determine if the patient needs homecare services.
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