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Kidney Transplant Process

Discharge & Recovery

Our care team members are there each step of the way.

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Discharge & Recovery Going Home Contact Us

Kidney Transplant Discharge & Recovery

Our team ensures that you receive the best possible care throughout the entire transplantation process. Our care team members are there each step of the way.

Your length of stay and recovery in Christiana Hospital will depend on a few factors including: type of kidney transplant procedure, your body’s acceptance of the new organ and your overall health. Remember, each patient has a different rate of recovery. You will be discharged only after your transplant team has determined that you have regained your strength and your health is stable. Most patients experience a length of stay up to five days.

Transplant team members are available after patients have returned home to provide additional information and answer questions. The team also can help with follow-up care, including routine blood testing, medication evaluation and adaptation, and visits to ensure that patients are doing well. Your transplant team will give you instructions on how and when to contact the post-transplant office following your discharge.

Going Home

Soon after surgery and during your stay in the hospital, your transplant team will teach you more about taking your new medicines. You will learn when to take your medicines, how to take them, what happens if you miss a dose, and what side effects the medicines might cause.

Our goal is to help you feel comfortable and confident about taking care of yourself before you go home. Before going home, you will need to be able to:

  • Follow your medicine schedule correctly without assistance.
  • Know whom to call for an emergency appointment.
  • Know what problems should be reported to the transplant coordinator.

The kidney transplant team will be monitoring your health closely after the transplant and during your follow up appointments. Therefore, it is very important to keep your scheduled lab and follow-up appointments.

Once you are discharged home, you will need to continue recording your progress and questions for the transplant team to assist in your recovery care. It is also very important to keep your list of medications updated.

Remember to always bring your post-transplant notebook and medicines to each post-transplant clinic visit.

Call the Kidney Transplant Team if you experience any of the following:

  • A fever higher than 100°F (38°C).
  • “Flu-like” symptoms such as chills, aches, headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting.
  • New pain or tenderness around the transplant.
  • Fluid retention (swelling).
  • Sudden weight gain greater than 4 pounds within a 24-hour period.
  • Significant decrease in urine output.

One of the most common complications following a kidney transplant is rejection. Rejection is your body’s way of not accepting the new kidney. Although rejection is most common in the first six months after surgery, it can occur at any time.

Fortunately, the transplant team can usually recognize a rejection episode before it causes any major or irreversible damage. It is very important for you to continuously take your medications as prescribed and have your blood work drawn as scheduled.

What are the warning signs of possible rejection? It is vital for you to be aware of the possible signs of kidney rejection. If you think you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact the transplant team immediately:

  • Fever over 100°F (38°C).
  • "Flu-like” symptoms: chills, aches, headache, dizziness, nausea and/or vomiting.
  • New pain or tenderness around the kidney.
  • Fluid retention (swelling).
  • Sudden weight gain greater than 2 to 4 pounds within a 24-hour period.
  • Significant decrease in urine output.

The transplant team will be able to determine if your body is rejecting your kidney by completing routine tests of kidney function. If the team thinks you may be experiencing any problems with your new kidney, the following tests may be completed:

  • Repeated blood work.
  • Renal flow scan (which checks blood flow to the kidney).
  • Renal ultrasound (which checks for other physical problems).
  • Kidney biopsy.
  • A kidney biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of kidney tissue is removed and tested.
  • A kidney biopsy is usually performed on an outpatient basis.
  • In order to take a biopsy, or a small sample of tissue, the skin above your kidney is numbed to allow a small needle to pass directly through to your kidney. Ultrasound is used to determine the appropriate location to biopsy.
  • Once complete, a microscope is used to examine the sample of tissue and establish a diagnosis.
  • The actual biopsy generally takes between 20 to 30 minutes.
  • You will be required to lie flat for two hours following the procedure to prevent bleeding.

If rejection develops, your physician may prescribe medications to treat rejection and prevent continued complications. In order to control the rejection, you may need to be admitted to the hospital, or you may receive care in the outpatient setting.

The medications used to treat a kidney rejection episode are strong drugs. The first few doses may cause the following side effects:

  • Fever, chills.
  • Headaches.
  • Nausea, vomiting.
  • Weakness.
  • Diarrhea.
  • General “flu-like” symptoms.

You will not be allowed to drive for the first four to six weeks after the kidney transplant. It is important to plan how you will get to doctor appointments and run errands during this time.

Contact Us

I need a kidney and would like to request an appointment

I’m ready to take the first step to become a Living Kidney Donor

ChristianaCare Newark Campus

Medical Arts Pavilion 2 (MAP 2), Suite 2224
4735 Ogletown-Stanton Road,
Newark, DE 19713

Get directions and find out more
Call 302-623-3866