What You Can Expect After Having a Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant is a significant medical procedure, but you can also consider it as having another chance at life. If you’ve just gotten one, you can expect a lot of changes to happen in your life. You’ll have to keep in mind that you will need to make a few lifestyle changes, which affect your diet, physical activity, and medication management.
It may sound like there’s a lot to do at first, but these adjustments will be a breeze when you think about it in the context of having a second chance. Receiving the guidance of a medical professional will be useful, especially in the early days after your kidney transplant. They can assist you with establishing a proper routine to ensure your overall health remains good.
Here are some of the things you can expect to happen after a kidney transplant:

Taking Immunosuppressant Medication

After a transplant, there’s a possibility of your body rejecting its new kidney, which is why your doctor will tell you to take immunosuppressant medicines. The drugs will help weaken your immune system so that your body won’t reject your new kidney. For a better chance of success, you’re going to have to stay on top of your medication management.
It’s better if you have family members or professional help when it comes to your medicines. It lowers the risk of forgetting to take your medication and makes recovery less stressful for you. However, keep in mind that these medicines have side effects, so contact your doctor immediately if it’s affecting you too negatively.

Going to Therapy for Your Mental Health

A kidney transplant is a positive occurrence but also a life-changing event, meaning it might trigger anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. That’s why you can expect your doctor to advise you to go to therapy. Doing so will help monitor the mental aspect of the procedure’s results and check on your overall health.
You may experience mood changes, stress, anxiety, and even guilt after a kidney transplant. While these emotions can be manageable, it’s always best to have the careful guidance of a licensed therapist if ever the changes become too overwhelming for you.

Looking Out for Signs of Rejection

As mentioned earlier, a kidney transplant isn’t always a success because the body could reject its new kidney. Your immune system might see it as a dangerous foreign body, causing it to deny it. That’s why you can expect to be on the lookout for signs of rejection. It’s an unfortunate possibility, but it’s always best to prepare for an unsuccessful transplant.
There are two ways a rejection might happen. The first is acute rejection, which occurs during the first three to six months after the procedure. The second one is chronic rejection, a slower process that may take years for the full rejection to happen. Eventually, your kidney will stop working because your immune system keeps fighting it.

Conclusion

A kidney transplant patient needs the best care at all hours of the day to ensure its success. After the procedure, you can expect to make some major life changes. These may sound overwhelming, but having the support of your friends and family and nursing care for professional guidance can help make your recovery more comfortable.
Morristown HC has an expert kidney care team that provides the best nursing care. Get in touch with us today for more information.