Follow-Up Care and Long-Term Care

Once you're home

You will be given a 24-hour phone number you can call with any questions or concerns after surgery. An RN and physician are always on call to assist you with your needs. For the first 2 weeks after surgery, check your blood pressure once a day.

• Bathe as normal
• Do not try to remove the surgical glue from your skin
• Come to your follow-up visit at the transplant clinic which will be scheduled about 2 weeks following surgery

Continued follow-up care

Living donors will be contacted for further follow-up visits at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after donation. These are required visits and donors must commit to the follow-ups prior to surgery.

Long-term commitments

• Make certain all of your clinicians, including primary care doctors, specialists, OBGYNs, dentists, urgent care practitioners and ER staff, know you have only one kidney
• If a woman, avoid pregnancy for 1 year after surgery and be certain your OBGYN knows you have only 1 kidney
• Report to the transplant center any major infections or cancer you may be diagnosed with within 2 years of surgery to ensure the recipient was not exposed
• Continue with annual physician exams performed by your primary care doctor and maintain your health insurance
• Stay hydrated
• Check your blood pressure at least once a month
• Avoid chronic use of certain medications