Living with a transplant

This information is to help support you and your family to care for your transplant and live as full a life as possible. There are links to additional information such as videos and leaflets from kidney charities, NHS Blood and Transplant, and other resources.

Testing your blood pressure 

We recommend that you buy a blood pressure machine so that you can monitor your blood pressure at home. Learn how to check your blood pressure at home. Your transplant doctor will be able to tell you what blood pressure measurement is normal for you.

  

If you need financial support to buy a blood pressure monitor, you can apply to the West London Kidney Patients Association Support, part of West London Kidney Patients' Association. In addition, please read this leaflet from Kidney Care UK for information on types of grants available and how to apply.

  

Drinking fluids after a kidney transplant

 

You must drink plenty of fluid, especially in the first few months after your transplant. It will take time for the kidney to work fully in its new home and it will gradually gain greater capacity to do its job to the fullest (concentrating urine and balancing fluids in the body). It will also help you to keep hydrated and to prevent urinary tract infections.

  

We normally ask you to drink at least 3 litres of fluids a day and gradually reduce to 2 litres and then 1.5 litres a day. It is important that you drink a range of different fluids, for example tea, coffee and milk, and not just water.

  

Your weight and blood pressure also tell us if your fluid is balanced. The signs of dehydration or too much fluid in your body are listed in the traffic lights symptoms guide

 

 Lifestyle changes

Diet

After your kidney transplant, you will be able to eat more foods than before, if you were having dialysis therapy before your transplant. You may still need to make some changes to follow a healthy diet. Following a healthy diet and doing exercise will reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. A healthy diet is rich in fruit and vegetables and low in processed foods. See how to eat well 
 
Reducing the salt you eat helps to control your blood pressure. See tips for a lower salt diet 
 
You can get advice from a renal dietician if you have been told to restrict any foods by your specialist team. Ask your specialist nurse for a referral.  
 
Some diet recommendations after kidney transplant include: 
  • eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables each day 
  • stay hydrated by drinking enough water and other fluids like tea and coffee (avoid soft drinks and sugary drinks)  
  • eat lean meats, poultry and fish  
  • drink low-fat milk and eat low-fat dairy products, like cheese and yoghurt. Dairy is important to keep your calcium and phosphate at the right levels, but avoid non-pasteurised products  
  • aim for a lower-salt diet  
  • follow food safety guidelines and only eat out in restaurants rated 5/5 for food hygiene 

Drinking alcohol 

Though you can drink alcohol when you have a transplant, you should keep the number of alcohol units you drink within the recommended government guidelines. Men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis. Also, make sure you keep well hydrated.  

 

Smoking 

It's very important to stop smoking. It can be difficult to stop but with the right help you are much more likely to succeed. Find out more about stop smoking services in England. Or call the free National Smokefree Helpline on 0300 123 1044. 

Exercise 

Regular exercise helps to improve your physical and mental health, including your kidney health. It can:  
  • boost your energy levels  
  • reduce your stress  
  • help you sleep  
  • reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems like heart disease by improving your blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels. 
 
Not sure when to start? Soon after your transplant: you should walk as much as you can. Gradually, start increasing your physical activity and try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. 
 
Wait until your wound has healed (usually about six weeks after surgery) before: 
 
  • lifting objects weighing more than 4.5 kilograms (an average cat) 
  • doing exercise other than walking 
Three months after your transplant: you should be able to do different types of exercise such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, low-impact strength training and other physical activities you enjoy. 
 
One year after your transplant: there are generally no restrictions in terms of exercise. However, if you are planning to do a more extreme type of exercise or heavy contact sports, like rugby, martial arts or boxing, check in with your transplant team before starting. 
 
Transplant games
With more than 1,000 transplant athletes and 1,600 donors competing in 25 different sporting events, the annual British Transplant Games are the flagship of the charity Transplant Sports. As well as being a place to meet other transplant recipients from across the UK, the games demonstrate the benefits of transplantation,
encourage transplant patients to regain fitness, increase public awareness of the need for more people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register and discuss their wishes with their families.  

 

Driving 

We recommend that you don’t drive in the first six weeks after transplant. Starting to drive too soon can risk damaging your surgical wound. 
 

Going back to work  

Most kidney transplant recipients can return to work and other normal activities within three months after transplant. However, this timing is not the same for everybody or for all types of work, and some patients are ready to go back to work at two months post-transplant while others need a bit more time. Your GP can give you a sick note for work 
 

Having sex

It is recommended you wait at least six weeks before you have sex to let the surgical wounds heal. You may need to use contraception after your transplant to avoid pregnancy. Please discuss safe methods of contraception with your transplant team. 
 

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