Kidney transplant is a major surgical operation and you need to take good care of your new kidney post a successful transplant. Unlike in dialysis, post a kidney transplant your diet will definitely get more flexible but there are still certain precautions that you need to take. It is important to discuss your post-operation diet with the hospital dietician and to follow the given instructions carefully.
The medications that comprise your post-operative regime might elevate your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
- Low intake of salt: Make a conscious effort to eat less salt in your food, post your kidney transplant. This step is taken to control the fluid retention and blood pressure. Also, avoid preserved foods that are high in sodium content like canned foods, processed meat, high sodium snacks, pickles and packaged foods.
- Restrict fat intake to the minimum: There will be elevated levels of blood cholesterol levels after the kidney transplant due to the anti-rejection drugs. Try to control fatty fried foods, full-fat dairy items and anything that is loaded with excess fat. A low-fat diet is a must after a kidney transplant.
- Ensure lots of protein intake: Till around six weeks after your transplant, extra proteinaceous diet is recommended to speed up the post-surgical healing process. Since high doses of corticosteroids are prescribed after the transplant, high protein covers up for the muscle breakdown due to these drugs. A couple of months after the surgery (healing period), you can again get back to your normal protein intake.
- Step up on Phosphorus intake: Renal failure would have resulted in significant reduction in bone mass. After a kidney transplant, the bones re-build again. Hence, post your transplant it is important to eat foods with high phosphorus content since the blood phosphorous levels could drop.
- Keep your weight in check: If you want a quick recovery, make sure you keep your weight in control. Certain post-operative drugs might push you towards weight gain after a kidney transplant, which is not good for health. Consult your doctor about the recommended exercises to help keep your weight in check.
- Balance the potassium levels: Some drugs tend to cause a potassium imbalance in your body, post the kidney transplant. Monitoring your potassium levels is important to control or increase the potassium in your diet. In case your potassium levels have fallen, introduce foods rich in potassium in your diet regime like oranges, banana, potatoes, etc.
Get sufficient rest: Postoperative care in kidney transplant not only includes dietary modifications, but it also includes rest. After you are discharged from the hospital, relax at home for quick recovery. For the next 3 to 4 weeks do not drive or lift heavy objects that weigh anything more than 10 pounds. If you face no complications, you will be able to resume certain activities as early as six to eight weeks after the transplant.
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