Post Transplant Diet

[donnia]

For those of you have already had your transplants....... what is the post transplant diet?  Any special instructions on how much to drink?  One more important question..... how long until you can drive?  Any advice for those who will soon be having transplants?

[KT0930]

The only restriction they gave me was to watch the sodium.

Different transplant teams have different ideas about the amount of water. The team I was with in 2002 said AT LEAST one hundred ounces of water a day, and made me keep a journal to prove I was doing it. My current team says, "oh, try to get around 64 ounces", and doesn't seem to check up on me to make sure I'm doing it.

I am having to push the phosphorous and magnesium because my levels are low. So everything that was off-limits on dialysis, I'm now having to eat in excess...unfortunately, a lot of those items are very high in calories, as well.

[livecam]

The post transplant diet was everything you couldn't have during dialysis.  Potatos, tomatos, and all the stuff with potassium and phosphorus were ok again.  They didn't really recommend a specific amount to drink but what they did was to start bringing copious amounts of fluid to the room.  It is hard to reacustom youself to drinking normal amounts of fluids after being on dialysis.  In my case I was brought back to the hospital a couple of weeks after the transplant because they thought I was rejecting.  It turned out that dehydration was the problem.  In two weeks I still hadn't learned to drink normally again.  For resumption of driving several weeks was recommended.  I remember breaking that rule at about a week out.  We were going on a driving excursion around San Diego and I was just itching to get behind the wheel again.  We drove to Balboa park where I just had to go through the aerospace museum.  I remember feeling strange and a bit dizzy in there so we had to abort and head back to the hospital campus.  From that point on I continued to drive as I started feeling better eventually making the 300 mile trip home and back alone.

[donnia]

So, I am going to have to learn how to drink again.... wow.  right now all I do is eat ice.  I will take a drink with my meds, and maybe have a few sips with dinner and that is it.  Do they warn you not to eat alot of protein, or do they want you to eat protein? 

Low sodium makes sense...sux cause I love pickles, pickled okra, olives.....etc..

I know this isn't diet related, but any ideas on what I need to take with me to the hospital?  I will have to travel 200 miles to the transplant hospital.... and be there 3 weeks.

[livecam]

Gee..I can't remember whether or not they mentioned protein, its been so long.  One thing you'll notice is that after you are transplanted you'll be visited by a blur of doctors, dieticians, social workers, nurses etc.  It seems like you are in information overload mode there at times. 

Pack like you are going on vacation for 3 weeks.  Bring some comfortable loose fitting clothes that will feel good on you after you get out of the hospital gown.  You can probably forget the formalwear, there will be no formal nights at the hospital!  I would definitely have a laptop along as well unless you really like television.  Bring your favorite soaps and other articles because you might not like what they have there. 

[willieandwinnie]

Hi donnia. My husband had his transplant in September and he had a hard time drinking enough. He is doing better now, he still doesn't drink the 64oz that our center recommended but they have said since my husbands not a big guy that the amount he is drinking is fine. As far as diet, right after the transplant they really pushed the protein for healing. We still have problems with his magnesium being low and he takes medication for this. Also his potassium got really low and he had to have an IV to bring it back up. My husband has other health issues about diet but after transplant he ate everything in sight. They do tell you to watch the sodium. As far as what to take. YOUR OWN PILLOW, and pillowcases, computer, cell phone, slippers, robe (don't forget the robe) or your butt will be hanging out while your walking. Good luck to you and please let us know how your doing. 

[okarol]

KIDNEY TRANSPLANT DIET
 
The diet for renal transplantation is to provide adequate calories and protein to counteract the catabolic effect of surgery during the early post transplant period and to manage the nutritional side-effect of immunosuppressive drugs.

    * Nutrition after kidney transplantation is given a well-balanced diet. This means that it contains foods from all food groups-egg, meat, fish, chicken, milk, cheese, fruits, vegetables, cereals, sugars. Initially, during the first month after transplantation, the patient is advised short-term dietary management. This may expedite wound healing, muscle growth and development and prevent drug-induced diabetes commonly observed after transplantation. However diet-related complication that may lead to organ rejection. Therefore, the following nutritional guidelines are recommended.

    Short-Term Management (During the first month after transplantation)

        * Adequate protein intake to replace further protein breakdown due to high doses of steroid. Good protein food sources are meat, fish, poultry, egg, milk and milk products.
        * Eat small amount of simple sugars: honey, jams, jelly, candy, softdrinks, cakes and sweet desserts.
        * Limit intake of salt, seasonings and processed foods to prevent increase in blood pressure and fluid retention.

    Long –Term Nutritional Management

        * Lower protein intake as steroid dosage is reduced.
        * Eat less fat and cholesterol to reduce the risk of developing heart disease and increase in body weight.
        * Continue limiting intake of simple sugars and salty condiments and high-sodium containing foods.
        * Mineral and vitamin supplements may be taken as allowed by the physician

from: http://www.nkti.gov.ph/patients_visitors/nutrition_healthy_lifestyle_clinic_services.htm

[Romona]

I was allowed to drive 4 weeks post transplant. I drink 2-3 liters of water daily. Your diet will be adjusted according to your electrolytes. Sometimes potasium goes up with the meds. If you are anemic following surgery, they may suggest iron rich foods. My phosphorous is consistantly low as well as magnesium. They may add suppliments. Eventually once things level off, you'll probably have few if  no restrictions.
Take comfy stuff. Nothing binding, elastic is great. Take your favorite books, magazines ect. Follow up visits to clinic at first can be long and boring.
I don't know where Livecam had his transplant, we had black tie dinners in the evening. 


Best of luck to you! Can't wait to hear your story!!

[donnia]

Thank yall for the information.  Someone mentioned to bring Lysol to spray the apartment after everyone leaves.

[tamara]

I was allowed to drive 4 weeks post transplant. I drink 2-3 liters of water daily. Your diet will be adjusted according to your electrolytes. Sometimes potasium goes up with the meds. If you are anemic following surgery, they may suggest iron rich foods. My phosphorous is consistantly low as well as magnesium. They may add suppliments. Eventually once things level off, you'll probably have few if no restrictions.
Take comfy stuff. Nothing binding, elastic is great. Take your favorite books, magazines ect. Follow up visits to clinic at first can be long and boring.
I don't know where Livecam had his transplant, we had black tie dinners in the evening.


Best of luck to you! Can't wait to hear your story!!

I drove 12 days after transplant, no worries. Haven't been told of an amount to drink, but drink about three litres a day.
I remember taking a lot of pj's in with me, but would in someways been better with either girlie boxers lol or nighties in someway due to the catheter. So family came to the rescue and got me extra stuff from home and new stuff too hey that didn't go astray !

As for the diet restrictions, I have been told about watching  sodium, but enjoy everything in moderation.

 I have never been into hospital gowns lol

[KT0930]

As far as protein intake, I asked about that specifically, and was told to just keep intake the same as a normal "healthy" person. I usually eat a sandwich of some kind at lunch and a normal dinner. Occasionally I have eggs for breakfast.

I stayed in the hospital gown for most of my stay due to the catheter (all my pj's are pants), but once the catheter came out, I was in my own pajamas!! My team recommended 6 weeks for driving. My staples stayed in for about 5 weeks, so I wasn't comfortable driving until then, but as soon as they came out, I was ready.

Good luck, donnia!

[isurvived]

So far, this has been a tough one. Being able to eat things I was unable to eat for so long has been a real bugger. I been on a seafood diet! LOLL!! In any case, they have lowered my prednesone to 2.5 mg and they want me to cut back on my evening meal. Yes, I admit, I've been a little heavy handed, or whatever you want to call it. I exercise quite a bit, but I know this is gonna take some stuff to get with a better diet. I will persevere!!

[angela515]

Every transplant center has a different outlook on your diet, but then again it also vary's patient to patient based off weight, height, other medical issues and so forth.

I have no special diet... I have no limitations, or anything of the sort. I don't add salt to my foods, so salt has never been an issue ever in my life, and I know the recommended amount of salt intake for a healthy person and I don't have any issues following that and never have.

Only issue I hav is within myself as I enjoy eating great food, and cannot exercise right now at this point so my worst enemy right now is calories... ick.

The first few weeks after transplant it was still hard to get in 64+ fluid ounces, which is why I kept track of what I drank to make sure I got it in until it became just normal again.

1 year later, and I am loving my diet as I still have no restrictions and I have no problem drinking 3 liters of water a day.. water is my best friend. 

[donnia]

I know they will want me to drink water, water, water.... but what about tea.... will it count if I drink 50 oz of tea and 14 oz of water LOL!  I don't drink much soda, but how do they feel about us drinking an occasional soda?

I have heard that some of the medications make you hungry... what kind of snacks do you eat to curb the hunger but not put on the pounds?

Okay, about this catheter thing (  ) How long will the catheter stay in?  Also, do you remember how long you had your IV in?  I also remember the coordinator saying something about a stint staying in 6 weeks... sound familiar?  I will be calling my coordinator tomorrow to ask about this stuff too.

[okarol]

Jenna was required to drink 3 liters of water each day (in addition to regular beverages taken with meals) to keep the kidney hydrated.
They initially said she could have one cola a day, which she was ok with.
Her appetite was normal as she was only on predisone the first 3 days, so weight gain wasn't an issue.
The catheter stays in until they are sure you have a functioning kidney and your labs are stable.
Yes, Jenna had a stint which was in place to keep the newly sutured uretor open while healing took place. It was removed after 6 weeks and was mildy uncomfortable when they took it out, but no lasting discomfort.
This site has some general info http://www.columbiasurgery.org/pat/kidneypancreastx/life.html.

[tamara]

Oooh did someone mention when will the catheter come out ? Mine had to be changed twice due to a blockage and both times I went into panic mode thinkin the kidney wasn't working. But as soon as they changed it and gee that is a great feeling,Not ! Woosh you may as well have sent for the ark ! lol

[donnia]

LOL tamara!!!