The Rogosin Institute

Transplant Recipient

How long after my transplant can I return to work?
When can I resume driving?
Will I need to take medications after surgery?
Can I use public transportation?
Is it unusual to feel depressed?
When can I become pregnant?
Will I require a special diet following a kidney transplant?
Who will pay for my donor’s surgery?
What are the costs involved in transplantation?

Organ Donor

Will donating a kidney cost me anything?
How long will I be in the hospital?
Will I need to take medication after the kidney donation?
When will I be able to resume my normal lifestyle after donation?
Do I receive follow-up care?

Transplant Recipient

How long after my transplant can I return to work?

Some transplant recipients can return to work three to six months after their transplant.   The type of work- e.g. sitting at desk or a more physical job will affect the timing.  Some recipients are able to return to work earlier, including those who are able to do some of their work at home.

We encourage patients to return to work part-time at first, typically starting with shorter days and only 2-3 days per week.   Patients should inform their employers that they will have to keep frequent medical appointments once a week for three to six months following their transplant.
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When can I resume driving?

Patients can usually resume driving between four and six weeks after their transplant.  Two considerations before starting to drive are (1) wound healing and (2) use of the right leg.  The transplant incision needs to be completely healed before using safety belts.  This usually occurs by six weeks but may vary for some patients.  In addition, patients with their transplant on the right side need to have full use of their right leg for adequate ‘pedal’ function, e.g. braking and acceleration.   For the first six weeks after a transplant we recommend that recipients ride in the rear of an automobile and not use safety belts.
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Will I need to take medications after surgery?

Transplant recipients must take the immunosuppressive-“anti-rejection” medications as prescribed everyday.  Over time the doses of these immunosuppressive medications are decreased.  There will be a time when patients can be transplanted and take no immunosuppressive medication, but that time has not arrived.  We caution all patients that not taking their immunosuppressive medications correctly or stopping them, even years after their transplant, can result in irreversible rejection.  For the first year after a transplant, recipients will also need to take medications to prevent infections that may occur as a result of their immunosuppression. 

In order to maintain good health, recipients may require medications for high blood pressure and an elevated cholesterol.  Diabetes medications will need to be continued.  They may also be asked to take a multivitamin, vitamin D preparations, a calcium supplement and other medications to prevent osteoporosis.
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Can I use public transportation?

Generally patients can use public transportation four to six weeks after receiving their transplant.  The decision is based (1) how immunosuppressed they are, and (2) their overall physical condition. 

Transportation to post-transplant medical appointments is the responsibility of the patient.  However, some patients who have New York City Medicaid are eligible for a limited amount of ambulette services.  Those individuals who receive Access-A-Ride may use this program for transportation to medical appointments by making all arrangements on their own.
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Is it unusual to feel depressed?

It is not at all unusual to feel depressed following a kidney transplant.  Transplant recipients may reflect back on what they have been through and also realize that maintaining a successful transplant requires work and active attention to detail. The transplant does not just happen.  Recipients may have difficulty sleeping and even months after a successful transplant find themselves feel angry and becoming short tempered, easily losing their patience with close, supportive family members.   It may also be months before these feelings pass.  If you are experiencing depression or are having difficulties with your feelings, there are many resources available to provide individual support and group participation.  You can call the transplant social worker at 212-746-1569 and contact organizations such as Transplant Recipient International Organization (www.trioweb.org) or American Association of Kidney Patients (www.aakp.org)
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When can I become pregnant?

Transplant recipients must have stable kidney function and well-controlled blood pressure before considering becoming pregnant. Typically, if transplant function is stable and any medical problems are well controlled, family planning may begin approximately one year after having a kidney transplant. 

However, some medications, including some immunosuppressant’s, are associated with a increased incidence of birth defects.  Medications may need to be discontinued and substitutes prescribed prior to pregnancy.  We suggest that you plan and review your medical condition, including medications with your doctor or nurse practitioner at least one month before considering conception.
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Will I require a special diet following a kidney transplant?

All transplant recipients meet with a dietician to review post-transplant dietary guidelines.  With improved renal function, many foods no longer need to be restricted.  However, other medical conditions including diabetes and hypertension may require specific recommendations.

Some foods (and herbs) are substrates for the same enzyme pathways, i.e. the CYP3A pathways, that metabolize some transplant medications and, if taken in varying amounts, may result in widely fluctuating blood levels for these medications.   Grapefruit juice is the most common example and Seville oranges (sour oranges used in marmalades, and liqueurs including Grand Marnier, Triple sec and Curacao) have a similar effect.  The same is true for St. John’s Wort.  These all need to be avoided.

Other foods that are substrates for the CYP3A pathway include pomegranates, resveretrol in red wine, garlic extract and licorice.  However, the evidence for their effect on drug levels is less clear.

Some patients have increased potassium levels following transplant and will need to avoid high potassium foods.
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Who will pay for my donor’s surgery?

The donor’s evaluation, hospital and surgery are paid for by the recipient’s insurance.  All insurance and payment issues are reviewed with the financial advisor prior to transplant.
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What are the costs involved in transplantation?

The costs of a kidney transplant are high.  But, some form of insurance covers almost all kidney patients.  All insurance concerns and evaluation for surgery and follow-up care are discussed with and arranged with the financial coordinator prior to receiving a kidney transplant. Please note that insurance authorization is required before surgery is scheduled.

Most patients with permanent kidney failure are eligible for Medicare, at any age, if they, their spouse or parent have worked long enough under Social Security.  But, Medicare alone is not enough to cover all your medical costs.  You will need to supplement Medicare with private insurance, Medigap insurance or Medicaid. 

The important post- transplantation medications are very expensive.  It is the responsibility of the patient to maintain the medication program in order to have a successful transplant. Medicare and Medicaid have prescription drug benefits. In addition, many private and work insurance plans include reimbursement for prescription drugs.  You need to check your policy or call your insurance carrier to find out how the drug reimbursement program works- including deductibles such as Medicare Part D., “donut hole”, caps and co-payments.

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Organ Donor

Will donating a kidney cost me anything?

Individuals who are worked up as potential kidney donors do not incur any financial responsibility for the work-up. The costs for the evaluation, hospitalization and surgery are covered directly by the recipient's insurance (Medicare or private insurance). It is important to discuss any financial questions you have with the living donor transplant coordinator.

Generally, public and private insurance programs will not pay for travel and lodging expenses, lost wages, child care or daily living expenses incurred during pre-surgery testing and follow-up visits after the operation. It is important to discuss the potential financial consequences of donation with the transplant financial coordinator.
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How long will I be in the hospital?

Typically, you will be in the hospital for three days.
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Will I need to take medication after the kidney donation?

Typically, the donor will only require pain medication in the immediate post-operative period.
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When will I be able to resume my normal lifestyle after donation?

On average, most donors return to work between two and four weeks after their surgery.  This is based on the type of work they perform.  They may feel back to their baseline by one month.
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Do I receive follow-up care?

Donors have a routine follow-up visit with the surgeon after two weeks.  A six month follow-up visit is also scheduled at Rogosin Kidney Center.   We are very interested in being aware of the health of the transplant donors with correspondence encouraged at yearly intervals.back to top