recovery
and follow-up
Donors
who have the laparascopic surgery need only about 2 to 4 weeks for full
recovery. Donors are asked not to drive for 3 weeks but generally they
may return to work within 2 to 4 weeks, depending upon the physical
demands of their job.
For those donors having the open technique, full recovery takes about 8 to 12 weeks. The donor commonly experiences some pain or nagging ache that gradually diminishes over time. During the first 3 weeks after surgery, the donor is not to drive and must avoid heavy lifting. Approximately 3 to 6 weeks after surgery, the donor is able to resume work, depending upon the physical requirements of their job.
Many transplant programs require that all donors spend 7 to 14 days in the local area after surgery. During this time, the donor will have at least one outpatient clinic appointment to check surgical healing and assess kidney function.
A few weeks after the surgery, the donor's remaining kidney will increase in size and be doing the work of two kidneys. However, long-term follow-up for the donor should include a yearly blood pressure check and periodic evaluation of kidney function (a urinalysis and blood tests) every one to two years. These tests are part of any routine physical examination and can be performed by the donor's regular physician.
How do donors say they feel emotionally after the surgery? Even though many donors say they feel thrilled because they have literally just saved the life of the recipient, it is important for potential donors to have realistic expectations about what living donation entails. Since living organ donors must be very healthy individuals, they usually haven't had much exposure to the hospital system and/or how a major surgical procedure, even a laparoscopic one, takes its toll on their body. It takes some time for the body to fully recover. In addition, some donors may have a brief letdown period immediately after donating, but this usually passes quickly. It's natural. There's a lot of excitement and anticipation while preparing for the surgery. Recovery after the surgery is not very exciting.
Living donors must understand that organ recipients also need time for their bodies to recover and to adjust to their new immunosuppressant drug regiment. They must take very powerful drugs to prevent rejection of their new organ but these drugs can produce life-threatening side effects if not adjusted precisely. Every recipient is unique. It may take a number of weeks or even months to get the dosages of each of their new medicines adjusted for the precise combination needed.
In the rare, yet real, instances where the transplant is not successful, many of the donors have said that they benefited by just knowing that they did their very best to help a relative or friend. But sometimes the donor may have trouble handling this disappointment and may unjustifiably blame them self.
