The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 35.5 million Americans are living with chronic kidney disease. If your kidneys are no longer working well or you need dialysis to clean and filter your blood, a kidney transplant may help you live longer and feel better.
Since 1988, surgeons at UPMC have done more than 4,200 kidney transplants. Our experts provide care before, during, and after your transplant, guiding you through the entire process.
After you receive a kidney transplant, your body needs time to adjust to your new kidney. You will also need to take steps to keep yourself healthy and follow your doctor’s instructions for kidney transplant post-op care and recovery. This will give you the best chance of having a successful transplant and avoiding complications.
In addition to helping you recover and regain your strength after your kidney transplant, your care team can help to manage post-op concerns, including:
We provide post-op and recovery care for people who have had a kidney transplant, as well as long-term follow-up care.
After your transplant, UPMC’s world-renowned nephrologists will help you:
Antirejection drugs — or immunosuppressants — decrease the chance of your body rejecting the new kidney. However, these medications can weaken your immune system, making infections and cancers, such as skin cancer, more likely. They may also make you more prone to certain diseases, such as heart disease and bone disease. Side effects can occur with antirejection medications. Your transplant team can work with you to address side effects if they arise post-transplant.
Organ rejection can happen at any time after a transplant. The most common cause is people not taking their antirejection drugs. Based on the type and severity of your organ rejection, your transplant team may be able to address it.
You must take your antirejection medications as prescribed, get lab work as recommended, and follow up in the clinic when scheduled to prevent organ rejection.
Like all medical procedures, kidney transplant procedures come with some post-surgical risks. You'll need periodic checks from your doctor for problems, as they often can occur without warning.
After a kidney transplant:
After your kidney transplant, you can expect the recovery period to last about six months. Your transplant team may require you to stay near the hospital for several months after the transplant in case a sudden complication occurs.
Many transplant recipients feel much healthier after their surgery. But to fully heal and get back to a “new normal," you'll need to follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
After you've returned home from the hospital, we recommend that you:
If you have contact with someone who has respiratory viral illness (flu, COVID-19, or RSV) or pneumonia, then you could get very sick. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly, use antimicrobial soap and hand sanitizer, and wear a mask when going out during cold and flu season.
Avoid children or others who've had live vaccines for polio, measles, mumps, and nasal flu. Post-transplant, there are some vaccines you shouldn't get. Talk to your doctor about which vaccines you should and shouldn't receive.
You should eat foods low in salt and sugar to help control your blood pressure. A diet rich in whole grains, lean protein, and fresh fruits and veggies will also help you maintain a healthy weight.
It's important to stay active after your transplant. Your transplant team will urge you to walk as much as you can soon after surgery. After you're home, staying active is vital to keeping your weight and blood pressure healthy. Your transplant team will tailor your workouts to your needs and may suggest moderate biking, walking, swimming, or yoga.
Having a kidney transplant can impact your mental health. You may even struggle with conflicting feelings in the weeks after surgery.
For instance, you may:
Talking with family and friends can help with feelings of sadness, anxiety, or guilt. You can also contact your transplant team at UPMC for guidance or about support groups post-kidney transplant.
Even if you're feeling better, only your doctor can tell if your anti-rejection medications are working by checking your lab results. The closer you follow your doctor's instructions, the more likely you are to have a healthy, successful recovery after a kidney transplant.
You'll need to take antirejection drugs after your transplant and most likely for the rest of your life. You'll also need to keep taking medications for any other health conditions you have. It is important to continue to follow up with your primary care provider and your other health care providers regularly after transplant.
Talk to your transplant team if you have any questions about the medicines you take.
Many patients live normal lives and resume everyday activities after a kidney transplant.
When you choose UPMC for kidney transplant post-op care and recovery, you will receive:
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-04-24 by Rajesh Govindasamy, MD.
