Discharge

Call (800) 749-7424 ext 5-0254 to make a referral to the kidney transplant program at the Shands Transplant Center at the University of Florida.

Once you leave the hospital, your post-transplant coordinator will be your main contact with your transplant team. The coordinator is a highly trained person who will teach you how to care for your general health and will answer most of your questions. Your coordinator is involved in most aspects of your care and will put you in touch with other team members who can provide any other services you may need.

What happens after I am discharged from the hospital?
After you go home from the hospital, your responsibilities will be to take the medications prescribed by your transplant doctor and to keep your clinic appointments. You will be examined and have blood tests done several times a week. This may be done at the Transplant Clinic at Shands Medical Plaza or by your local kidney doctor.

The follow-up arrangements will be made before you go home from the hospital after your transplant. Your doctor will discuss any changes in your medications or follow-up care at each visit. After the first several months, it will not be necessary for blood tests or doctor visits to be so frequent. However, you will always need to have your kidney function and medications checked as directed by your doctor.

Without any complications and depending on the type of work you do, you should be able to return to work in about eight to 10 weeks. Your doctor will discuss this issue with you at your clinic visit.

When should I come back to clinic?

Your first Shands Transplant Clinic appointment will be scheduled before you leave the hospital. For the first few weeks you will be followed twice weekly. How often you need to return to the Transplant Clinic will depend on how well you are doing. In some cases, your care will be shared between our medical staff and your local doctor.

We expect you to return to the Shands Transplant Clinic at least once every year. We will work with you and your doctor at home to monitor your blood tests and adjust your medications.

Where is the clinic and what should I expect?

The Shands Transplant Clinic is held on the 1st floor of Shands at the University of Florida in DP1. Be prepared to spend several hours in Shands Transplant Clinic on the day of your appointment.

You will be asked to report to the lab two hours prior to your clinic appointment.

After you check in at the clinic desk, you will be seen by the medical staff. Any medical problems you might be having will be reviewed and a short physical exam will be done. Your lab results will be reviewed with you and you may take your anti-rejection medications. If your Cyclosporine or Prograf levels aren't available then, you may be called by the clinic staff later in the afternoon if your Cyclosporine or Prograf dose needs to be adjusted.

strong>What do I need to bring to clinic with me?
Please bring your transplant handbook and medication list every time you come to clinic or visit your local doctor. You should get in the habit of writing down your weight, blood pressure and important laboratory values. Remember to make changes on your medication sheet when your dosages are adjusted.

Bring your morning dose of cyclosporine or Prograf with you. Do not take your cyclosporine until after your blood is drawn. The doctor in clinic will let you know late morning or early afternoon what dose of cyclosporine or Prograf to begin taking. Sometimes you will be asked to bring a 24-hour urine collection to clinic. You may bring a family member or a friend to clinic with you, if you like.

What should I know about medicine?

You will need a one-month supply of your discharge medicines before you leave the hospital. The outpatient pharmacy will expect you to pay whatever your insurance coverage will not pay when you pick up your medicine before discharge.

The dosages and reasons for your different medicines will be reviewed with you before you leave the hospital. It is very important that you take all your medicines as directed. Remember, Prednisone, Imuran®, Cyclosporine, Prograf and Cellcapt are needed to keep your body from rejecting the new kidney.

Rejection can occur at any time - months or years - after your transplant. Know your medications, dosages and the time of day you take them. Do not take any over-the-counter medications without checking with your doctor.

Changes in your medications and medication dosages will continue after you leave the hospital. Don't forget to bring your cyclosporine with you.

Never take your Cyclosporine or Prograf until after your blood is drawn on the morning of your clinic appointment. If you forget and take them, let the clinic staff know so that your cyclosporine blood level will not be measured. Be sure to take your blood pressure pills and other medications (except cyclosporine or Prograf) before your clinic visit.

How will I know if my body is rejecting my new kidney?

Keep in mind that you may undergo a rejection without having any symptoms. This is one of the reasons that it is important for you to be followed regularly.

Rejection is best treated if found early. It is most important that you keep your clinic appointment as scheduled. If you are around anyone who has chicken pox or the measles, contact your doctor immediately. These childhood diseases can cause more severe illness in people taking immunosuppressant medications. Also, check with your doctor before you receive any vaccinations at an outside clinic.

What other complications can occur?

Nearly everyone with a kidney transplant will experience at least one complication along the way. There are many possible complications, but most are minor. You may need to be seen in clinic more often or be readmitted to the hospital when you have a problem. The medical staff will try to keep you informed of any concerns they might have. Inform the medical staff of any changes regarding your health. Don't forget to ask questions. To be on the safe side, keep your distance from family and friends who are sick. If you have any of the following, be sure to let your doctor know.

Fever over 100.4°F
Nausea or vomiting
Swelling in your legs with decreased urine output
Increasing redness, pain or fluid leaking from your incision
Increasing weakness that does not get better with rest

Do not wait until your next clinic visit or until the weekend is over to report any of these symptoms.

What kinds of activities should I avoid after I go home?

Healing is slower for as long as you are taking prednisone. Your wound will need more time than normal to completely heal. We want you to prevent any injury to your new kidney by taking good care of yourself.

Avoid heavy lifting (more than 10 pounds) to prevent delay in the healing of your wound. Avoid activities that will cause a strain of belly muscles in the transplant area. Exercises, such as sit-ups and straight-leg raises, should be avoided.

Avoid contact sports such as football, wrestling, or boxing. Also, no water skiing until approved by your doctor. Avoid driving for four to six weeks or until approved by your doctor.

Walking, jogging, hiking, bicycling, swimming, tennis and golf are activities that are permitted and will help to increase your strength. The decision of when you can return to work will depend on the type of work that you do and your physical condition. Consult your doctor.

It is important to alert other heath professionals that you have had a kidney transplant. Other health professionals might include dentists or other doctors who become involved in your care. They should know that you are taking prednisone, Imuran® and cyclosporine. It is a good idea to get a medic alert bracelet. In case of an emergency, the bracelet will alert others that you have had a kidney transplant.

What do I do if I have a problem or question after I get home?

Sometimes patients have questions that they forget to ask when they are in clinic. A good rule is to write down your questions and bring them with you to the clinic. If a question can not wait until your next visit, call the Renal Medicine Office at (352) 265-0531 or call toll free (800) 749-7424 extension number 5-0531.

Someone is on call 24-hours a day for serious problems. If you have a life- threatening emergency, go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Statistics

Success rate and various other statistics regarding the Shands Transplant Center at UF are available from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients at ustransplant.org.

Transplant Navigation

Heart and Lung Transplant

Kidney Transplant Navigation

Discharge after transplantation

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment or find out more information about transplant services offered at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 352.265.8000 or toll-free 1.800.749.7424

You may also email our Consultation Center (consult@shands.ufl.edu) or use our secure online form.