Follow-up appointments after a pancreas transplant

You can call (352) 265-0254 or (800) 749-7424 ext 5-0254 to make a referral to the pancreas transplant program at the Shands Transplant Center at the University of Florida.

Your first Shands Transplant Center 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 Center will depend on how well you are doing. In some cases, your care will be shared between our medical staff and your local doctor. In any case, we expect you to return to Shands Transplant Center every six months. We will work with you and your local doctor to monitor your blood tests and adjust your medications as needed.

What to expect
You will be given instructions about having your blood drawn and clinic visits before you leave the hospital. The medical staff will see you in the Transplant Center. Any medical problems you might be having will be reviewed and a short physical will be done. Your lab results will be reviewed with you. You may take your morning medications after your blood is drawn. If your Prograf or Cyclosporine levels are not available while you are in clinic, the clinic staff will call you later in the day if your dosage needs to be adjusted. Be prepared to spend several hours in Shands Transplant Center on the day of your appointment.

What to bring
Please bring your transplant handbook and medication list every time you come to the Shands Transplant Center or visit your local doctor. You should get in the habit of writing down your weight, blood pressure and important lab values. Remember to make changes on your medication sheet when your dosages are adjusted.

Bring your morning dose of Prograf or Cyclosporine with you. Do not take your Prograf or Cyclosporine until after your blood is drawn. The doctor in clinic will let you know late morning or early afternoon what dose of Prograf or Cyclosporine to begin taking if your dosage needs to be changed. You may take the rest of your scheduled medications before clinic, unless you are told otherwise.

What you need to know about medications
Rejection can occur at any time after your transplant. Never let yourself run out of or take less than the prescribed amount of medicine or you will cause your body to reject the pancreas.

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 medicines 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, CellCept, Prograf and Cyclosporine are needed to keep your body from rejecting the new pancreas. Know your medications, dosages and the time of day you take them. Do not take any over-the-counter medications without checking with your transplant team.

Changes in your medications and medication dosages will continue after you leave the hospital. Remember to bring your Prograf or Cyclosporine with you. Do not take your Prograf or Cyclosporine on the morning of clinic until after your blood has been drawn.

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.

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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.