People think of kidney transplants as the optimal surgical procedure to add a few more years to their lives. However, anyone who has undergone kidney transplant surgery might have heard of organ rejection as the major concern for treatment failure. Moreover, new research suggests that many diseases like infections, cancer, or heart disorders can also pose a threat to long-term survival after the transplantation of kidney. 

So, how can you reduce the chances of organ rejection or contracting other fatal diseases? Your lifestyle choices can hugely contribute to the success of kidney transplant treatment. Changing your lifestyle, such as improving your weight, exercising, having a healthy diet, etc., can improve post-transplantation outcomes. 

Let’s read further to learn how different lifestyle factors can affect kidney transplant health outcomes.

Key Lifestyle Factors to Consider After Kidney Transplant

For individuals suffering from severe kidney disease or failure, a transplant is the ideal solution to secure another chance at their life. However, achieving a maximum life after kidney transplant depends on how you live your life. 

The following listed are some key lifestyle factors considering which you can reduce the chances of organ rejection and preserve the health of a transplanted kidney: 

Exercising Post-Kidney Transplant

Exercising has always been a vital part of a healthy lifestyle as it helps control blood pressure and sugar levels, improve sleep patterns, increase energy levels, strengthen muscles and bones, and improve blood circulation. But, its importance skyrockets for renal transplant recipients. Keeping active is crucial to maintaining the kidneys and overall health post-transplantation. 

Indulging in regular cardio or aerobic exercise after kidney transplant plays a vital role in maintaining your cardiovascular health and decreasing the risk of metabolic syndrome. In addition, you can do weight-bearing exercises to reduce the risk of bone diseases.

After receiving a kidney transplant, you might be limited to certain activities for the first few weeks as your body heals. Don’t worry! You can start by walking a little to prevent blood clots. Once recovered, you can start with jogging, swimming, cycling, or other moderate exercises.

Aiming for a Healthy Weight

Weight gain is common post a kidney transplantation surgery. So you don’t need to feel depressed about it. You might see your weight increasing, especially in the first year after getting your kidney transplanted. It can happen because of the side effects of medications, your diet being less restrictive, or you having a better appetite with improving health.

However, gaining too much weight can negatively affect your overall health by straining your heart and blood vessels. So, one of the most critical lifestyle changes after kidney transplant is eating healthily and staying active to maintain a healthy weight. 

You can consult your transplant team or a professional dietician about how to lose weight without straining the transplanted organ.

Giving up on Alcohol Consumption and Smoking

If you consume alcohol or smoke, you should completely give up on them. Ideally, your doctor will highly recommend quitting them before kidney transplant surgery. Drinking alcohol, smoking, or chewing tobacco can increase the risk of heart and lung problems, strokes, or hernias in renal transplant patients.

Giving up alcohol, cigarettes, and other tobacco products will help prevent problems during your transplantation surgery and maintain general well-being post-surgery.

Post-Kidney Transplant Diet 

Good nutrients are key to a quicker, successful recovery after a kidney transplant. Your body will need calories and protein in adequate quantities to be healthy. However, side effects of post-transplantation medications can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb and utilise nutrients.

So, you might have to make some changes in your diet as recommended by your transplant team to deal with the changes in your nutritional requirements. Here outlined are some foods good for the kidney:

• Proteins: In the initial months after a kidney transplant, you might need to increase your protein intake to help your body heal faster and rebuild the damaged muscle tissue broken down by steroids. You should have lean sources of protein and plant-based options.
• Potassium: Transplant medications can also dramatically increase or decrease your potassium levels, causing issues with your muscles and heart functioning. Speak to your doctor to know whether you need to restrict your potassium intake. Consider having low-potassium alternatives like berries, cauliflower, apples, and green beans.
• Sodium: Your body might increasingly hold on to sodium and water due to transplantation medicines, raising your blood pressure. Hence, you should reduce sodium intake by limiting salt and opting for fresh items over canned or processed options.
• Calcium: Due to transplant medications, your body might find it hard to absorb calcium, leading to calcium loss. Hence, your bones might become fragile with time, increasing the fracture risk. Take calcium through leafy greens, plant-based alternatives, low-dairy products, and vitamin D supplements to improve your body’s calcium absorption. 
• Phosphorus: After a kidney transplant, you should consume phosphorus-rich foods, like milk, nuts, seeds, etc., to replenish low phosphorus levels.
• Fluids: Your kidney transplant team might encourage you to drink plenty of fluids to ensure the transplanted organ works properly. However, some patients might be prescribed a fluid-restriction diet. Such patients should drink comparatively less amounts of fluids and reduce their salt or sodium intake.

Foods to avoid after a kidney transplant

Having transplant drugs can weaken your immune system and elevate your chances of contracting food-borne infections. To be on the safe side, ask your transplant team about the food to avoid after surgery. These foods might include undercooked or raw eggs, poultry, fish, and meat and dairy products like cheese, milk, yoghurt, etc. 

All-in-All

Undergoing a renal transplant surgery is a major life change. How you live and what you eat is paramount to maintaining the health of the transplanted organ. If you have questions about the post-transplantation routine, consult Medanta kidney transplant specialists for an individualised lifestyle plan specific to your health condition.