For patients having a kidney transplant, physicians usually do not recommend travelling far away for the first to six months after transplantation surgery. However, having a kidney transplant shouldn’t hold you back from touring after the specified recovery period. 

Understandably, you might be having second thoughts about planning a trip with an implanted kidney. But with little extra planning and precautions and making travel arrangements in advance, you will be able to enjoy a safer and stress-free trip. 

Read on to learn some tips for a smooth travel after a kidney transplant.

Tips for Safer and Stress-Free Travel After a Kidney Transplant

Whether travelling by train, car, or plane, take into account these tips to ensure a smooth and safe trip ahead after kidney transplant:

• Consult Your Physician

If you have received a kidney a few months back, the first thing you should do before devising your travel plan is to consult with your physician or transplant team. They will run some tests to check your health and suggest whether you are fit enough to travel. 

In addition, your physician will ask about your travel destination and duration and create a personalised healthcare plan, diet restrictions, medication, and fluid intake accordingly. 

• Research Your Location

Before travelling, you should thoroughly research everything about your destination. Get information about the medical facilities, such as nearby hospitals, clinics, or kidney transplant centres, in case of emergency. Familiarising yourself with this information will give you peace of mind and quick medical assistance if needed.

• Pack Your Medications

Medications become an integral part of your life after kidney transplant. When travelling, it’s smart to carry a greater supply of medicines than necessary. You never know if your trip might get extended more than planned because of missed flights, car problems, or your desire to enjoy a few more days at a specific place. 

Moreover, instead of packing all your medications in a single bag, carry them in multiple bags so that you can find the spare one even if one bag is lost. Keeping your medicines in their original bottles rather than changing them is a good idea so you don’t trigger any questions during airport security checks.

• Timing is key

Kidney transplant recipients are required to take their medications on time every day. So, if you are travelling to a destination with a different time zone, don’t let this difference throw you off schedule.

For instance, suppose you have a time zone difference of 2-3 hours between your residential place and trip destination. In such a case, you can ignore the time difference and have your medicines at the same time as you would take at home. 

Conversely, consider adjusting your medication schedule to the local time when the time zone at your destination varies immensely from your hometown.

• Keep it Clean

Whether navigating the railway station or airport or getting settled in your train’s or plane’s seat, these heavily crowded places are breeding grounds for germs. When travelling, you should keep your nearby surfaces clean to prevent your implanted organ from contracting any infection. So, keep sanitising wipes close by so that you can wipe down hard surfaces like door handles, plane seatbelt buckles, or tray tables. 

In addition, carry your hand sanitiser and sanitise your hands before eating to kill the germs. Lastly, wear a mask for additional protection when travelling outdoors, regardless of whether your destination requires it.

• Watch Out for the Sun Rays

Medications for a kidney transplant can make you sensitive to prolonged sun exposure. Chances are, anywhere you plan a trip, you will find the sun. So, bring your sun protection in the form of sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, water bottles, and long-sleeved t-shirts. 

Moreover, when on vacation, avoid outdoor activities during peak hours when the sun is blazing, usually from 10 am to 4 pm. You can plan indoor activities during these hours, like visiting a museum. 

• Plan Your Diet

Diet is everything when you are travelling, especially after a kidney transplant. You can discuss the customised travel-friendly dietary plan with your physician. 

Make sure to avoid consuming foods high in potassium, sodium, and phosphorus and packed or canned foods. In addition, you can minimise your chances of suffering from diarrhoea while travelling by avoiding uncooked foods, except peeled fruits. 

If travelling by plane, you can ask the airline carrier in advance if they can provide meals according to your diet. Otherwise, carrying homemade snacks and kidney-friendly foods is a good idea when travelling.

• Maintain the Suggested Fluid Intake

If planning a trip somewhere warm post renal transplant, make sure to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You don’t want to suffer from the adverse effects of dehydration on your implanted kidney. 

However, unlike a normal individual, a physician needs to monitor the amount of fluids a kidney recipient takes. Therefore, always consult your healthcare provider about how much fluids you should take when travelling. Make sure not to exceed the fluid intake limit advised by your physician.

In addition, check the water quality in the destination you plan to visit to stay safe from waterborne diseases. 

• Pack the Fast-Aid-Kit

Before heading out for your trip, pack a separate fast-aid kit with items like band-aids, emergency medicines, cotton balls, antiseptic liquid, thermometers, etc. If any emergency arises during your trip, you can use this emergency kit to manage the situation quickly. 

To sum up it all!

Who says you can’t enjoy your life after renal transplant? If craving travelling and relaxing your mind, following the above-discussed tips can help you make the most out of your trip post-transplant. 

Planning to consult a kidney care physician for a safe travel after a transplant? Book an appointment with the kidney transplant specialists at Medanta to seek the best possible advice!