Life after a transplant

Wyeth Australia has been supporting the needs of transplant recipients. We work closely with organisations such as Transplant Australia to ensure recipients have the information and support they need to live a full and healthy life after their transplantation. Through our partnership with the Red Cross, we’re also helping to raise the community’s understanding of, and in turn help increase rates for, organ donation in Australia. Visit the Red Cross for more information.

Staying healthy
It is important to maintain excellent health after you have had a transplant. This will help you manage the side effects of some of the medicines you’ll be taking and prevent the risk of developing infections or other conditions. As always, the best way to do this is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet.

People who are waiting for transplants are often put on special diets. Your doctor may have asked you to cut down on protein and avoid salt and/or sugar. Now, after a successful transplant, you can probably enjoy a well-balanced diet with fewer restrictions. You may also find that your appetite is better than it was before your transplant. Enjoy your new freedom but be careful about overeating.

The typical diet that doctors recommend after transplant is low in salt and sugar. Also, if you had diabetes before your transplant, you will still have the same dietary concerns after your transplant. Ask your doctor or dietitian about what you should and should not eat. Working together, the two of you can decide on a diet that will be right for you.

Avoiding infection
Immunosuppressants keep your body from rejecting your transplant, but they may also make you more open to illness and infection. During the first 3 months after your transplant, you may need to take higher dosages of your medications because chances of rejection are higher. That’s why it’s very important to be extra careful right after surgery. It is also important to remember that while the risk of infection and rejection of your new organ may decrease over time, it never goes away. That’s why you will need to continue taking your medications as directed by your doctor.

Because the risk of bacterial and fungal infection is greatest in the first few weeks after your surgery, you should probably avoid large crowds in closed spaces, people with known infections or illnesses and taking care of animals.

One of the easiest things you can do to help prevent infection is to wash your hands frequently. It’s a safe and effective way to stop some infections before they start.

Keeping your dentist informed
It’s important to maintain your dental health, so be sure to visit your dentist regularly. Make sure your dentist knows about your transplant and the medications you take. Infection is possible even during a routine cleaning so to help keep you from getting an infection, he or she may give you an appropriate antibiotic.

Letting your vision adjust and staying out of the sun
If your eyesight doesn’t seem to be as good after surgery, don’t worry. The steroids you may be taking may temporarily affect your eyesight. If this problem persists, bring it to the attention of your doctor.

Your medications may also make it easier for the sun to damage your skin. That’s why now it’s even more important for you to wear sunscreen when you’re outside. If a specific product has not been recommended for you, consult your pharmacist regarding a product with the appropriate sun protection factor (SPF).

A lifelong commitment
You need to maintain a lifelong commitment to keeping your transplant kidney healthy. That means taking your medication without fail, seeing your doctor regularly, and living a healthy lifestyle. A positive attitude and the willingness to succeed will help keep your goals well within reach.

While you are recovering, you may experience mood swings that take you from depression, to anxiety, or to anger. This is normal and may be due, in part, to your medications. These feelings will generally go away as your condition improves and you adjust to your medications.

Go ahead and dedicate yourself to feeling good and staying well, one day at a time. You can rely on your family, friends, and your transplant team for support. Just keep a positive attitude, keep taking your medications as directed, and keep in touch with your transplant team—and remember to eat right and exercise. Best of luck in your new life!

Tell someone who cares!
To register for organ donation you need to do two things.
First, join the Australian Organ Donation Register by calling 1800 777 203 or fill in the appropriate space on your NSW driver's licence application when you renew it.

Second, and most important, talk to your family about it. It's vital that they know your wishes as they have to sign a medical authority for the procedure in the event of your death. It's a simple conversation that could result in saving many lives.

For more information visit http://www.organ.redcross.org.au/ .