Top Tips For Kidney Donation Before The Surgery
If you are preparing to give your loved on a kidney then you'll be getting lots of information from your doctors and nurses. This is the advice that they won't give you, from someone who has donated! Here are some top tips to help you look after yourself before and after the surgery.
- Remember you are in charge – no one knows exactly how you feel; it is your life and your body.
- When visiting the hospital take lots of drinks and snacks,
and even stuff to pass the time – there is a lot of waiting involved.
- Get fit beforehand - every minute you spend in the gym or eating healthily before surgery will pay off. Although it's depressing when you see the difference between your level of fitness before and after, you will heal faster if you are healthy. Try as far as possible, without going over the BMI limit, to build as much muscle as you can through exercise and eating protein. My body just stripped down my muscles to rebuild itself and I lost a stone in those first few weeks. Also my local gym was very supportive – they gave me a holiday from fees for as long as I needed it – about 8 weeks, and then it was great to be able to go in to work out at exactly the level I needed.
- Have a great party before the surgery and keep the pictures close to hand, so that whenever you feel at your worst you can look at them and remember that you do look good, you know how to have a good time and you'll be doing both very soon.
- Get a comfortable mattress. And lots of pillows and cushions, so you can actually get comfortable enough to sleep.
- Don't volunteer for anything else.
- Get lots of good videos and books in, as well as all your favourite foods, there is no such thing as too much preparation. Although other people may say they will bring stuff for you, remember that they are often really freaked out too, so may not be that reliable. If there is food etc. that you really want – buy or order it when you are able to, before the surgery. Or you can also set up an internet shop with all your essentials so you can just order at the press of a button! (Also remember that initially your mental capacity may be around the OK! magazine and Friends level, so don't think you'll be able to watch all of those art house films and get through Kafka at this time! I couldn't even read my Harry Potters.)
- Buy lots of comfortable baggy trousers. Jogging bottoms are a must! You may live in these for 6-8 weeks, so get some nice ones! And don't be afraid to go a size up – I definitely swelled up another dress size or two.
- Don't plan to do a lot of stuff when you're recuperating, remember there's a reason you're off work.
- You may not be able to eat very much after the surgery. It is most important that you keep up your protein intake to help your body rebuild itself and your fibre intake to prevent constipation. Surround yourself with high protein and fruit and vegetable snacks. Get a supply of high protein, easy to munch foods beforehand, such as Babybel cheeses and nuts, also trekking bars are great – I highly recommend the Nak'd ones available at Holland & Barrett.
- Stock up on remedies for everything you're susceptible to; thrush, cystitis, IBS, migraines, stomach upsets, Dioralyte (for if you get diarrhoea) and try to check with the doctor or nurse prior to surgery if they're okay to mix with your pain medication.
- I’ve also had great results using Manuka Honey (10+ strength) on all kinds of bacterial infections recently and apparently some people are now experimenting with using this directly on wounds. So perhaps you could look into this and/or discuss with your surgeon. (I tried arnica when I had my surgery but didn’t think it had much effect - so it really is whatever works for you!)
- Big pants! Not the Bridget Jones type that suck you in (ouch!) What you will need are knickers one or two sizes bigger than your normal size, preferably with hardly any elastic to them. Essentially you want something that isn't really going to touch you at all as your middle is going to be really sore. It's gross, but thongs two sizes bigger than your normal size may just be your perfect pant at this time.
- Ladies – a few days after the surgery I got my period very early. I am not sure if this was a side effect of the surgery, but please pack your hospital bag accordingly. Also I am sorry to say that my periods were a lot more painful for a while after the surgery. You can try and use some of pain management techniques here, or alternatively you could ask your doctor if and when you can go back on the contraceptive pill – as this does really lighten my periods and provides a bit of respite. It's also worth discussing with your surgeon AND your GP (as they may differ in opinion) about the wisdom of using ibuprofen as a pain killer for periods. Renal doctors don't like you to use it as does affect the kidneys, but your GP may advise that it's fine to take for a few days and is much more effective as it actually slows down your period – but always seek medical advice (even if you don't follow it to the letter!)
- Make sure you have a hot water bottle and everyday pain killers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
- If very lovely friends invite you to stay with them at this time – consider it. I had a lot of offers, but decided to stay with my family. Remember that if you are donating to another family member, (or even if not) this can be a difficult time for them and it may not be easy for them to support you in the way that you need. I was happiest when I finally got back to my own home, even though it was earlier than planned and a few very lovely friends would visit me, even drive me to their house for dinner. Please accept every offer of support you receive, even if you don't eventually take it up.
- Also remember that you won't be able to drive for a while, and even being a passenger can be painful, so ask people with really nice comfortable cars to be your chauffeurs (and avoid speed bumps if you can!)
