Lahey Transplant - Living Kidney Donor

12. At-Home Recovery

As a donor, you’ll find that your body recovers quickly after surgery. This is because our kidney donation surgery is a minimally-invasive procedure, and a healthy body can function normally with only one kidney without experiencing a reduced quality of life. Once you get home, you’ll be able to gradually participate in more demanding activities as your body returns to normal.

Recovery Period

Recovery Timeline

These recovery timeframes vary from patient to patient. They are provided as a rough estimate of your recovery process, but many factors will affect your actual recovery times. Talk to your donor coordinator if you have any concerns.

2 days: Discharge from hospital
10 days: You'll be able to perform household chores.
14 days: You'll be able to drive a car, after clearance from the transplant team.
21 days: You'll be allowed to return to work.
25 days: Aerobic exercise, jogging, swimming.
1 month: Lift up to 20 pounds. (Such as a baby, groceries, or a cat).
6 weeks: Participate in low-impact sports.
6 months: If female, you'll be recovered enough to pursue pregnancy.

Recovery Concerns

You may resume sexual activities as soon as your sutures have healed. It is your responsibility to be cautious and to avoid injury.
You are allowed to consume alcohol after you've healed completely, but we encourage you to do so in moderation.
We urge you not to participate in contact sports for the rest of your life because accidental injury to your remaining kidney may be life-threatening.
There will be no changes to your diet, but you will have to drink at least 2 liters of water daily for the first month after surgery.
Avoid Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Nuprin, and Motrin for 3 months after donation. These products are blood-thinners and have an adverse effect on the healing process.
If you suspect something is going wrong with your recovery, you should contact Lahey’s donor team immediately at (781) 744-2500.