Open Live Donor Nephrectomy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Open live donor nephrectomy (ne-FREK-to-me) is surgery to remove a kidney. The kidney is then placed in another person who has kidney disease or damage. A person who donates (gives) a kidney is called a donor. The person who receives the kidney is called a recipient. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs found under the ribs on each side of the upper abdomen. The kidneys remove wastes and other unwanted chemicals from the body. These wastes are flushed out of the body in urine. When kidneys are badly damaged, these wastes build up in a person's body. The waste build-up causes symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, seizures, confusion, fainting, and may even lead to death.
  
  
• To be a kidney donor, you must be in good health, and between 18 and 70 years old. To be a donor, you must know and understand what can happen to you. You must also have thought carefully about giving your kidney to someone else. Your kidney can replace the damaged kidney, and help the recipients body to get rid of wastes as it should. Being a kidney donor may help the person who is the kidney recipient live longer.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to fight or prevent an infection caused by bacteria. Always take your antibiotics exactly as ordered by your caregiver. Keep taking this medicine until it is completely gone, even if you feel better. Stopping antibiotics without your caregiver's OK may make the medicine unable to kill all of the germs. Never "save" antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take at home to take away or decrease pain. Your caregiver will tell you how much to take and how often to take it. Take the medicine exactly as directed by your caregiver. Do not wait until the pain is too bad before taking your medicine. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Tell caregivers if the pain medicine does not help, or if your pain comes back too soon.
  
  
• Stool softeners: You may be given stool softeners to soften your bowel movements, making them easier to pass.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Ask your caregiver when you need to return to have your wound checked, and the stitches and drain removed.

Activity: Avoid doing activities that include lifting, pulling, and pushing. Ask your caregiver about other activity guidelines, and when you can get back to doing your usual activities such as sports.

Bathing: Do not let your stitches get wet unless your caregiver says it is OK. Ask your caregiver when you will be able to bathe, shower, or swim. When you are are able to bathe or shower, carefully wash your stitches with soap and water. Afterwards, put on a clean, new bandage. Change your bandage any time it gets wet or dirty. If you cannot reach the bandage, ask someone else to help you change it. You may have steri-strips (thin strips of tape) on your incision. Keep them clean and dry. As they start to peel off, let them fall off by themselves. Do not pull them off.

Eating and drinking:

• Eat a variety of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you have more energy and heal faster. Ask your caregiver if you need to be on a special diet.
  
  
• Men 19 years old and older should drink about 3.0 Liters of liquid each day (close to 13 eight-ounce cups). Women 19 years old and older should drink about 2.2 Liters of liquid each day (close to 9 eight-ounce cups). Follow your caregiver's advice if you must change the amount of liquid you drink. For most people, good liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. If you are used to drinking liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee, these can also be counted in your daily liquid amount. Try to drink enough liquid each day, and not just when you feel thirsty.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have blood in your urine.
  
  
• You have chills, a cough, or feel weak and achy.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have sudden trouble breathing or chest pain.
  
  
• You have trouble having a bowel movement or urinating.
  
  
• Your bandage becomes soaked with blood.
  
  
• Your incision is swollen, red, has pus coming from it, or the stitches have come apart.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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