After Transplant There is a possibility of needing dialysis after the transplant operation. There are two reasons for this. One reason is that the kidney may develop acute temporary changes between the time it is removed from the donor and transplanted to the recipient. You will receive a medicine called ATG instead. The other reason for dialysis is that during an episode of rejection, dialysis may be necessary to provide support while the kidney is not working.
Dialysis is stopped when the kidney is working.
Diet During the period of waiting for the kidney to function at a normal level, some diet restrictions of sodium, potassium, fluids, and protein may be necessary. When the kidney is functioning normally, these diet restrictions are usually lessened. There are medicines that are given after a transplant for their immunosuppressive action. These medications will be taken for the life of the transplant. Their action is to suppress the natural body response of rejection of foreign tissue.