This involves blood tests several times a week just after the transplant. Before long, it will not be necessary for blood tests or doctor visits to be so frequent. However, you always will need to have your kidney function and medicines checked from time to time. Removal of your old kidneys is usually not necessary before or during a kidney transplant. The main goal of transplantation is rehabilitation.
Many patients can return to work in three to eight weeks after their transplant.
The most important complication that may occur after transplant is rejection of the kidney - The body's immune system guards against attack by all foreign matter, such as bacteria. Anti-rejection medications, such as steroids, azathioprine and cyclosporine, help to prevent this, but when it does occur, additional treatment often can reverse rejection episodes. Frequent checkups according to your doctor's recommendation will ensure early diagnosis of rejection. Anti-rejection medicines have a large number of possible side effects because the body's immune defenses are suppressed. Fortunately, these side effects usually are manageable for most patients.