Recovery from kidney donation is relatively quick. Because these are typically minimally invasive surgeries to retrieve the kidney: Most donors can return home within two days after surgery One to two weeks later, donors can drive Donors return to work between two and four weeks All normal activities can resume after six weeks Because liver donation is a more serious surgery, recovery does take a bit longer, in part because the incision is made through the abdominal muscles. And while everyone reacts differently: Most donors can return home five to seven days after surgery If living more than two hours away, donors may need to stay in the Columbus area for up to two weeks after surgery May be up and about the week after surgery All normal activities can resume within eight weeks