A kidney transplant can bring many benefits to you if you are experiencing kidney failure. If you receive a kidney transplant, it is important to care for yourself to make sure you avoid complications, such as organ rejection.
Part of caring for yourself includes following temporary activity restrictions, which your transplant care team sets. The good news is that with time, your life should be able to return to normal as much as possible. If you have any questions about any activity restriction, ask your care team.
Travel Restrictions
It is usually recommended to wait six months after a kidney transplant to travel by plane. You will need to wear a mask during travel to prevent respiratory illnesses.
Also, it is usually recommended to wait a year after a kidney transplant to go on a cruise. To prevent respiratory illnesses, you should wear a mask as often as possible. If your cruise offers prepared meals, take advantage of those when possible instead of visiting the buffet.
If you travel internationally, do not eat street cart food since it has been sitting out and could be contaminated by bacteria. Also, drink bottled water instead of tap water.
Outdoor and Indoor Activity Restrictions
Three months after your kidney transplant, you should be able to resume the following activities:
- Hiking
- Light running or jogging
- Working out at the gym (follow any weightlifting restrictions)
- Sit-ups
- Pushups
Six months after your kidney transplant, you should be able to resume the following activities:
- Golf
- Tennis
- Pickleball
- Fishing (with gloves and sun protection)
- Using a private pool
- Visiting the ocean
One year after your kidney transplant, you can use a private hot tub and/or a public pool.
Never use a public hot tub and never swim in fresh water, such as lakes, rivers or ponds.
You may resume sexual activity six weeks after your kidney transplant.
Yard Work, Farming and Gardening
Six months after your kidney transplant, you can return to cutting grass and crop farming if you wear a mask, and you can resume gardening if you wear a mask and gloves.
One year after your kidney transplant, you can resume livestock farming if you wear a mask and gloves.
After your transplant, you can have and take care of houseplants, but you should not replant or repot plants.
Weightlifting
After your transplant, it is generally recommended to follow these guidelines for weightlifting or lifting or carrying heavy objects:
- Zero to four weeks post-transplant: 5 pounds maximum
- Four to six weeks post-transplant: 10 pounds maximum
- Three to six months post-transplant: 20 pounds maximum
- Six to nine months post-transplant: 40 pounds maximum
- Nine to 12 months post-transplant: 60 pounds maximum
If you need to lift more weight for work, you will need to wear an abdominal binder or you will need to do a light-duty program if your work offers it. A letter can be written on your behalf documenting your restrictions and listing the accommodations you may need.
Returning to Work
Most kidney transplant recipients can go back to work eight to twelve weeks after their transplant. As previously stated, you may need to start by doing a light-duty program if your work offers it.
UofL Health is Here for You
At the UofL Health – Trager Transplant Center, more patients leave our center every year with a renewed lease on life than any other program in the region. As one of the leading providers of advanced organ disease and transplantation care in the country, we make it our mission to improve and save lives. Call 502-587-4358 to schedule an appointment.
