My dad has to have a kidney removed What can we expect after the operation ?

[MICHAELLYNCH]

We are all very shocked and cant believe its happening

does he need to use a dialysis machine indefinetley
or is it just for a while to assist the remaining kidney ?

Also what do we have to expect while he is on it
will he be in pain or is the procedure painless

but the main concern is will he recover to his best health
after a few months on the machine

he"s always very active has his own buisness and is very busy
we cant imagine him hooked up to a machine and not out
working doing what he loves

he has been in a hospital bed for over a week now and
he hates it he"s feeling down and doesnt even feel like
washing his face which is very unusual for him as he is
always very clean

He went into the hospital with a bladder infection
because he was passing blood in his urine

after tests they found that his kidney had stopped working
and he had a blood clot near the kidney

He is going for the operation on wednesday so It would be nice to
get a heads up of what to expect in the next few weeks or months

Any help appreciated in this matter

we"re all very worried about him and cant imagine him hooked up to a machine

Thanks in advance

[Coravh]

Is he on dialysis now? Have they said he will be on dialysis after the kidney removal? This would probably only occur if there is a problem with the remaining kidney. My cousin gave me a kidney and did not have to do dialysis at all. The person losing (or giving) a kidney is typically very tired for a while because it takes some time for the remaining kidney to pick up the slack. There are some restrictions after surgery like limits on weights that can be lifted for about 6 weeks post surgery. A person can live a completely normal life with only one kidney. That is why kidney donation works.

As for dialysis, it is typically not painful (although sometimes craming can occur). You often feel tired after and if it is for severe kidney impairment, there are often diet and fluid restrictions.

Hope this helps a bit. Please keep us posted.

[MICHAELLYNCH]

No he"s not on dialysis now and they havent said anything to him to my knowledge

but he was very worried about having to use the machine
or that his other kidney was well enough to do the job

they think the drugs he was taking for his colitis had something
to do with his kidney failing

he isnt getting keyhole surgery so he has to have the big slice
but I think they are going in from the front

they say his kidney is i a good place for operating on so thats good news anyway

you say there are diet and fluid restrictions
can you give me some more information on that

and any advice that may help him after the surgery to make him more comfortable

I have read a good few people mention a pillow to hold for when
he has to cough to ease the pain and I have bought him a pillow
for that

also would be good to know what will be good for him to eat and drink afterwards

I think he was just worried about the dialysis machine
when he thought about himself hooked up to it
for the rest of his life

He is just worried and thinking the worst

thanks Cora

any help will be appreciated

Michael

[Coravh]

If they haven't put him on dialysis and the kidney has already failed, the odds are that he won't need to go on the machine at all. You only need to go on dialysis if both kidneys have failed. The dietitian in the hospital will tell him what is good for him to eat,but there should be no special restrictions. He will most likely have to keep hydrated, but again they will tell him what to do.

You are right about the pillow for coughing. While it is a large surgery,I know many people that end up leaving the hospital in about a week. It does take a month or two to completely recover, as I said before, but usually people live just fine with only one kidney.

[MICHAELLYNCH]

Oh thats great he was delighted to hear that

Thanks for you help

Im glad I found this forum none of us knew what to expect it all happened so fast

Will he be able to walk around after a week or not ?

should we find a wheelchair for him just for a few weeks ?

Thanks again and sorry I didnt reply sooner
I went up to visit him yesterday and had no
access to the internet