Life After Kidney Transplant

Having a kidney transplant is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to caring for your health and your transplanted kidney.

Your transplant team will continue to work with you after surgery and throughout your life after transplant.

Follow-Up Care for Your Kidneys

Antirejection Medications

Your immune system naturally sees a transplanted kidney as different from your own body. You'll need to take medications for the rest of your life to help prevent your immune system from rejecting your kidney.

Taking these medications exactly as prescribed is one of the most important things you can do to protect your transplant.

Watching for Rejection and Infection

Rejection and infection are possible after kidney transplant. Your transplant team will teach you what signs to watch for and when to contact us.

Regular blood tests can also help identify changes in kidney function early so your team can respond quickly.

Ongoing Follow-Up Care

Even after you have recovered from surgery, regular follow-up remains important. Your transplant team will continue to monitor your:

• Kidney function
• Anti-rejection medication levels
• Blood pressure
• Signs of rejection
• Signs of infection
• Your overall health

Working With Your Local Healthcare Providers

Your local nephrologist and primary care provider remain important members of your healthcare team after transplant.

Your UVA Health transplant team will continue to manage your transplant-related care. And we work together with your other healthcare providers to support your overall health. After a few years, your transplant care may be transferred to a local nephrologist. If your condition changes in such a way that you need help from the transplant center, the local nephrologist will refer you back to us.

Protecting Your Health

You can help protect your transplanted kidney by:

• Taking medications exactly as prescribed
• Completing laboratory testing
• Making sure to go to follow-up appointments
• Watching your health as instructed
• Following nutrition and food-safety recommendations
• Staying active as recommended
• Keeping up with routine healthcare and screenings
• Contacting your transplant team when you have concerns

Your Transplant Team Is Still Your Team

Your relationship with the transplant team does not end after surgery.

Whether you're at weeks, months, or years beyond your transplant, we remain part of your care.