You will be encouraged to get out of bed as soon as possible-- usually the first or second day after surgery. This is an important way to prevent pneumonia. We will encourage you to walk around your room and down the hall at least three times a day. Walking increases your blood circulation, helps relieve gas pains, and helps maintain your muscle tone.

Each morning, we will draw blood to follow your progress and adjust your daily medicines. The most important blood tests to measure your kidney function are B.U.N. and CREATININE.

Another way to watch your new kidney's progress is to accurately measure how much fluid you drink each day and how much urine you put out. At first the nurses will measure this for you. Eventually you will be taught to do this for yourself.

You will be weighed daily before breakfast. It is important to weigh at the same time each day on the same scales with the same clothes on. This is a habit you'll need to continue after you're sent home. Weight gain can be a sign of rejection of your new kidney.

Once you and your nurse feel you are able to care for yourself outside the hospital you will be sent home. If you live out of town you may want to stay at the Guest House Inn near Vanderbilt for a short period of time after discharge. During this time you will be coming back to Vanderbilt for outpatient evaluation two to three times per week.