Rhode Island Hospital
Living Donor Transplant Program
Donor Guide
What to Expect After Surgery
After surgery you will wake up in the recovery room. You will remain
in the recovery room until the anesthesia has worn off.
Upon awakening you will have:
- An intravenous line, which will remain in for approximately
two days.
- An oxygen mask on, which will be removed once you are fully
awake.
- A surgical dressing over the incision.
- A catheter, which was placed while you were under anesthesia,
in the bladder to drain and measure the urine. The catheter is
usually removed the day after surgery.
- Compression boots or plastic sleeves over the legs that will
inflate and deflate to gently squeeze the legs. Compression boots
are used to prevent blood clots. You will wear the boots until
you are able to get out of bed and walk.
The Hospital Stay
Once awake, you will be taken to a hospital room. The expected
length of stay for open nephrectomy is four days; for the laparoscopic
procedure, the hospital stay is usually two days.
During the hospital stay you will be encouraged to cough and deep
take a deep breath every two hours. You will be given an incentive
spirometer, a plastic device that helps expand the lungs and prevent
pneumonia. Most donors find it helpful to use a pillow to splint
or apply pressure over the incision for comfort while coughing and
deep breathing.
The nursing staff will assist the donor with getting out of bed
until he/she is able to do so independently. Expect to get out of
bed the day after surgery. The staff will also assist the donor
to walk the day after surgery. Once you are fully ambulatory, the
compression stockings can be removed.
Going home 
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