Recovery After Transplant

The incision will be sore while you are healing. You will have frequent visits with your care team for a few months to monitor your recovery and look for signs of complications. You will have blood tests during this time and may have changes to medications. Your team may advise cardiac rehab to help with recovery. Anti-rejection medications will be required for the rest of your life.

Most hospital stays may be 1-2 weeks, but may be longer if there are complications.

Most heart transplant recipients can return to work or normal activites in about 3-6 months.

Heart transplant outcomes within the first 30 days are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page.

Six month and 1 year outcomes are available for regional and national groups and for specific patient characteristics in an interactive report.

Heart transplant outcomes within the first 90 days and 1 year are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page.

Heart transplants can last several decades, but outcomes for a specific person will depend on many factors. Coming soon: watch for a new long-term outcomes calculator.

A healthy lifestyle after a heart transplant will look similar to a healthy lifestyle while waiting for a transplant. However, the anti-rejection medications will impact your immune system and increase the chances of some health issues, like cancer. Make sure you go to all doctor appointments, take all medications as prescribed - especially anti-rejection medications - and follow diet,  exercise, and cancer screening guidelines from your care team, and stay involved in healthy activities, including spending time with family and friends.

Heart transplant outcomes at 3 years are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page. Long-term outcomes up to 10 years are only available regionally and nationally for specific patient characteristics, including age, height, VAD, and many others in an interactive report.

Yes. It is important to find a new transplant center for health check-ups before you move. Talk to your transplant care team about finding new center that will manage your post-surgery care. You also can start looking for a transplant center on the center search page.

Transplanted organs may not last a lifetime. How long a transplanted organ will last may depend on how well patients match with the donor, your age, and following care recommendations from your doctors.

If the function of the transplanted heart declines. your team will look for causes of the decline. In some cases, the causes can be managed with medications. You may be able to consider a mechanical assist device. Managing with medications for as long as possible can include palliative care. Although rare, you might be evaluated for a new  transplant.

Regional and national long-term retransplant outcomes are available up to 10 years in an interactive report. Coming soon: watch for a new long-term outcomes calculator.

The incision will be sore while you are healing. You will have frequent visits with your care team for a few weeks to monitor your recovery and look for signs of complications. You will have blood tests during this time and may have changes to medications. Anti-rejection medications will be required as long as the kidney is working.

Most hospital stays may be a few days or up to a week, but may be longer if there are complications.

Most kidney transplant recipients can return to work or normal activities in about 8 weeks. Heavy lifting is not recommended during the first 3-6 months of recovery.

Kidney transplant outcomes within the first 30 days are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page.

Sometimes it takes time for a transplanted kidney to start functioning. In these cases, you may temporarily need dialysis until the kidney starts working.

Six month and 1 year outcomes are available for regional and national groups and for specific patient characteristics in an interactive report.

Kidney transplant outcomes within the first 90 days and 1 year are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page.

Kidney transplants can last several decades, but outcomes for a specific person will depend on many factors. Coming soon: watch for a new long-term outcomes calculator.

A healthy lifestyle after a kidney transplant will look similar to a healthy lifestyle while waiting for a transplant. However, the anti-rejection medications will impact your immune system and increase the chances of some health issues, like cancer. Make sure you go to all doctor appointments, take all medications as prescribed - especially anti-rejection medications - and follow diet, exercise, and cancer screening guidelines from your care team, and stay involved in healthy activities, including spending time with family and friends.

Kidney transplant outcomes at 3 years are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page. Long-term outcomes up to 10 years are only available regionally and nationally for specific patient characteristics, including age, race, years of dialysis, and many others in an interactive report.

Yes. It is important to find a new transplant center for health check-ups before you move. Talk to your transplant care team about finding new center that will manage your post-surgery care. You also can start looking for a transplant center on the center search page.

Transplanted organs may not last a lifetime. How long a transplanted organ will last may depend on how well patients match with the donor, your age, and following care recommendations from your doctors.

If your transplanted kidney stops working, you can consider an evaluation for a new transplant, starting or restarting dialysis, or managing with medications for as long as possible which can include palliative care.

Regional and national long-term retransplant outcomes are available up to 10 years in an interactive report. Coming soon: watch for a new long-term outcomes calculator.

The incision will be sore while you are healing. You will have frequent visits with your care team for a few weeks to monitor your recovery and look for signs of complications. You will have blood tests during this time and may have changes to medications. Anti-rejection medications will be required for the rest of your life.

Most hospital stays may be 1-2 weeks, but may be longer if there are complications.

Most liver transplant recipients can return to work or normal activites in about 12 weeks. Heavy lifting is not recommended during the first 3-6 months of recovery.

Liver transplant outcomes within the first 30 days are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page.

Six month and 1 year outcomes are available for regional and national groups and for specific patient characteristics in an interactive report.

Liver transplant outcomes within the first 90 days and 1 year are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page.

Liver transplants can last several decades, but outcomes for a specific person will depend on many factors. Coming soon: watch for a new long-term outcomes calculator.

A healthy lifestyle after a liver transplant will look similar to a healthy lifestyle while waiting for a transplant. However, the anti-rejection medications will impact your immune system and increase the chances of some health issues, like cancer. Make sure you go to all doctor appointments, take all medications as prescribed - especially anti-rejection medications - and follow diet, exercise, and cancer screening guidelines from your care team, and stay involved in healthy activities, including spending time with family and friends.

Liver transplant outcomes at 3 years are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page. Long-term outcomes up to 10 years are only available regionally and nationally for specific patient characteristics, including age, race, MELD score, and many others in an interactive report.

If the previous problem with your liver was caused by alcohol misuse, you are advised not to drink alcohol again. It may also be a good idea not to drink alcohol even if your liver problem was not alcohol-related, although in some cases it may be fine to do so in moderation. Speak to your care team for advice.

Yes. It is important to find a new transplant center for health check-ups before you move. Talk to your transplant care team about finding new center that will manage your post-surgery care. You also can start looking for a transplant center on the center search page.

Transplanted organs may not last a lifetime. How long a transplanted organ will last may depend on how well patients match with the donor, your age, and following care recommendations from your doctors.

If your transplanted liver stops working, you can consider an evaluation for a new transplant or managing with medications for as long as possible which can include palliative care.

Regional and national long-term retransplant outcomes are available up to 10 years in an interactive report. Coming soon: watch for a new long-term outcomes calculator.

The incision will be sore while you are healing. You will have frequent visits with your care team for a few months to monitor your recovery and look for signs of complications. You will have blood tests during this time and may have changes to medications. You will also have chest imaging and bronchoscopies. Anti-rejection medications will be required for the rest of your life.

Most hospital stays may be 1-2 weeks, but may be longer if there are complications.

Most lung transplant recipients can return to work or normal activites in about 3-6 months.

Lung transplant outcomes within the first 30 days are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page.

Monitoring the diseased lung will be a part of your regular check-ups. Your transplant care team will help you determine the best ways to handle the disease in the lung that was not removed.

Six month and 1 year outcomes are available for regional and national groups and for specific patient characteristics in an interactive report.

Lung transplant outcomes within the first 90 days and 1 year are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page.

Lung transplants can last several decades, but outcomes for a specific person will depend on many factors. Coming soon: watch for a new long-term outcomes calculator.

A healthy lifestyle after a lung transplant will look similar to a healthy lifestyle while waiting for a transplant. However, the anti-rejection medications will impact your immune system and increase the chances of some health issues, like cancer. Make sure you go to all doctor appointments, take all medications as prescribed - especially anti-rejection medications - and follow diet,  exercise, and cancer screening guidelines from your care team, and stay involved in healthy activities, including spending time with family and friends.

Lung transplant outcomes at 3 years are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page. Long-term outcomes up to 10 years are only available regionally and nationally for specific patient characteristics, including age, race, height, and many others in an interactive report.

Yes. It is important to find a new transplant center for health check-ups before you move. Talk to your transplant care team about finding new center that will manage your post-surgery care. You also can start looking for a transplant center on the center search page.

Transplanted organs may not last a lifetime. How long a transplanted organ will last may depend on how well patients match with the donor, your age, and following care recommendations from your doctors.

If your transplanted lung stops working, you can consider an evaluation for a new transplant or managing with medications for as long as possible which can include palliative care.

Regional and national long-term retransplant outcomes are available up to 10 years in an interactive report.

The incision will be sore while you are healing. You will have frequent visits with your care team for a few weeks to monitor your recovery and look for signs of complications. You will have blood tests during this time and may have changes to medications. Anti-rejection medications will be required for as long as the pancreas is functioning.

Most hospital stays may be 7-10 days, but may be longer if there are complications.

Most pancreas transplant recipients can return to work or normal activites in about 6-8 weeks.

Pancreas transplant outcomes within the first 30 days are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page.

Six month and 1 year outcomes are available for regional and national groups and for specific patient characteristics in an interactive report.

Pancreas transplant outcomes within the first 90 days and 1 year are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page.

Pancreas transplants can last several decades, but outcomes for a specific person will depend on many factors.

A healthy lifestyle after a pancreas transplant will look similar to a healthy lifestyle while waiting for a transplant. However, the anti-rejection medications will impact your immune system and increase the chances of some health issues, like cancer. Make sure you go to all doctor appointments, take all medications as prescribed - especially anti-rejection medications - and follow diet,  exercise, and cancer screening guidelines from your care team, and stay involved in healthy activities, including spending time with family and friends.

Pancreas transplant outcomes at 3 years are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page. Long-term outcomes up to 10 years are only available regionally and nationally for specific patient characteristics, including age, race, height, and many others in an interactive report.

Yes. It is important to find a new transplant center for health check-ups before you move. Talk to your transplant care team about finding new center that will manage your post-surgery care. You also can start looking for a transplant center on the center search page.

Transplanted organs may not last a lifetime. How long a transplanted organ will last may depend on how well patients match with the donor, your age, and following care recommendations from your doctors.

If your transplanted pancreas stops working, you can consider an evaluation for a new transplant or manage your diabetes with oral medications or insulin.

Regional and national long-term retransplant outcomes are available up to 10 years in an interactive report.

All intestine transplant patients can expect a stay of a few days in the ICU immediately after surgery.  You will likely have a breathing tube when returning from the operating room.  You will have drains in your abdomen to look for any signs of bleeding or intestinal or bile leakage. The incision will be sore while you are healing. Once discharged from the hospital, you will have frequent visits with your care team for a few weeks to monitor your recovery and look for signs of complications. You will have blood tests during this time and may have changes to medications. Anti-rejection medications will be required for the rest of your life.

Most hospital stays may be 3-6 weeks, but may be longer if there are complications.

Intestine transplant recipients may have activity restrictions for 4-6 months while recovering. Most intestine transplant recipients can return to work or normal activities; however, the amount of time is variable.

Intestine transplant outcomes within the first 30 days are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page.

Six month and 1 year outcomes are available for regional and national groups and for specific patient characteristics in an interactive report.

Intestine transplant outcomes within the first 90 days and 1 year are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page.

Intestine transplants can last several decades, but outcomes for a specific person will depend on many factors.

After an intestine transplant you will be able to eat a regular diet. However, the anti-rejection medications will impact your immune system and increase the chances of some health issues, like cancer. Make sure you go to all doctor appointments, take all medications as prescribed - especially anti-rejection medications - and follow diet,  exercise, and cancer screening guidelines from your care team, and stay involved in healthy activities, including spending time with family and friends.

Intestine transplant outcomes at 3 years are provided for each transplant center on the center "Full Report" from the center search page. Long-term outcomes up to 10 years are only available regionally and nationally for specific patient characteristics, including age, race, height, and many others in an interactive report.

Yes. It is important to find a new transplant center for health check-ups before you move. Talk to your transplant care team about finding new center that will manage your post-surgery care. You also can start looking for a transplant center on the center search page.

Transplanted organs may not last a lifetime. How long a transplanted organ will last may depend on how well patients match with the donor, your age, and following care recommendations from your doctors.

If your transplanted intestine stops working after a multivisceral or liver and intestine procedure, you can consider an evaluation for a new transplant. If an isolated intestine stops working, the organ can be removed and you can return to intravenous feeding or managing with medications for as long as possible which can include palliative care.

Regional and national long-term retransplant outcomes are available up to 10 years in an interactive report.