Recovery at Home
Before you’re discharged from the hospital, your care team will give you written instructions about caring for yourself at home. Those instructions are specific to your surgery and any other health conditions you may have, so follow them carefully, Singer says. If possible, arrange for someone to help take care of you for a few days after the nephrectomy.
Incision Care
Some bruising, swelling, and soreness around your incision is normal and should gradually improve.
Keep your incision clean and dry, and follow your surgeon’s instructions about when it’s safe to shower, Hugen says. Always wash your hands well before caring for your incision.
Check your incision every day for signs of infection, such as increasing redness, swelling, drainage, and worsening pain.
If you notice any of these changes, contact your healthcare team right away.
Activity Restrictions
Walking is one of the best things you can do during recovery. Regular walks help improve circulation, lower the risk of blood clots, and support healing.
“Most patients can walk around the house, climb stairs, and eat and drink normally once they get home,” Singer says. Still, try to increase your activity a little at a time, rather than trying to do too much too soon, Hugen says.
Avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds, such as a gallon of paint or a large bag of pet food, for about four weeks, unless your healthcare team tells you otherwise.
Also, avoid strenuous exercise, heavy housework, and activities that strain your abdominal muscles for about six weeks or until your healthcare team says it’s safe.
How soon you can drive, return to work, and resume your usual activities depends on the type of surgery you had and how you’re healing, so check with your care team if you’re unsure, Singer says.
Recovery Tips
It’s normal to feel tired for several weeks after a nephrectomy, and you should gradually start feeling better.
Take your medications as directed, drink plenty of fluids, and give your body time to heal, Hugen says.
Sleep is an important part of recovery, even if it’s harder to come by during the first few days or weeks after surgery.
As pain lessens and you become more active during the day, your sleep should gradually improve, too.
Constipation can occur because anesthesia, pain medications, and being less active can slow your bowels.
Walking and drinking enough fluids can help get things moving again, and your care team can recommend a stool softener or mild laxative if needed.
Keep all follow-up appointments, and don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare team if you have questions or concerns during your recovery. They can also connect you with resources or support groups if you need them, Singer says.
When to Call the Doctor
While some discomfort is expected after surgery, some symptoms need prompt attention. Contact your healthcare team right away or go to the emergency room if you notice:
- A fever higher than 101 degrees F
- Pain that worsens or isn’t relieved by your prescribed medication
- Increasing redness, swelling, drainage, or severe pain around your incision
- Persistent nausea or vomiting that makes it difficult to eat or drink
- Changes in how you urinate
- Bright red blood in your urine
- New swelling, redness, or pain in one leg
- New or worsening weakness, extreme fatigue, or unusual drowsiness
These symptoms could be signs of a complication, like an infection or kidney failure. Prompt medical attention can help keep potential complications from becoming more serious or life-threatening
If you have chest pain or trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away.
In general, if something doesn’t feel right, notify your care team as soon as possible. “We’d much rather hear from you early than have a small problem become a bigger one,” Hugen says.
