The following are a few tips to consider as you move forward in your life as a healthy organ transplant recipient:
1. Eat a balanced diet. A healthy diet will help you heal after surgery, and keep you at a healthy weight for
the rest of your life. Your diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables, little salt, lots of fibre, as little
fat and oil as possible, protein from meats and dairy products, and little to no alcohol, as recommended by
your doctor. Maintaining your weight with smart food choices and portions will help you reduce your risk of
developing heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
2. Build exercise into your lifestyle. Following surgery, your need to recover your strength and fitness. Surgery
will limit your ability to be active. When you begin to feel better, introducing regular exercise into your life will
help you regain your strength. You will need to increase your activity slowly at first, and with breaks during the
activities, but this should improve over time. Your doctor will be able to recommend the best exercise plan for
your condition.
3. Be mindful of your mood. Because of the changes in your life following a transplant, you may find yourself
feeling more nervous or stressed than normal, or even depressed. There is no quick fix for these feelings, but
there are healthcare professionals who can help.
4. Listen to your body. Your surgery means you have new health challenges to face, and a very good reason
to manage them carefully–your new organ. If you notice any of the signs and symptoms of rejection (see
What are the signs and symptoms of rejection?), you should take them seriously. Also, if you suspect an
infection of any kind, including a cold, you should heed your doctor’s recommendations to deal with it quickly
and decisively. You can no longer afford to simply let things take their own course