I hope to donate a kidney sometime around the end of April. I would love to hear from someone who has been through this and can give me some idea what to expect regarding the recovery time. I am an 52 year old age grouper triathlete. I did 5 tris last year (all sprints) and am planning on a sprint in mid June and my first international distance in mid July. I work out about 6 days a week and am in pretty good shape. I will discuss this with a doctor but frankly, would rather hear from another athlete.
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Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
WTC is asking for kidneys to get to Kona now?!?!
Seriously though,I have no advice but just wanted to wish you and your donor recipient all the best of luck..
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Seriously though,I have no advice but just wanted to wish you and your donor recipient all the best of luck..
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Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
i agree, you have won more respect than finishing any race by donating a kidney. best of luck to both of you. btw, kidney donation is fairly major as far as healing goes. listen to your body.
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
I'm in a similar position. I'd like to hear from an athlete who has donated too. I've been told its a long road to recovery though, I'd like racing withing 2 months would be out of the picture.
ericM35-39 wrote:
I love how everybody on ST complains about being slow and then when presented with the secret to not being slow they complain about that too
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
My mother in law received a kidney and
pancreas around 20 yrs ago.
She was the first bilateral transplant at Penn.
I highly doubt you'll be racing in the same calender year.
Good luck, you are a better person than I.
I would only do that for my wife or son.
I'd Rather Play Hockey And Lose, Than Figure Skate And Win A Gold Medal
pancreas around 20 yrs ago.
She was the first bilateral transplant at Penn.
I highly doubt you'll be racing in the same calender year.
Good luck, you are a better person than I.
I would only do that for my wife or son.
I'd Rather Play Hockey And Lose, Than Figure Skate And Win A Gold Medal
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
I donated a kidney in Jan 2009. I was in good shape beforehand, mid-40's. I did my first tri 5 1/2 months later. I think I did 7 tri's that summer without problems. I was running about three weeks after surgery. I started swimming at one month, but I do remember feeling as though it was pulling on my incision area. If you're in decent shape and allow yourself some time to heal with gradual return to training you should do fine. Today I have no residuals whatsoever. I did several ultra runs last year and continue to do regular tri's and Xterras. I assume you'll have a lap procedure, perhaps "hand-assisted," which is what I had. My incision is vertical straight down under the bellybutton. It's really not noticeable when I wear shorts. Let me know if you have any other q's; I'll be happy to answer them. Feel free to pm.
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
No advice.
I'm a kidney dialysis nurse so I can tell you from experience what a great gift.
Train safe & smart
Bob
I'm a kidney dialysis nurse so I can tell you from experience what a great gift.
Train safe & smart
Bob
Last edited by:
Longboarder: Mar 23, 12 7:51
Re: kidney donor recovery [Matthew]
[ In reply to ]
just wondering. With only one kidney do you need to worry more about electrolyte imbalances or dehydration during endurance events? Or using things like Advil which may cause acute renal failure.
Re: kidney donor recovery [npage148]
[ In reply to ]
The transplant doctors told me to never take NSAID's (ibu, aleve, etc) again because they can hurt the kidneys. My family doc thinks that's too extreme. He says that an occasional Aleve wouldn't be a problem. I went for two years with no NSAID's, but in the past year I've taken some Aleve because of over-use injuries. I don't like the thought of taking stuff that will hurt my remaining kidney though, so I don't use it very often at all. I also try to really keep an eye on hydration, which is something we all should do.
Also, back to the OP, I could have "done" a tri two months after surgery, but I would have by no means been able to "race" it. Also, prior to surgery I had done a lot of tri's, including 10 IM's.
Also, back to the OP, I could have "done" a tri two months after surgery, but I would have by no means been able to "race" it. Also, prior to surgery I had done a lot of tri's, including 10 IM's.
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
I would not race at all for a good 3 months afterward. That is a major surgery, and you cannot see what is going on inside your body. Take a mandatory 2 months off at least, then move forward. No need to kill yourself or put yourself on the list of patients who need kidneys for a race a little over 60 minutes (or under) long.
Re: kidney donor recovery [littlefoot]
[ In reply to ]
donating a kidney is actually comparable to an appendectomy. It involves a single incision, dissection of the back wall of the abdomen, and removal of the kidney. You can go home the morning after if everything goes well. You won't need even close to two entire months off.
Re: kidney donor recovery [spadddd]
[ In reply to ]
spadddd wrote:
donating a kidney is actually comparable to an appendectomy. It involves a single incision, dissection of the back wall of the abdomen, and removal of the kidney. You can go home the morning after if everything goes well. You won't need even close to two entire months off.I'm not saying it's mega-surgery, at all, but it's also no appendectomy. Mine lasted about four hours. I had extra vessels that they had to deal with though.
I agree that he (hopefully) won't need close to two months off from training after the surgery. I definitely wouldn't recommend hard racing during that two months though. I think the OP is wise to get info from athletes who have actually had the surgery.
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
Quote:
I hope to donate a kidneyThis is no way to get to race weight!
Best of luck on the surgery.
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
I am a kidney recipient 8 years out. Enabled me to finish Ironman Wisconsin in 2009, thanks to my sis. Her recovery was a little rough for the first week. Pretty uncomfortable and bloated etc.. after a couple of weeks she was good to go. I doubt she was in as good a shape as you are in. Alot of side bennies. You live longer and you get the best physical you can have. You will need to have a pretty clean bill of health to give it up.
Thanks for giving the gift of life.
Thanks for giving the gift of life.
Re: kidney donor recovery [ramafakal]
[ In reply to ]
Hmmmmm. How much do adenoids, tonsils, kidney, appendix, gal bladder, and spleen weigh together? Think I can save a kilo?
Re: kidney donor recovery [BBB1975]
[ In reply to ]
Thanks everyone for your comments. I think my basic question/assumption is something like this: I assume that there is some period of time, maybe a few weeks, that I would have to be careful so as to not actually hurt something. I assume the body needs time to mend. The muscles need to grow back together. Too much strain during this period might cause a hernia, pull out stitches, something like that.
After that though, I would like to think that while it may be uncomfortable, I won't actually hurt anything.
If this is the case, I should be able to just listen to my body and not push beyond my limits. Does this make sense?
After that though, I would like to think that while it may be uncomfortable, I won't actually hurt anything.
If this is the case, I should be able to just listen to my body and not push beyond my limits. Does this make sense?
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
i have a friend who donated her kidney - still a pretty hard core athlete
she did a bike across canada a few years ago to raise money for transplant issues
she even competed in the transplant olympics
i think tri is a new event for this year?
best wishes to a fast recovery to you and the recipient
she did a bike across canada a few years ago to raise money for transplant issues
she even competed in the transplant olympics
i think tri is a new event for this year?
best wishes to a fast recovery to you and the recipient
Re: kidney donor recovery [Donjek]
[ In reply to ]
Best of luck. You are awesome for doing that.
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
I have not been through it buy my uncle did give my dad a kidney. He is not into tri buy is a marathon runner. He was down from the sugary longer than my father was. He did end up with an infection post sugary so his recovery was postponed by that but he was able to do some shorter runs two months after. He was up an running normal again after month three. This may be a bit of an extended schedule but its what it was for him. I will try and give him a call tomorrow to get you some more specific information.
Re: kidney donor recovery [Matthew]
[ In reply to ]
Matthew,
I thought I would let you know that I am scheduled to donate next Tuesday at Mayo.
I am doing the first tri of the year this Saturday. It's an in-between sprint/olympic distance in Morris, MN. I am grateful to have that one to do as I will have a little down time after. It is nice to have something to focus on.
I was told that I need to take it very easy for at least two weeks and that after that I can probably go by how I feel. I am planning on a sprint in mid June and an Olympic in mid July. We'll see.
Thanks for your earlier reply.
I thought I would let you know that I am scheduled to donate next Tuesday at Mayo.
I am doing the first tri of the year this Saturday. It's an in-between sprint/olympic distance in Morris, MN. I am grateful to have that one to do as I will have a little down time after. It is nice to have something to focus on.
I was told that I need to take it very easy for at least two weeks and that after that I can probably go by how I feel. I am planning on a sprint in mid June and an Olympic in mid July. We'll see.
Thanks for your earlier reply.
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
Good luck with the donation. You won't need it though. I'll tell you how I added at least a day to my hospital stay. Once they told me I could start eating and drinking I drank way too much way too soon. It was not good and that's an understatement. When they tell you that you can eat and drink take it nice and slow. Test your gut before slamming down 50 oz of fluid. Give us all an update once you're back home.
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
weight reduction, you will be faster!
good luck man!
Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter
good luck man!
Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
Hi Alex,
I was searching for keywords athlete donor and found this.
I donated my kidney exactly two months before to my brother, and I'm an athlete too. I usually run 4km under 15 minutes (and some short excercises for another 15minutes) and then go and play badminton for 90 minutes every day. I've not been back to any of these as of yet.
Instead of taking advice on my specific, can you please elaborate your actual experience; so that I can take insights. Especially, when exactly you started training after donation and were you able to make it to June event after your April donation.
Cheers!
I was searching for keywords athlete donor and found this.
I donated my kidney exactly two months before to my brother, and I'm an athlete too. I usually run 4km under 15 minutes (and some short excercises for another 15minutes) and then go and play badminton for 90 minutes every day. I've not been back to any of these as of yet.
Instead of taking advice on my specific, can you please elaborate your actual experience; so that I can take insights. Especially, when exactly you started training after donation and were you able to make it to June event after your April donation.
Cheers!
Re: kidney donor recovery [salman004]
[ In reply to ]
It has been a little over two years now and I have no ill effects whatsoever. It seems like we were all born with a spare kidney.
I had the transplant surgery on May 1st, 2012. I wasn't able to do the tri in June because I had a little complication with a suture. I was recovering nicely for about three weeks and had even started riding my bike again when I started having some pain just below my belly button. It got worse and worse and I ended up back at the transplant clinic. The clinic didn't help but eventually, about three weeks later, I saw a local family doctor who recognized the problem right away and operated right then in his office and removed the suture. Three stitches later I was on my way to full recovery. I started training very soon after that. Biking first, then swimming and lastly running. By the end of August I was able to do my next tri.
I have done about 10 tris since then and a number of running races. I don't think having one kidney has made any difference at all in athletics or any other part of my life. I try to avoid ibuprofen and am maybe a little more careful to stay hydrated but that is probably good advice for any of us.
Even with my minor setback, I would do it again in a minute.
I hope your brother is doing well and your recovery goes smoothly. I wish you the best of luck.
I had the transplant surgery on May 1st, 2012. I wasn't able to do the tri in June because I had a little complication with a suture. I was recovering nicely for about three weeks and had even started riding my bike again when I started having some pain just below my belly button. It got worse and worse and I ended up back at the transplant clinic. The clinic didn't help but eventually, about three weeks later, I saw a local family doctor who recognized the problem right away and operated right then in his office and removed the suture. Three stitches later I was on my way to full recovery. I started training very soon after that. Biking first, then swimming and lastly running. By the end of August I was able to do my next tri.
I have done about 10 tris since then and a number of running races. I don't think having one kidney has made any difference at all in athletics or any other part of my life. I try to avoid ibuprofen and am maybe a little more careful to stay hydrated but that is probably good advice for any of us.
Even with my minor setback, I would do it again in a minute.
I hope your brother is doing well and your recovery goes smoothly. I wish you the best of luck.
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
All I want to know is if you will have steak with the old ones in the pie?
http://RoadID.com/...te/4HC4V-TAFQ9XPJDTX
http://RoadID.com/...te/4HC4V-TAFQ9XPJDTX
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
Thanks for posting this info. I am currently waiting for a transplant but a donor has been identified and it looks like it may be as early as December. It is great to hear that the donor can carry on without much concern. I am recieving a kidney from a friend/co-worker/employer and part of my anxiety is how the procedure will affect his lifestyle as he is also very active. I am hopeful that I can return to racing by late summer and make a return to Maui for the Xterra Worlds...we are even planning on doiing a Challenge Half as a team to raise awareness for Organ donation. I can truly appreciate your gift. Cheers
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
alextim wrote:
It has been a little over two years now and I have no ill effects whatsoever. It seems like we were all born with a spare kidney. I had the transplant surgery on May 1st, 2012. I wasn't able to do the tri in June because I had a little complication with a suture. I was recovering nicely for about three weeks and had even started riding my bike again when I started having some pain just below my belly button. It got worse and worse and I ended up back at the transplant clinic. The clinic didn't help but eventually, about three weeks later, I saw a local family doctor who recognized the problem right away and operated right then in his office and removed the suture. Three stitches later I was on my way to full recovery. I started training very soon after that. Biking first, then swimming and lastly running. By the end of August I was able to do my next tri.
I have done about 10 tris since then and a number of running races. I don't think having one kidney has made any difference at all in athletics or any other part of my life. I try to avoid ibuprofen and am maybe a little more careful to stay hydrated but that is probably good advice for any of us.
Even with my minor setback, I would do it again in a minute.
I hope your brother is doing well and your recovery goes smoothly. I wish you the best of luck.
Thanks Alex for the reply.
Firstly, my brother is doing amazingly well and is on the best possible recovery path. I had some complications post surgery (7Aug)- mainly pleural effusion - which prolonged my stay in hospital to 11 days instead of the normal 3/4 days. It also prolonged the initial recovery which took a month (or even more); but fortunately I'm all good now (except for a small leftover - sore left testicle - I hope this too will wade off in due course)
The doctors here (Kerala, India) are a bit conservative though; and had advised me not to start activities before 3 months (and I'm counting days to Nov7). Although I feel that I'm okay to start practicing, I had to abide by the advice since there are familial pressures too that not to go anything counter to doctors' advices.
Now, I've certain targets to meet; for instance 4k under 15 minutes (I hope the easiest among the targets) and beating my regular partners at badminton on 4 off 5 ratio (which I used to do initially). Once I achieve those, I would believe I had recovered in full, and hope so it would occur at the earliest.
Cheers!
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
my husband donated a kidney to his sister several years ago. we scheduled it a week after boston. he was back home within a couple of days and back on the trainer spinning easy within the week and jogging lightly about 10 days after surgery. his surgeon had him call in every few days to give him updates as he said they had not had many ironman/marathon athletes donating kidneys. my husband was 45 at the time. anyway, he did some short races at an easy pace in the summer and fall, then the next calendar year was completely normal- spring marathon, summer ironman. the only things he has to watch are- no nsaids, and stay fully hydrated. he has not had any adverse reactions! best of luck. it's a wonderful thing to be a part of:)
Re: kidney donor recovery [npage148]
[ In reply to ]
I donated at the end of July 14 and in the preparation asked the consultant about effects & safety for ultras/long distance tri. They scouted around and found some colleagues who were into endurance sports and their conclusions were:
- adaptation of the remaining kidney takes a long time (up to a year) so nothing more than a half marathon type event for first 9 months or so
- muscle breakdown is an issue so beware of dehydration and that endurance events are making an already heavily loaded remaining kidney work overtime. Probably ok but at your own risk.
- protein digestion create a lot of work for the kidneys so not to take protein supplements, high protein diet
It is 15 weeks since I donated and to be honest I'm still shattered. I've tried a couple of swims/runs but after 20 minutes I'm wrung out and good for nothing for a couple of days afterward.
- adaptation of the remaining kidney takes a long time (up to a year) so nothing more than a half marathon type event for first 9 months or so
- muscle breakdown is an issue so beware of dehydration and that endurance events are making an already heavily loaded remaining kidney work overtime. Probably ok but at your own risk.
- protein digestion create a lot of work for the kidneys so not to take protein supplements, high protein diet
It is 15 weeks since I donated and to be honest I'm still shattered. I've tried a couple of swims/runs but after 20 minutes I'm wrung out and good for nothing for a couple of days afterward.
Re: kidney donor recovery [salman004]
[ In reply to ]
Re: left testicle pain. Same here.
I understand this is because the gonadal vein connects with the renal vein and they tie this off when they take the vein. What I haven't been able to get good advice on is the impact on the adrenal gland - on the left the vein off this is also tied off with the expectation that superficial veins will grow and take over draining the gland.
As your kidneys regulate EPO and adrenal gland makes cortisol I'm intrigued as to effect of donation on the hormonal system but can't find any good info and my Doctors are better at platitudes that data.
I understand this is because the gonadal vein connects with the renal vein and they tie this off when they take the vein. What I haven't been able to get good advice on is the impact on the adrenal gland - on the left the vein off this is also tied off with the expectation that superficial veins will grow and take over draining the gland.
As your kidneys regulate EPO and adrenal gland makes cortisol I'm intrigued as to effect of donation on the hormonal system but can't find any good info and my Doctors are better at platitudes that data.
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
My brother had a kidney removed at age 40 due to stage 2 RCC.
He was up and training again after 3-4 weeks but was not 100% for about 6 months.
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My Blog
He was up and training again after 3-4 weeks but was not 100% for about 6 months.
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My Blog
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
Next Monday it will be 5-years since my kidney donation. I am happy to report that there is nothing to report. Apparently we are all born with a spare.
I have participated in several triathlons every year since then and a number of running races with no issues at all. I competed in my first tri of the season yesterday.
Donating a kidney needs to be a personal choice. Everyone needs to make their own decision about what is right for them. I am not a doctor and can only speak for myself, but for what it is worth, don't be afraid. The gain is more than the risk.
I think triathletes make ideal donors. As a group, we are strong and driven and know that pain is a temporary thing. The very best things come from having the courage to dive in.
I have participated in several triathlons every year since then and a number of running races with no issues at all. I competed in my first tri of the season yesterday.
Donating a kidney needs to be a personal choice. Everyone needs to make their own decision about what is right for them. I am not a doctor and can only speak for myself, but for what it is worth, don't be afraid. The gain is more than the risk.
I think triathletes make ideal donors. As a group, we are strong and driven and know that pain is a temporary thing. The very best things come from having the courage to dive in.
Re: kidney donor recovery [alextim]
[ In reply to ]
Reviving this thread because I’m about 5 days post-op (donated to my father), and wondering if there are any more out there with experience returning to tri after donation. I’m walking pretty well and can go for awhile already, but I haven’t pushed anything, obviously.
Nurses told me jogging and cycling within two weeks and swimming and weights within four, but that seems awfully quick to me (surgery done at Mayo). Any thoughts?
The only way to avoid disappointment is to not try anything at all.
Nurses told me jogging and cycling within two weeks and swimming and weights within four, but that seems awfully quick to me (surgery done at Mayo). Any thoughts?
The only way to avoid disappointment is to not try anything at all.
Hi! Congrats on your decision to donate a kidney:) My husband donated a kidney to his sister in April of 1999....one week after we ran Boston ......he has since completed 10 Ironmans and many marathons...he ran Chicago 1999 seven months after the donation . He has not had one problem in those 18 years. He was 46 at the time. Just be patient with your return to full training and honor the time it takes your body to heal. Good luck!