Dear MrDavid,
I second the congratulations! I hope you and your mom have many happy years together. I donated to my father in 2011, with an excellent outcome.
I was walking immediately, and slow jogging by two weeks. I followed all the lifting restrictions, (although I did interpret 10lbs as 10lbs in each hand)! I began my core training cautiously. Eventually I forgot about the incision, and went back to full on workouts. I train as a powerlifter, and have not noticed any long term changes in my training from the nephrectomy.
The swelling took a while to resolve, but now I can barely find the scars.
I have never been a proponent of very high protein diets. Nevertheless, I have some powerlifting trophies and a couple marathon finishes. I do not think eating excess protein makes you more muscular.
I'm not expecting kidney failure, why would you? I think that everyone, donors and non-donors alike, should try to eat a balanced diet, control their weight, get enough sleep, and exercise. Its also a good idea to drink plenty of fluids. If you do those things, I daresay you will remain healthier than most.
Love, elephant
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