Water retention and kidney donation

[bergstromtori]

I just read an article where the living donor mentioned that she had 30 lbs of water retention following surgery.  Is that normal?  Just 2 1/2 weeks til I donate.
Thanks,
Tori (Utah)

[Michael]

That's not normal. Could you provide a link to the article?

[bergstromtori]

http://amarillo.com/stories/032507/new_7131392.shtml

Here is the link to the article.  It is close to the end where it mentions water retention.

[dodger]

Not sure how much you have read, but you should be drinking at least 2 quarts of just water a day, 3 is better.  You want to be very well hydrated going into surgery and now is the time to start.  You will also need to drink this much everyday after surgery to flush out your remaining kidney and keep it healthy.

Celery, cucumber, and fresh squeezed lemons are wonderful diuretics.  You can slice all of this into a 2 quart pitcher of water and refrig over night.  Drink through out the next day along with plain water to equal the 2 quart amount total.  You might be running to the bathroom often, but it will really help flush the fluids from the surgery, especially with the TT you are also receiving.  Or, squeeze 1/2 lemon into a cup of hot or cold water, sweeten with honey or sugar(stevia) and drink. Have at least a couple of these a day to flush the body instead, what ever works for you.  You should also be upping your protein, at least 25 grams per meal, getting ready for surgery, and lots and lots of leafy green vegetables. I wish I had known these things prior to my donation so I could have bounced back faster.  Hind sight puts it all into perspective.

[Orchidlady]

I had excessive water weight immediately following surgery. The reason is they are pumping you full of fluids duing the surgery and after surgery. I couldn't believe it when they weighed me the first moring after  - I don't remember 30 pounds but I think it was around 10 or 12. They said that is one of the reasons they are so concerned about heart function for both donor and recipient - because the excess fluid is beneficial for the kidney, but it is hard on the heart. It did go away fairly quickly - by the end of a week the water retention was gone.

[famoran]

I weighed 14 pounds more the day I left the hospital than I did when I went in.  That 14 pounds, plus an additional 2 were gone after 4 short days.

[Aries7]

This is interesting. I do not remember what I weighed while in the hospital (I was in for 4 days) but when I came home, I actually weighed a few pounds less than I did when I went in for the surgery.