What You Should Know About:
Pet Care Cautions
Do not clean birdcages or change litter boxes. Airborne bacteria around animal waste are more likely to make you sick because of the medications you take to prevent rejection. You could breathe in the bacteria or get it on your hands or clothing and eventually develop an infection.
How to care for yourself
When you return home, you should protect the area of your surgery and allow it to heal, both on the inside and outside of your body. It is important for you to return to a normal, active lifestyle, with a few restrictions:
- Do not lift more than 5 pounds for the first six weeks after your surgery.
- Do not lift more than 20 pounds for the first three months after your surgery.
- For three months, avoid activities like mopping or vacuuming that pull your stomach muscles around your surgical area.
- We recommend you take showers rather than baths.
- For six months do not jog or run on hard surfaces such as cement or asphalt.
- For six months do not get into a hot tub.
- Avoid activities such as horseback riding and motorcycle riding for one year.
- Avoid driving for four weeks after transplant. Do not drive at any time if you are taking any pain medication.