A transplant is not the end of treatment; it is the start of a new routine. How well the new organ works over the years depends largely on medication taken correctly and on regular follow-up. This guide by New City Clinic describes in general terms what daily life looks like after a kidney or liver transplant and how follow-up continues once you return home. Your transplant team gives you the instructions that apply to you.
Medication: every day, at the same time
Immunosuppressive medicines stop the body from rejecting the new organ and are taken for life. They are taken at the same times every day, and the dose is adjusted according to blood levels, which is why blood tests are frequent in the first months. Never stop or change a dose on your own, and ask your transplant team before taking any new medicine, herbal product or supplement, because many of them interact with these drugs.
Protecting yourself from infection
Because the immune system is deliberately dampened, infections are more likely, especially in the first months. Hand hygiene, careful food preparation, avoiding raw or undercooked foods and keeping away from people who are ill all matter. Vaccinations are reviewed by your team; live vaccines are generally avoided after a transplant. Grapefruit and some other foods can change drug levels, so follow the dietary list you are given.
Signs you should report
Rejection often causes no symptoms at first and is picked up by blood tests, which is why appointments must not be missed. Contact your physician without delay if you have a fever, pain or swelling over the transplanted organ, a clear fall in the amount of urine, rapid weight gain or swelling of the legs, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or dark urine. Early treatment makes a real difference in these situations.
Follow-up in your own country
The transplant journey in Istanbul takes about 70 days, including the tests, the operation and the check-ups while medication doses are being adjusted. Before you travel home you receive your transplant reports and medication plan in English. Follow-up then continues with a nephrologist or hepatologist in your own country, and it is wise to arrange this physician before you travel. The transplant team remains available for questions from you and from your doctor.
A kidney or liver transplant with New City Clinic
New City Clinic is an authorised health tourism intermediary registered with the Turkish Ministry of Health and HealthTürkiye. When you contact New City Clinic about a kidney or liver transplant, a physician first reviews your photos and medical information, and you then receive a written treatment plan with an itemised quote. Once you arrive in Istanbul, the New City Clinic team organises your airport welcome, accommodation, hospital appointments and interpreting. Your procedure is performed by a specialist physician at a Ministry of Health approved partner hospital, and follow-up continues after you return home.
Aftercare
Medication and check-ups
Take the medication your physician prescribes as directed and attend your planned check-ups.
Smoking and alcohol
Both slow healing; avoid them before and after the procedure for the period your physician advises.
Movement and rest
Short walks support circulation; wait for your physician’s approval before strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
When to get in touch
Contact your New City Clinic coordinator straight away in case of high fever, increasing pain, redness or anything unexpected.
Frequently asked questions
When can I return to work?
This varies with the type of transplant, your recovery and your job. Many people return gradually within a few months; your transplant team advises you individually.
Will I have to take medication for the rest of my life?
Yes. Immunosuppressive treatment continues for as long as the transplanted organ is working; doses usually become lower over time.
Does New City Clinic find donors?
No. New City Clinic does not provide donors and does not mediate any such arrangement. In Turkey, international patients must come with their own living donor who meets the legal conditions.
Deciding on a kidney or liver transplant is a confident step when it is taken with the right information and the right team. You can book a free consultation with the New City Clinic team for your questions.
This article is for general information; consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
