Department of Surgery

Division of Solid Organ Transplantation

Procedures

Pancreas Transplant Surgery

The Transplant Process - Long-term Management and Life After the Transplant

Guide to Pancreas Transplant

• What Does the Pancreas Do?

• Pancreas Diseases

• What is a Pancreas Transplant?

• Is a Transplant Right For You?

• The Transplant Process

• Lodging & Accommodations
• Resources
• General Information for Patients and Families

After you leave the hospital, you’ll return on a regular schedule for follow-up visits. A medical team will follow your progress throughout your life. You’ll have regular blood tests to check that your new pancreas is not being damaged by rejection, infections, or other problems. Over time, the frequency of follow-up visits and lab tests and the doses of medicine are reduced.

You’ll need to eat a healthy diet and exercise and use medicines, including ones you can buy without a prescription, only if your doctor says they’re safe for you. If you've been on hemodialysis, you'll find that your post-transplant diet is much less restrictive. You can drink more fluids and eat many of the fruits and vegetables you were previously told to avoid. You may even need to gain a little weight, but be careful not to gain too much weight too quickly and avoid salty foods that can lead to high blood pressure. It’s important to work with our dietitian to make sure you're following a healthy eating plan and to follow your doctor’s advice to take care of your new pancreas.

Returning to Normal Activities

After a successful transplant, most people can go back to their normal daily activities. Getting your strength back will take some time, though, depending on how sick you were before the transplant. You’ll need to check with your transplant team on how long your recovery period should be. Social workers and support groups will help you adjust.

Eventually, though, you’ll be able to return to work, engage in normal exercise, and return to a normal sex life. However, it’s best to consult with your doctors if you’re thinking about getting pregnant.