Nutrition after kidney removal, or nephrectomy, is important to your recovery. Nephrectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of your kidney due to disease or injury. If your remaining kidney is functioning properly, your doctor may not place restrictions on your postsurgery diet. Your doctor may recommend a diet designed to ease the initial burden on your remaining kidney and reduce postsurgery side effects, such as constipation.
What to Expect
Recovery from kidney removal generally takes three to six weeks. You are advised not to lift anything heavier than 10 lbs. and to take it easy during the recovery period. You may experience some pain on the side where your kidney was removed. Avoid strenuous activity. Your doctor will make an assessment and advise a diet accordingly. Generally you will go home on a liquid diet and then progress to soft foods before returning to your normal eating habits.
Days 1 to 3
Your doctor may release you on a liquid diet to follow for the first three days at home. Drink clear liquids, such as beef or chicken broth. Drink fruit juices, such as cranberry, pomegranate and apple. Drink herbal tea and have ice pops. Eat gelatin. Drink water between meals to remain hydrated. Consume a protein drink to meet your daily protein needs. Your doctor will outline a protein range to aim for each day.
First Two Weeks
After three days on a clear liquid diet, progress to expanded liquids and soft foods if you can tolerate them. Drink milk and have a variety of soups. Eat applesauce, low-fat ice cream, pudding and custard. Eat soft fruits, such as bananas. Have cottage cheese and tofu. Eat mashed potatoes. You can also use your blender to puree fruits and vegetables.
Weeks 4 to 6
Your body is still healing, but you can generally progress to expanded soft foods and some solid foods at this phase. Eat soft fish, carefully deboned. Have tuna, canned in water. Continue to have a variety of soups. Eat soft cooked meat, such as chicken breast. Have eggs and cooked cereal, such as oatmeal, cream of wheat and cream of rice. Choose nutrient-rich vegetables, such as leafy greens.
Special Recommendations
Other factors that influence your postsurgery diet include your levels of sodium and potassium. Your doctor may recommend limiting one or both during the recovery period. If this is the case, he will outline a postsurgery diet low in sodium and or potassium to reduce your levels of these nutrients and to ease the burden on your remaining kidney. Follow your doctor's recommendations to ensure your recovery from kidney removal surgery.
