After the surgery, the patient will wake up in the intensive care unit (ICU) after the anesthesia wears off.

This is what the patient should expect:

• Some pain and discomfort, which medication will help to relieve.

• The patient will be asked to cough periodically to keep his lungs clear. If it hurts to cough, the patient should ask someone to support his abdomen.

• The patient will have an IV line in his arm or neck under the collarbone, which will be used to give fluids and medication for the first few days after surgery.

• For several days after surgery, the patient will have a catheter in his bladder to drain urine. He may feel uncomfortable, and may feel that he has to urinate constantly, but it is only temporary.

• During surgery, one drain may be placed in or near the incision. The drain will be removed 5 to 10 days after surgery.

• Dialysis may still be needed to help clear excess fluid and toxins in the body until the kidney recovers from the procurement process.

The length of a hospital stay will depend on a patient's progress. A patient is encouraged to talk to someone on his transplant team if he is uneasy or uncomfortable.