https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualUK/comments/1if22m7/anyone_had_a_kidney_removed/
created by Donot_forget on 01/02/2025 at 08:34 UTC*
102 upvotes, 58 top-level comments (showing 25)
I'm having my kidney removed due to cancer and I'm feeling quite apprehensive about the upcoming major surgery. I'm having open surgery, so being properly opened up, and will be in hospital for a week after.
I'm in my 30s and relatively fit, and just wondering how other people have recovered? Am I gonna be in bed for the next month sort of thing?
Names for my mutant kidney and new nicknames for me for having 1 less kidney are welcome!
No horror stories please, my mental health can't take it. Cheers!
Comment by frigloo at 01/02/2025 at 08:40 UTC
123 upvotes, 4 direct replies
My mate had one taken out for similar sounding reasons. He's fine now. He recovered quickly and physically sound. The NHS are really good at some stuff.
Comment by No-Plate257 at 01/02/2025 at 08:51 UTC*
99 upvotes, 5 direct replies
Not quite the same but I donated a kidney a couple of years ago. It wasn’t full on open surgery though and I was kicked out of the hospital three days later. I was very apprehensive but it was fine.
The people (including fellow patients) were great and I managed to sleep surprisingly well despite the regular night time checks (tip - silicon ear plugs). I was worried about pain but the drugs were great. I was also worried about the catheter but this only started to annoy me just before they took it out (as a 50 year old bloke, not having to get up to pee in the night was a pleasant novelty initially). Food wasn’t great but that wasn’t a priority.
My wife’s operation (she received the kidney) was full on surgery and she was in for 10 days. A harder initial recovery for her (but mostly asleep, lots more drugs) then followed my experience. I was fine after a few weeks (but still took three months off work which was great), she was fine after a couple of months - lots of tiredness for her for a while.
Both all good afterwards, though I’m still waiting on the brownie points, and now she gets a new kitchen as well! Hope everything goes well, I’m sure it will do. Feel free to DM me.
Comment by cr0sis8bv at 01/02/2025 at 08:45 UTC
29 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Not exactly but I've had bladder embiggenning surgery once they realised my kidneys were shutting down, they get you to practice deep breathing, offer advice on how to sleep if one side hurts etc. All to aid a speedy recovery. If you're of the type that prefers to stay in bed when you feel a bit miff, you'll probably be in it a week or 3 and back to normal after 4-6 weeks. I'm not, so I probably moved around too much and made my recovery longer, but I just can't stay in a bed that long without feeling even more miserable. This opened a stomach staple days before it was due to be removed, don't be me.
If you start to feel depressed, ring a mate, tell your spouse, parents, old enough children.. don't dwell on it and let your darker thoughts through because you'll make some pretty shitty choices without realising it. Like not taking painkillers on time, taking too many... whatever it may be. Try and stay your best despite the circumstances.
You're young and fit, so as long as you're also not a 20 a day person, you'll have a speedier than average recovery.
I wish you well and don't feel too anxious, those involved in your surgery do this for a living every day of their lives and they're very very good at it!
Comment by Gloomy_Stage at 01/02/2025 at 08:43 UTC
20 upvotes, 1 direct replies
My grandfather had a kidney removed after a rally driving accident. This was about 50 years ago and it does not affect him from what I can see. You do have a spare kidney and your body will cope with it, just take care of yourself.
My brother had a 4 hour operation last week. He was home the same day! The marvels of modern medicine and quick recovery.
Good luck.
Comment by TobyMoorhouse at 01/02/2025 at 08:49 UTC
34 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Why are Urologists never serious? Because they are always taking the piss out of people
Comment by m4lgb at 01/02/2025 at 09:22 UTC
16 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I had a kidney removed in 2013 at the age of 31. I have polycystic kidney disease. They began the procedure as keyhole but reverted to open when they discovered the kidney was very large and could lead to further issues if they continued. I was absolutely crapping myself before the procedure, easily the biggest medical procedure ive been through. I had the op on Tuesday afternoon, got back on the ward after midnight, up and dressed the next day and discharged on Thursday. Everyone is different, I absolutely hate being in hospital and had young kids at home that I’d have rather been with, so pushed to get released. I had staples, not stitches and obviously a dressing over the top. Dressing changed at the drs for a couple of days and then a nurse came out and removed the staples. Was it sore? Yes. Was it manageable, absolutely. I had a very active job, I think I went back on phased return after 4 weeks, proper hours again 2 weeks later. Although I was off I was not bed ridden etc, still up and active everyday.
Some things to be aware of: Tramadol, they may try and give these little tablets of the devils dust to you, they work, holy shit do they work. Unfortunately they also made me hallucinate horrifically (I would have full conversations with someone standing in my living room whilst just my Mrs and I were there), they are also very hard to come off and they strongly suggest not going cold turkey.
Ibuprofen, you will not be able to take it any more, only paracetamol for pain relief (for the rest of your life), ibuprofen cannot be absorbed by your kidneys apparently. Stock up on Paracetamol.
If I lay down, as soon as I get up I have to pee. Apparently my one remaining kidney drains into the bladder when I lay down (?). Doesn’t make a difference until I get up so not an issue for sleeping etc.
Finally, good news:
11 years on and I am absolutely fine, other than a 5” scar on the side of my abdomen you would know anything! Chicks dig scars tho right?
You can still drink, your kidneys apparently are not affected by alcohol (?)
You get to give the next guy that wants advice some info!
I hope your op goes well, it was genuinely not as bad as I was expecting. Take your time, it’s your body and will heal differently to anyone else’s, give it the time and I’m sure you will make a full recovery.
If you want any more info let me know.
Thinking of you and best wishes!!
Comment by Ok-Zookeepergame8573 at 01/02/2025 at 09:11 UTC
14 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Im a doc. You'll be fine. The fact you're using reddit means you're probably younger than your average punter. You'll be left with a scar but I would imagine you'll be feeling nearly normal within 4-6 weeks. You'll be uncomfortable for maybe a week. I met an 88 year old yesterday who had the procedure you're having last year. He has loads of health problems and he's done marvellously.
Caught early which it sounds like yours has (given they have offered an op) kidney cancer has an excellent prognosis.
If you have a good experience with your hospital stay a card written to your surgeon to thank them really helps with our revalidation stuff.
Comment by Majick_L at 01/02/2025 at 08:58 UTC
10 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Not a kidney but I had most of my right lung removed in 2023 due to cancer. They’ll give you plenty of medication to manage any pain you’re in and will likely encourage you to get up and moving around as soon as you can. I had 2 drains attached and was in hospital for around 2 weeks
Comment by Acceptable_Bunch_586 at 01/02/2025 at 09:08 UTC
9 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Top tip by the way, sort yourself out a long charging cable for your phone so you can doom scroll to your hearts content and not have to sit in a wierd position so the phone charger reaches…. And if someone can lend you noise cancelling headphones
Comment by Acceptable_Bunch_586 at 01/02/2025 at 09:07 UTC
5 upvotes, 1 direct replies
My friend had one removed/ he smashed it falling off his bike. He was in his 30s when it happened. He’s a brick layer and it’s not made a perceptible difference to him. He asked the doctor if he needed to stop drinking as he only had one kidney now. Doctor said no, your fine no alcohol by the time stuff gets to your kidneys (was a bit annoying that as he’s an alcoholic who would have quit if the doctor told him to stop)!
Comment by How_did_the_dog_get at 01/02/2025 at 09:29 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
If you have never had any operation, 100% ask a nurse / whoever about something if you not sure.
And 100% say if your drugs are doing something. Or alternatively not. It seemed to pass my mum that there are anti sickness meds (which I'm sure you have encountered) so she had a not fun time being an old lady and just grinning through it.
I find opiates like morphine hit me super hard, or did, to a point when half the smallest dose was too much. Having had a few operations now I know what happens, last one I had morphine or whatever and it hit my hard, so hard I was laying down I almost fainted.
But good luck ! Have you asked to keep it , a stuffed and mounted trophy of sorts to warn the other one to keep in line ?
Comment by BeagleMadness at 01/02/2025 at 10:00 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I can't advise on procedures and recovery in recent times. But my Grandma had a kidney removed in the late 1950s for the same reason. She lived a very long, happy, healthy life afterwards and lived to almost 100. The surgery/recovery sounded rough back then, but obviously surgery and medicine has come a very long way since then! Best of luck to you.
Comment by MeringueSerious at 01/02/2025 at 08:59 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I haven't but I want to wish you all the best, and a speedy recovery
Comment by Dry_Corgi_5600 at 01/02/2025 at 09:35 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I'm 18 months in with a kidney transplant from my brother. Obviously, my side of the equation is different, but he was laid up directly for a few weeks, tender and restricted mobility, but he was never immobile. Your surgery might be different. It probably took him 5-6 weeks to get back on his feet. He was 43, doesn't drink or smoke, plays tag rugby, and is enjoying his first 9 months as a new dad. If you accept the 'shit happens' part, hopefully, the bigger picture is that the cancer is gone, and it's absolutely nothing you can't handle. Just for mental info, my brother had the kidney removed in London, and I was in Manchester. Everything was coordinated and transferred up the M6. You'll be sorted. I have never met a more switched on and completely awesome collective as renal👍
Comment by DisgruntledNun at 01/02/2025 at 09:39 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My dad has lived the last 25 years with about 2/3rds of one kidney remaining and he leads a happy and fulfilling life. Short term its gonna be unpleasant but more than likely you will be okay in the long term.
He calls his Leonidas after the king of the Spartans, still holding the line to this day
You got this!
Comment by Think-Juggernaut8859 at 01/02/2025 at 10:00 UTC
5 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Had a nephrectomy in 2018. Much easier take something out. I was home after a few days. Still a bit sore and tender. You’ll be fine.
Comment by blondererer at 01/02/2025 at 10:06 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My grandad had a kidney removed due to an issue related to kidney stone removal going wrong. This was around the 1980s.
He lived to 101 and passed from a fall.
Comment by em_press at 01/02/2025 at 10:41 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Not specifically kidney stuff, but if you’re having surgery, holy hell will the opioids make you constipated. Stock up on stuff like lactulose (stool softener) in advance, dried fruit snacks and the like.
Comment by Poulticed at 01/02/2025 at 08:56 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Can't help in any way but good luck to you mate.
Comment by SquashyDisco at 01/02/2025 at 09:30 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Send my regards to ar’kid.
Comment by english_muppet at 01/02/2025 at 09:31 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My mum had one removed in her 60’s. She was unfit and overweight…. She was fine and bounced back quick. In your 30s and fighting for?? You’ll be grand. Good luck buddy
Comment by PristineLog7 at 01/02/2025 at 10:07 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I had a partial nephrectomy around five years ago.
Mine was done laparoscopically though (surprisingly as I'm overweight). I was home the next day (once my catheter and drain were removed!)
Took a few months to feel "normal" again (as in mobility, tiredness and pain).
No lingering effects it seems.
Good luck. (FYI my surgery was assisted by a Da Vinci robot, I'm not sure how common that is. )
Comment by BobbyP27 at 01/02/2025 at 09:48 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
They're not just taking the piss, they are taking the piss maker! Now you'll be one kidney short of a steak and kidney pie.
Seriously, I hope it goes well and you can be rid of your illness. I don't have any relevant direct experience, but the NHS are top people, and they will do everything they can to get you back on your feet as quick as possible.
Comment by posh-u at 01/02/2025 at 10:20 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’m afraid I can’t weigh in on the operation or recovery discussion, but what I can add is:
Organs can be requested to be kept. They can say no, but once stored in formaldahyde (formalin in the UK, at 35%+ formaldahyde for microbiology used) organs can be stored almost indefinitely
Comment by Material_Tiny at 01/02/2025 at 11:34 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Not yet, but I've got a Tinder date lined up for tonight.