Nutrition after kidney removal

The diet after removal of the kidney helps to reduce the load on the diet after removal of the kidney with a tumor of the preserved organ while adapting to the new changed conditions. It is possible to fully recover after the operation after 1-1.5 years, and at this time the main load falls on one kidney. With the help of special nutrition, it is possible to restore the normal functioning of the body and facilitate the functioning of the organ of the excretory system.

Reasons for kidney removal

Surgical intervention is resorted to in extreme cases, when there is a threat to the life of the patient. In addition, an indication for such treatment is the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy. Unilateral nephrectomy can be performed for various pathologies of the organ in children or adults, as well as when it is impossible to restore its work or anatomical integrity.

The operation is usually resorted to in the following situations:

• congenital anomalies of the organ;
• gunshot wounds that cause crushing of the parenchyma;
• urolithiasis, which is complemented by the development of a pathological process with the accumulation of purulent exudate;
• kidney failure;
• multiple cystic formations in the body of the kidney;
• damage to the kidney with further disruption of its normal functioning;
• malignant neoplasms.

Bilateral nephrectomy is used only in extreme cases, and such a procedure is considered as an intermediate stage of kidney transplantation to prevent subsequent infection of the body.

Basic principles of nutrition

For each patient, a special diet is selected strictly individually, taking into account various factors. Attention is drawn to the age of the patient, the presence of chronic pathologies and the general condition of the body.

With the help of a special diet, you can achieve the following results:

• reduce the load on the adrenal glands and organs of the urinary system;
• reduce the intake of harmful substances into the body and accelerate their excretion;
• prevent the progression of the infectious and inflammatory process in the kidneys;
• minimize the likelihood of kidney failure;
• accelerate the adaptation of the preserved kidney to new loads;
• prevent the formation of stones and the development of urolithiasis.

The diet after surgery is based on the following principles:

• the amount of protein in the daily diet should not exceed 70-80 grams;
• the volume of fluid consumed should be reduced to 1-1.2 liters;
• the amount of salt should not exceed 3-5 grams per day;
• it is best to cook, stew, bake or steam foods;
• It is recommended to eat food in small portions with fractional snacks.

After surgery to remove the kidney, you should review your diet and make it more varied. In addition, it is important to consume high-calorie foods while maintaining energy value. The basis of such a special diet is vegetables and fruits, which serve as a source of various vitamins and minerals.

Features of nutrition in the postoperative period

Nutrition after surgery depends on the stage of the recovery period. On the first day, salt and protein should be excluded from the patient's menu, and the amount of fluid consumed depends on the indicators of diuresis. After completion of the operation for several hours, you should refuse to eat any food except water. Thanks to drinking, it is possible to quickly move away from anesthesia, and the preserved kidney to adapt to new living conditions.

In fact, the first week after a nephrectomy is the hardest. The patient is constantly tormented by the feeling of hunger, since the proposed dishes lack a protein component. It is quite difficult to get enough of such dishes, therefore, the patient often has a bad mood and a nervous breakdown is observed.

On the first day of special nutrition, it is strictly forbidden to eat any meat dishes, since they will only create an additional burden on the body. You can include them in the diet only in the second month after the operation, when the body is already adapting to its new diet.

From about the second week after the nephrectomy, you can switch to a normal diet. During the day, there should be several meals, and portions should be made small. This amount is quite well absorbed by the body, the feeling of hunger disappears and the general well-being of a person improves.

After a nephrectomy, it is important to maintain a normal volume of fluid, because its lack can cause dehydration. If too much liquid is consumed, the kidney may simply fail, which provokes kidney failure. On the 7th-10th day, the patient is allowed to consume a small amount of steamed protein foods.

Nutrition for a patient with only one kidney working requires a balance of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. The diet after removal of a kidney with a tumor should be prepared according to traditional technologies, but it is important to take into account some recommendations. It is important that the patient's diet is dominated by dishes prepared by cooking. Fish and meat products are recommended to be steamed, and fruits and vegetables are slightly stewed. This method of cooking allows you to save most of the nutrients and preserve the taste of the dish. Sauces and soups are best prepared with vegetable broths or water.

Meals after being discharged home

After discharge from the medical institution, the patient must wear a special bandage. In the absence of any complications, it will be possible to fully recover after the operation at least six months later. In order to reduce the impact of negative factors on the remaining organ, it is important to adhere to a special diet. What you can eat after removing the kidney is better to find out from your doctor.

The menu should be varied, contain a sufficient amount of vitamins and various trace elements. It is recommended to limit salt intake, and replace it with cumin, chicken or citric acid. This allows you to make dishes more useful and improve their taste. In order to avoid problems with the stool, it is recommended to introduce dishes such as baked apple prunes and apricots into the diet. After surgery, it is better to limit the consumption of dairy products, since their consumption in large quantities can cause sand to accumulate in the kidney.

Approved Products

Many patients after discharge from the hospital are concerned about the question of what to eat after nephrectomy. Experts identify a list of products that are allowed to be included in the patient's diet in moderation. Nutrition after removal of the kidney is recommended to fill:

• greenery;
• vegetables;
• nuts and dried fruits;
• pasta;
• honey;
• semolina;
• white rice;
• chicken eggs.

In addition, it is recommended to eat meat or fish of low-fat varieties in the form of meatballs and meatballs. You can introduce protein-free homemade bread made from potato or corn starch into your diet. After removal of a diseased kidney for cancer, it is necessary to consume as many dishes as possible with a sufficient amount of antioxidants. It is recommended to include foods such as pomegranate green tea, broccoli and seaweed on the menu.

Prohibited Products

Special nutrition for kidney disease requires compliance with some restrictions that should not be ignored. The use of certain products adversely affects a person's health, disrupts the functioning of his immune system and interferes with the normal functioning of a healthy organ. The patient is advised to stop using:

• strong coffee and tea;
• hot sauces;
• alcohol;
• chocolate
• a large amount of salt;
• pickled mushrooms;
• hot sauces;
• semi-finished products;
• fatty meats and fish.

Such products have a negative effect on the functioning of the remaining kidney, slowing down the processes taking place in it. After a nephrectomy, the patient must reconsider his habits, which will allow him to at least slightly return to normal life.

Dish recipes

There are many recipes for meals that can be prepared for a patient after surgery to remove a diseased kidney with or without cancer. When preparing dishes, it is allowed to use only high-quality and fresh products, to refuse salt and spices that irritate the body.

You can cook the following dishes at home:

1. Carrot puree. It is necessary to thoroughly wash the carrots, remove the skin from it and cut into small circles. The prepared root crop should be poured with broth and put to cook on the stove. After that, it is recommended to add a little oil, salt and grind all the products until a slurry is formed. To improve the taste of the cooked dish, you can grate a little hard cheese or decorate the puree with one boiled egg.
2. Milk cabbage soup. It is necessary to boil the cauliflower in a small amount of water at the same time as one carrot. Pour 2 cups of milk into the dish, bring the mass to a boil and add flour, previously fried in butter. Milk cabbage juice is recommended to season with dill and parsley root.
3. Fish cutlets. To prepare the dish, you need to break the bread into slices and dip it in cream. The prepared fillet of low-fat fish should be ground into minced meat using a meat grinder or blender, add salt, bread and egg white to the resulting mass. From the resulting mixture, you need to prepare minced meat of a uniform consistency, from which cutlets will be formed in the future. They should be steamed or baked in the oven. After the operation, you should completely abandon the preparation of dishes in a frying pan by frying. Fish cutlets should be cooked for no more than 20-25 minutes, and then consumed with herbs or lemon.
4. Meat puree with rice. To prepare the dish, boil 2 tablespoons of cereals and 200 grams of beef meat separately until cooked, then cool slightly. Products must be crushed in a blender or passed through a meat grinder. It is recommended to put the resulting mass on fire, add ½ cup of hot milk and simmer on fire for 5 minutes. The cooked dish should be removed from the heat and season with a tablespoon of oil.

After the operation to remove the kidney, it is necessary to adjust the diet, and be sure to follow the recommendations of a specialist. The diet after nephrectomy allows the body to cope with the double load and prevent the development of any complications. Compliance with proper nutrition allows you to shorten the rehabilitation period and get as close as possible to your usual life.