@fauneconner , @ mlmcc - I agree with you mlmcg however I am cooking for both my children so they are eating "regular" carb and protein and the veggies that my husband and I eat. Having said that, they are proud of the healthy changes we are making so they are supportive of our new eating routine. When we ate out this weekend we just made wiser choices and ate half the food. I forgot to mention Faune that Jenny Craig's sodium is 2000mg or less per day (quite low) and they have type 1 and 2 diabetes menus. It is also quite low protein (acceptable for my poor kidney function) but still sufficient to sustain you. The diet is planned by dieticians so it is the most balanced I have ever eaten which for me means more lean protein, less fruit, more veggies and obviously appropriate portions (the latter being my worst transgression).

Lynn, forgot to add that you must be under 40 BMI for transplant. Blood sugar cut off as a donor was no higher than 110 fasting. They also discovered that I had a small hernia near by belly button but they told me the surgeon could repair that during the transplant. I am sure it was t he best physical I have ever had! I also asked them questions re pain meds following surgery.I spoke with the pharmacist re those. ; I know they included usually 3 doses of toradol, then oxycodone or vicodin gradually weaning down to tylenol extra strength 3 times a day.. You might also receive injectible heparin while in the hospital. Donor is usually sorer than recipient due to muscles that are cut thru or intestines rearranged to have access to the kidney. Knowing Mayo any pain is well controlled. I anticipate more soreness than anything as a donor.

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@fauneconner - Once again, a plethora of information I'm so pleased to receive.! My BMI is in range but I'm still loosing weight so I hope it keeps going down to help with my recovery and overall health. I guess it is a good thing that they can fix your hernia during the transplant surgery to avoid having two surgeries. Interesting to know that the donor has more pain than the recipient. I never knew that their intestines are rearranged! The more I learn about this process the more incredible it becomes. That helps me understand why the donor is to stay off work for 3 weeks, even if they have a desk/office job. Will you have someone at Mayo to take care of you and another person to care for your husband? Just wondering how that works since I think you both need caregivers.

Last summer I heard a Mayo transplant surgeon talk at a PKD convention and he said the surgery is just simple plumbing and it's really not a big deal. He was being humble and downplaying the critical role he plays in the process but as I learn more about it the whole process it blows my mind. I'm so thankful for the first donor, recipient, and surgeons that were willing to take the risk and try transplanting a kidney!

Yes, Lynn, Mayo does over 600 kidney transplants a year. They are definitely #1. As far as care givers I have a friend who will stay with me the first week and after that I will hopefully be able to return home due to our pets. Bill will probably have to stay 2-3 weeks and he will have to switch off friends I suppose to have someone with him. They want the care givers to go to the pre-op, post op meetings I think. It is more of a companion type thing in case you should need something or have someone drive you to your appointments, etc.

Thanks for trying and being happy with your new way of eating. Once you start it you do not want to go back to what you once did.
If portions are your problem use smaller plates, luncheon works best for me, and salad forks, you cannot take as much food at one time as you can with a dinner fork. Smaller bowls and forget that large spoon for your soup, I like soup cups.
mlmcg

Support from friends and family is essential for me. I don't know if I could have come this far on my own sheer willpower!
Rosemary

@mlmcg, Thanks, I absolutely love these ideas! Rosemary

While this discussing has opened to the subject of eating and weight gain. Kristin, @keggebraaten, who is one of the transplant moderators on Connect, posted a new Transplant Blog. The blog posts are by the transplant staff. And today she posted one about weight gain after transplant! Is that great timing???

Here is the link if you want to check it out.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/weight-gain-after-transplant-where-does-it-come-from-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it-2/
I think the ice cream part could be about me! Ice cream is my down fall - I jokingly call it my 'beverage' of choice since my transplant. And, "Yes" moderation is the necessity!
Rosemary

@rosemary - I found this very helpful and did think her timing was impeccable!