What can I do to help husband after Kidney Removal

I recommend soft, comfy clothes and easy slip-on shoes for post op. Maybe some shape pillows as he will be sleeping on his back for a while - see what he thinks he will need. I was soon up and walking, just a toddle round the room at first, but listening to music, reading and watching TV helped to pass the time and distract from any discomfort so think about how you can keep his mind occupied. I got tired very quickly at first. I found cleansing wipes useful. The hospital will give you any meds you may need and advice about wound care. I think he Is lucky to have such a thoughtful and considerate wife! Best wishes. 

Hi

i had my kidney removed 5 weeks ago. When I first came out of hospital I struggled to get comfortable sitting down and whereas I usually read a lot I couldn’t find a comfortable position to place my book. My daughter bought me a “reading cushion”, purchased on-line, and I found that a big help - its made out of quite firm foam which meant I could put my weight on the arms to help me to stand from a sitting position. I agree that loose clothing and slip on shoes help - I’ve lived in fur lined crocs.

Hope all goes well for your husband

Thank you so much, It hadn't crossed my mind about shoes! Ive taken three weeks off work so I'll be around to help/annoy him. I'll look into pillows too, thank you for the tips. xxx

Thank you, Hope you are healing well. good idea about the reading pillow xx

I was in a similar position when my wife had a kidney removed last year. It wasn't keyhole surgery unfortunately, so slightly different to your situation. Due to the scale of the surgery she found that she couldn't sleep in a normal bed at first and so we rented a hospital-style bed for a couple of weeks. Apart from the physical aspects that others have mentioned, the main thing for me was just providing mental and physical "support". I hope everything goes well for you both.

Hi,

I had an open radical nephrectomy 7 weeks ago and my husband has and still is looking after me.

During the hospital stay, I found having some over the ears cancelling noise headphones helped me sleeping a bit better on the ward.

Back home, help getting out of bed when I got in a muddle in the rolling technique helped.

I had a bit of an allergic reaction to something and my back was really dry so he put cream on me. He also put the vaseline on my scar as it is easier for him than me.

Most of all, it is the emotional support. Knowing that he loves me is what matters. So just be there for him. 

I personally think it is harder for him than me because I have the pain, I am going through it, he doesn't so the suffering is almost worse I think. Knowing he is there for me meant the world to me. I wouldn't fight as much if he were not here by my side.

He also carries everything for me, shopping bags, house plants that I need to water, getting things out of reach.. I am only 5.2 feet!

It's not much but I wish you all the best, you'll get through this.

Oh, I forgot.. loose fitting clothes are good. Anything elastic!

Thank you, trying to support him as much as possible, operation is tomorrow so hoping it goes ahead xx 

Thank you so much for this, it is hard being the one it isn’t happening too as you feel so useless and want to take it all away! I hope I am as much use as your husband obviously was to you, he sounds a star! Xx operation tomorrow so hoping it goes ahead, but all these tips have definitely helped me prepare a little xxx Hope your doing well x 

Good luck for tomorrow.

Also, try not to worry if you don't hear that your husband is in the ward within the time frame.

My op was about 4 hours. I was scheduled at 9am but my husband didn't get any news till 6pm. He was really worried. I can't imagine what it was like. But the op is only one bit. There's the preparation time, the recovery time etc so 4 hours is actually a lot longer.

I thought it might be useful to know that. I wish we knew that.

Best of luck