The Post-Kidney Transplant Clinic takes place Monday to Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.. Other dates and times may be added depending on the number of patients we have and staff availability.
When you leave the hospital, your nurse will give you your first appointment to come to the post-kidney transplant clinic. For the first few weeks you will be coming to the clinic often. You can read more information about what to expect at clinic visits. You will also complete bloodwork regularly. You may also be need to complete additional tests at St Michael’s Hospital.
Answers to Common Questions
Who will I see at the transplant clinic?
We have many people in our post-kidney transplant team. This includes:
- Transplant nephrologists
- Nurse practitioner / diabetes educator
- Transplant nurses
- Pharmacist
- Dietitian
- Social worker
- Clerical assistants
Life after kidney transplant may be a little different. Here are some resources to help support you.
Below are some resources to help you after transplant:
- My guide after kidney transplant
- What to expect when you have kidney transplant surgery
- Going home after your transplant surgery
- Delayed graft function
- Drug coverage and finances
- What medicines will I be taking after transplant surgery
- Handling transplant medicines safely
- Taking insulin for steroid induced hyperglycemia
- What is the immune system?
- Having a kidney biopsy
- How to thank an anonymous living donor
What if I have questions?
Post-transplant clinic
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Phone: 416-867-3665, option 2
Email: [email protected]
Please leave a voicemail or send an email. We will respond to you within 1 to 3 business days.
Transplant pharmacists
Email: [email protected]
For time-sensitive issues outside office hours
Speak with the nephrologist on call
Hours: Weekdays, 4 to 10 p.m.
Weekends, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone: 416-864-5431
After these hours, go to the nearest Emergency Department if unwell, or contact the transplant clinic the next day.
When should I call the clinic?
Call the clinic if you have fever or flu-like symptoms, if you have questions about your medicines, or other transplant-related concerns. We are not able to see you without an appointment. If you are very unwell, please go to your local emergency department.
What if my transplant was outside of Canada?
If you received a kidney transplant outside of Canada, your local dialysis centre, nephrologist or family doctor can send a referral to the post-transplant clinic for follow-up care. Referral packages and information can be faxed to 416-867-3740. Bring an English copy of your medical records, and make sure you have at least 1 month of medication. We cannot provide you with prescriptions without an appointment.
Are there any considerations for medications I require?
After getting a kidney transplant, you will need to take anti-rejection medications every day to keep your new kidney healthy. Without these medications, your body will attack the new kidney and it will no longer work.
The following three anti-rejection medications are usually prescribed after a kidney transplant:
- tacrolimus (Advagraf® or Envarsus®)
- mucophenolate (Myfortic®, generics)
- prednisone
Your transplant team will teach you about your transplant medications and provide you with written resources. You will also get some practice managing these new medications during your hospital stay.
Some people experience side effects from anti-rejection medications. Your transplant team will make sure that you understand the common side effects from each medication as well as the side effects that are rare but serious. If you experience any side effects from medications after transplant, your transplant team will help you to manage them.
You can expect that some of the medications you were taking before transplant will be changed or stopped. Your transplant team will review all of the changes with you and will send a summary to your pharmacy. If you are taking herbal medications or natural health products, you may need to stop taking these after transplant as they can interact with your anti-rejection medications or affect your immune system. You will need to avoid eating or drinking grapefruit and pomelo because they can cause a dangerous interaction with your anti-rejection medications.