After radical nephrectomy, if no postoperative complications occur, the patient is usually discharged 3 to 5 days after surgery. However, the specific situation should take into account the intraoperative condition at the time of surgery and the patient’s recovery after surgery.
Patients should rest after radical nephrectomy, but this does not mean that they should stay at home, reduce their daily activities, and do nothing. This is rather harmful than beneficial, both in terms of lack of proper physical activity and in terms of lowering the patient’s mental state. It is a well-established fact that physical activity strengthens the immune system.
Physical activity is very important for weight control, muscle preservation, keeping bones strong, and reducing the incidence of heart disease. Consistent physical activity also helps maintain good balance in the body, promotes sleep, and reduces anxiety. Through physical activity, you can also lose excess fat.
In fact, about 3 weeks after kidney surgery, patients can go out and be active because the wound has almost healed and the pain has largely disappeared, so appropriate activity outside is more conducive to recovery and improved appetite and sleep. We recommend that patients go to a place where the air is fresh, quiet and comfortable, such as walking in the park. By about 6 weeks postoperatively, patients can begin moderate aerobic training, including brisk walking, dancing, hiking, swimming, and jogging.
But remember that all activity should be moderate, and overexertion does not work to strengthen the body. A healthy body will improve the patient’s immunity, which is an important capital to beat kidney cancer.
A reasonable diet is also very important to prevent tumor recurrence, while kidney cancer patients also need to protect kidney function after surgery.
- Variety of foods: Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits and coarse processed staples, mainly plant-based foods. Make sure you eat 3 to 5 vegetables and 2 to 4 fruits every day, with special attention to dark vegetables rich in vitamin A and fruits rich in vitamin C.
- Maintain an appropriate weight and avoid being underweight or overweight.
- Maintain appropriate physical activity and be active in appropriate physical activities.
- Strictly abstain from smoking, and alcohol is not recommended.
- Use less than 80g of red meat (beef, lamb, pork and their products) per day, choose poultry and fish as much as possible; reduce the intake of soy products (tofu, etc.).
- Limit the intake of animal fats and choose vegetable oils in limited amounts, with total fat and oil supplying 15% to 30% of total energy.
- A light but not salty diet, with no more than 6g of salt per day; and limit sugar intake.
- Do not eat moldy or spoiled food. Do not cook fish and meat at too high a temperature, do not eat burnt food, do not eat roasted meat and pickled food.
- Monitor the safety limits for food additives, pesticides and their residues, and other chemical contaminants.
- Avoid nephrotoxic drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, certain antibiotics, etc.
- Actively monitor and control blood pressure in the normal range; control blood glucose normally.