Week One Recovery
What the first week home after transplant tends to look like.
The first week home is a big adjustment - your body is healing, your medication routine is brand new, and your schedule is suddenly full of appointments. It's normal for this week to feel overwhelming. Here's what tends to be typical, in general terms.
What's Common This Week
Fatigue that comes and goes - short walks are usually encouraged, but rest is just as important.
Frequent follow-up appointments and lab draws while your team fine-tunes your medications.
Getting used to a new daily medication schedule, often with several medications at different times.
Incision care and watching the site as it heals.
A mix of emotions - relief, anxiety, and adjustment are all common.
Building Your Routine
Many recipients find it helpful to set up a simple system right away - a pill organizer, phone reminders, or an app like HeartTraxIQ - so medications, vitals, and appointments don't rely on memory alone. Having a family member or friend help track things during this first week can take some pressure off while you focus on healing.
Typical Activity Guidance
Most teams ask recipients to avoid heavy lifting, driving, and strenuous activity for a period of time after surgery, while gentle walking is usually encouraged. Follow your own surgeon's and team's specific restrictions rather than a general timeline, since they vary by individual recovery.
When to Call Your Team
Fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms
Redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage at the incision
Sudden weight gain, new shortness of breath, or swelling in your legs
Any symptom that feels sudden, severe, or simply "not right"
Keep your transplant coordinator's number somewhere easy to find during this first week - it's normal to call with questions, and your team would rather hear from you than have you wait and worry.
Have questions about how this applies to you? Contact your transplant team or care coordinator - they know your specific history and treatment plan.