Video: Transplant prep tips from Mayo Clinic’s patient community

Transplant prep tips from Mayo Clinic's patient community

The Mayo Clinic Connect patient community offers advice on how to prep for a transplant, a "changing moment in your life."

• Try the Mediterranean diet. "It has enough REAL food that I don't starve, and I switch menu plan items around."
• Get a kitchen scale. "I use it often now to make sure that my portion sizes are in the right range."
• Move as much as you can. "Being fit pretransplant will help you get through recovery."
• Get aqua-aerobic in a heated pool. "Therapy pool water is warm and gentle. You can tailor exercises to your own abilities."
• Cut the liquid calories. "I stopped drinking juice and lemonade. I add fresh berries or a pinch of stevia to water."
• Anticipate kitchen temptations. "Use cooking methods that prevent mindless snacking, such as a slow cooker."
• Play to win the long game. "In order to keep our new gift of life, we need a healthy new way to live from now on."

Guidance from the experts at Mayo Clinic.