What is the recovery time for kidney surgery?

Different patients recover at different rates, but in general, kidney patients should wait about six weeks before undertaking any strenuous activity, according to University of Utah Health Care. The doctor and nurse discuss permitted and restricted activities and at-home instructions with each patient.

After kidney surgery, most patients stay in the hospital between two and seven days. Pain from the incision is likely for the first several days, although it is less of a concern with laparoscopy, as the incision is smaller. Most patients have a urinary catheter for several days and feel weakness and fatigue for a period of time that varies from one patient to the next. Diarrhea and constipation are both possible during recovery, notes University of Utah Health Care.