Hemodialysis and Weight Management

Monitoring and managing your weight is important as it helps to monitor the fluid balance in your body, avoiding overload and additional complications that follow. 

Extra fluid can be dangerous and cause extra pressure on your body, including your heart and lungs.

Maintaining a healthy weight also helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

Many patients, however, wonder. What is my normal, healthy weight?

The weight at which the patient's body is in a properly hydrated state, without accumulation of excess fluid, is considered normal. In the context of hemodialysis, your normal weight is what your body returns to after removing excess fluid during a session.

Your normal weight is determined with the help of your medical team, which monitors weight over time and notes any changes that occur in it.

How will I know if I am at my normal weight?

  • Your blood pressure is within normal levels after dialysis or before your next session.
  • You do not experience symptoms such as dizziness or cramps between dialysis sessions.
  • You do not experience swelling in your feet, feet, hands or around your eyes.
  • Your breathing is comfortable and easy.

How can I maintain my normal weight?

  • Emphasize the amount of fluids you ingest. The team of doctors who monitor you will guide you to the right amount you can consume.
  • Follow a personalized diet plan, also developed in collaboration with your doctors.
  • Avoid salty foods. Salt makes your body retain extra fluids. It will also make you thirstier, which makes it harder to control fluid intake between treatments.
  • Monitor your body weight on a daily basis so that you are aware of any changes.

With information from the National Kidney Foundation

Testimonials

  • Very good medical supervision but also support in a human level for both patients and their families. Doctors are scientifically trained, humane and always available. All staff are supportive and offer very good service. The space is new, properly equipped and pleasant. I thank them all very much for the care they have given us and continue to give us.
    Eirini G.
  • Professional and human. Scientists who overtime to inform families.
    Elli K.
  • A new building literally in the center of Athens. It has a two-level underground parking in an area where there is not even a sample. Cleanliness and order everywhere. It also has a new ambulance for patient movements. An excellent chronic dialysis unit in Athens.
    Ioannis Ch.
  • Professionals in their field and staff are always smiling! Doctors are good and right! The space in the secretariat is large, with many armchairs and a large TV to pass the time pleasantly! Finally, it has a two-storey underground parking (-1, -2), just as large as many parking spaces for staff and patients!
    Mike K.
  • Excellent dialysis unit, all doctors and support staff are wonderful and genuinely interested in the patient. I have no words to express my gratitude for what they have offered my mother for almost two years. A demonstrably difficult incident, in which with their own investigation and assistance they managed to extend her life. Many thanks!!!
    Nancy K.
  • I'm very, very pleased. In this unit everyone was there, very polite, professional in their work and very pleasant environment!!!!
    Stavros E.