stomach swelling after liver transplant four years ago

@rgt, Welcome to Connect. I want to Congratulate you on your liver transplant in March. I had my liver and kidney transplant in 2009, and I did not need any paracentesis after my transplant, although I did have my fair share of them before it. Was your April paracentesis performed by your transplant center or at a local facility? What are your transplant doctors saying about why you are accumulating fluid your abdomen?

I would like to invite you to post your question in the Liver transplant support group where it can be more readily viewed by liver transplant recipients. You can click on this link in blue > https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/liver-support-group/

Here is a discussion where new transplant patients are sharing in Post Transplant Surgery and Early Recovery: What's normal? > https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-liver-transplant/

I had a liver and kidney transplant 10/24/20. I have the same symptoms as you described. I had a cat and it shows fluid, but prescribed diuretics rather than drain. My right side has eased up, but my stomach is way bloated especially under belly button. I also don’t sleep well at all.

@lvowell, Welcome to Mayo Connect and a Congratulations on your liver and kidney transplant. I see that today marks 2 months since your transplant surgery, so I think it is safe to say that your body is still getting adjusted to the new medications and the new organs.

It sounds like you are saying that the diuretics have reduced the fluid accumulation/swelling in the right side of your abdomen.
But what about the bloating - Have your doctors said if this is related to the fluid retention? Or is it a digestive issue related to bowels or new foods that you are reintroducing to your diet? Constipation can be a problem for us after transplant because of our activity level and also because of the medications that we must take. I had my liver and kidney transplant in 2009, and I do remember a different abdominal pain as I healed and as I began to get more active. I later learned that my pain was attributed to scar tissue and to my increased physical activity. In that situation, I was advised to go easy and to gradually increase my activity level. It gave me peace of mind to know that I was okay and as I increased my exercise and walking, the pain diminished as did my irregularity and constipation.

Are you running a temperature? Have you mentioned the pain to your transplant team?

lvowell, I have a discussion to share with you where you can join the conversation and ask your question so that other new transplant recipients will see it. Post Transplant Surgery and Early Recovery: What's normal?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-liver-transplant/

I did stay in the hospital. They did ultrasound, ct scan and said all were good. Said had fluid in abdomen, around heart and lungs. They didn’t want to do para drain. I haven’t been as active while hurting and taking colace. My opinion a drain once would help, but they are the drs. I am itching all in the abdomen, but they said it’s healing. I need to be patient. I did so great right after surgery that I was only in the hospital 5 days. It does really not when I eat even the smallest of meals. They say I am young into this and it takes time to heal. I am so blessed and few guilty of the sanest complaint. Without the transplants I would not be here to enjoy life. I a forever grateful.

@lvowell, I want to visit (from a safe distance) today. How are you feeling? Have you been able to get any relief from the stomach bloating?

I am feeling better with the fluid gone down. My stomach/chest feels full. The coordinator said I received a larger liver than my body so that accts for some of the fullness feeling and my kidneys were left and one added and they have not swiveled down yet. I am three months post liver and. I was wondering how long the numbness lasted for most transplant patients.

Post liver and kidney. Blessed.

Still numb 3" below the entire length of scare and my transplant was last year in August.

@lvowell, I had a liver and kidney transplant, too. And, unbelievable as it sounds, I also got a large kidney and liver. I had PSC (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis) which progressed to end stage liver failure, and then acute kidney failure and dialysis until transplant. My body was swollen with fluid retention due top ascites from the liver failure, and edema from the kidney failure. My native kidneys are now shriveled to the size of prunes, and cause me no problem. I see the liver transplant team and the kidney transplant team each year on my annual check-up. Fortunately, the both use most of the same diagnostic tests.

I would imagine that your body is still healing internally at just 2 months after transplant surgery. Are you able to do any walking or to begin any exercise?

@lvowell, @livertrex, I noticed the numbness when I first transplanted, too. I don't remember when, but the numbness eventually became my new normal, and it doesn't bother me anymore. I am told that the numbness is because nerves were cut during the surgical process. I hope this helps.

@lvowell, It has been a while since you posted. and I want to check in with you. If I am doing my math correctly you are approaching your 6 month post transplant month and are probably well into your recovery and adjusting to your new life as a recipient.
Are you becoming more comfortable with the numbness that you have described?
Will you be having a 4 (or 5 or 6) month check up with your transplant team?