stomach swelling after liver transplant four years ago

Hi rosemary thanks for inviting me to ur forum I had telephone consultation
y/day Dr says my Alkaline Phosphatase is high over 1.30 so more blood tests
&a scan he doesn't no wats causing it as my own drs didn't send him the
Traclamus results I'm not to worried but it's really affecting my husband
who is no good with health problems he goes to pieces he'll be like it
until I have more news Have u heard ov any 1 who has this problem &wat
caused it &how it was resolved I no things r different over in USA but it
might give me a insight into it Hope u r keeping well look 4ward to ur
reply

Hi, @merryjane. More labs and a scan sounds familiar to me! That is what my doctors have done when they need to get more information.

Here is a discussion where members have mentioned abdominal swelling. As a Connect member, you can read any or select posts that are of interest to you. You can also post your own comments and questions. I would encourage you to read thru comments since some are more/less related to your particular concerns.
-Incisional hernia after transplant: Anyone else? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/incisional-hernia/

Maryjane, My husband is also very concerned whenever I have something wrong with me - especially since my transplant surgery. Did your husband 'attend' the consult with you?

When will you be going for the scan? Is it a CT? How are you feeling?

I had my liver transplant 6/19/21 and I’m still swelling and having to have paras done. I was good for a few weeks after but then I really started to swell and gain fluid. In my legs again as well. After my paras I still feel swollen and bloated and think that may just be normal swelling after the surgery. Any thoughts? Thanks and God bless you all!

@dustinmurphy, Good Morning and Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Congratulations on your liver transplant!
I had my liver and kidney transplant in 2009. I did not have any swelling or bloating during my recovery period. We each have many similar, and yet individual differences with out transplant experiences. On Connect, patients are able to share experiences as well as helpful hints and encouragement along the way.
You have already had a procedure to drain the fluid and are still feeling bloated and swollen. When was this procedure and was your transplant team aware of it? At only 2 months post transplant, please don't assume that anything is 'normal'. You are still in the healing process and your body is on powerful medications and is still trying to adjust.
Dustin, I would encourage you to contact your transplant team and ask if this is normal. . They are the ones who can best advise you as to what is normal for you. In the off chance that there is an infection or something causing this, you would want to catch it early. Can you call or do you have a patient portal where you can send a message?

How is your overall recovery coming ?

I had a liver transplant in 2012. Prior to the transplant my stomach was growing a little but now I look pregnant. The doctors say the muscles were severed and so I have to live with it. Obviously I’m not happy. Am I the only one with a bulging stomach.

Hi...my liver transplant was 11/10/19. About June 2020 just below my incision on the left side, a bulge developed, Dr's called it an incisional hernia. It's now the size of a honey dew melon. Drs say if it's not painful, leave it alone. I hate it...not sure if it's what you have....

I had four hernias repaired. They helped, but my stomach is still large.
I am fairly active

@ronromo, Welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a community of patients who come together to share our experiences and to support others who are like us. I have a liver transplant and although I did have a hernia surgery after my transplant, I have not had bulging stomach since before my transplant due to ascites and edema. My incision is just below my ribcage and perhaps that has been the reason.
I can understand your dissatisfaction about having to live with this bulge, but it sounds as if the doctors have identified the reason for the bulge, and there must be some relief that there is no medical complication. Are you able to wear any kind of supportive undergarment to add support for appearance?

Here is a discussion that might interest you. It is a long one, and it is a perfect example of our 'coffee table' kind of conversations that revolve around related issues. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/incisional-hernia/

You are not alone with this concern. I see that @kathycaudle has already met you and graciously shared her story. I would like to tag the following members to this discussion -
@terry14, @melody12, @christinelouise, @merryjane, @benlam11, @lvowell, @livertrex -
What is your experience with post transplant stomach bulge or hernia?

My liver transplant was in August 2019. I had complications and I had another surgery in December 2019, cutting along the same scare. I have a bulg on my left side between the scare and the ribs. I just figure it is scare tissue. The area below the scare is numb an bulges because of fat. I am no bathing beauty, thats for sure. I try and stretching and I do crunches every morning. I figure if i can build up my stomach and could have a six pack of muscle. [ Ha, ha, hope!]

@livertrex i love your sense of humor!!! My bulge is fortunately a small one where I have a transplanted kidney. I got both a liver and kidney simultaneously. My extra layer of “muscle” is a good cover/up for it! HaHa!

Great to hear from you. Did you you see @ronroma’s 2 posts?