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Incisional hernia after transplant: Anyone else?
Transplants | Last Active: Oct 28, 2023 | Replies (173)Comment receiving replies
Hi Rosemary....its amazing how quickly time passes...my journey started in 2014, and here it is two year anniversary for my gift of life...my new liver😊🥰.
I'm a Kaiser patient, but my transplant was done at Mayo Jacksonville. I've never had an "anniversary " checkup. No one on my transplant team has seen my 'incisional hernia ' my melon. I had a video appt with my liver Dr last year. I've been told that the surgery to get rid of the melon would be more difficult than the transplant surgery and that if it's not hurting me, leave it alone. I did have an appt with my primary Dr and he saw it and said the same thing.
I have concerns because it is growing, there are small twangs of pain sometimes, but my medical advise is to leave it alone.
I do get labs done every 2 to three months, I'm always stable. I get an MRI every 6 months...no cancer or significant change with my melon.
I belong to the liver/kidney support group at Mayo Jacksonville and get alot of help and information from them.
To be honest, I hate this thing protruding from my body but not sure what to do😒.
Replies to "Hi Rosemary....its amazing how quickly time passes...my journey started in 2014, and here it is two..."
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@kathycaudle, I agree that time does fly by, especially after the wait for a transplant.
When I read that you belong to the liver/kidney support group at Mayo Jacksonville, that makes me think that you live nearby. I guess that I assumed that all transplant patients had annual checkups. But I could be wrong because I have a double organ transplant and that might make a difference. Or perhaps it is the pre-existing conditions or insurance coverage. Anyway, I'm glad that you are being monitored and following up with labs and MRI's. Those will provide the doctor with evidence of what is happening inside of your body. Especially good to hear that the liver is happy!
I would hate something protruding from my body, too. If it is the appearance that bothers you, have you experimented with unfitted tops?
As I learned from my transplant surgeon, all surgery carries risks and also carries benefits. What to do is a big decision, one that will require you and your doctor together. As a patient, a non medical person, I would think that when this bump begins to interfere with your daily living, then is the time to get into a serious discussion. The small twangs of pain that you are feeling could be an indication that you ready to begin a conversation.
What are some of the support group members suggesting?