Incisional hernia after transplant: Anyone else?

Posted by btwest6 @btwest6, Dec 26, 2020

Would be interested to hear others experience with incisional hernia after liver transplant. Thank you.

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@jackie421blfdgurl

Hi Rosy..thank y for thinking about me during my second crappy trip to the OR!!!!
How r u? How did your ck up go? Mine went well.dr.keeps an eye on kidneys.they don't like
Tacrolimus..oh well ! I hope all members r doing well....still want to get that bus trip going!!u take care...😁

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@jackie421blfdgurl I’ve been on Tacrolimus for nearly 17 years for pancreas transplant. I also have Chronic Kidney Disease stage 4. Tacrolimus is toxic to kidneys. I have biopsy verified evidence of kidney damage due to Tacrolimus.

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I just realized this thread started a few years back and pertained to incisional hernias after transplant. I had a pancreas transplant in 2005. In 2006 I had an enteric conversion surgery (everything was taken apart, put back together and hooked up differently). In 2011 I noticed a small bulge. My doctor diagnosed an incisional hernia but said it was best not to treat unless it changed in size & shape or became uncomfortable. In 2012 I had a bowel obstruction and I got scared that the pain I was experiencing had something to due with the hernia. I ended up having hernia surgery (2012?) and have piece of surgical mesh where the hernia was.

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@cehunt57

@jackie421blfdgurl I’ve been on Tacrolimus for nearly 17 years for pancreas transplant. I also have Chronic Kidney Disease stage 4. Tacrolimus is toxic to kidneys. I have biopsy verified evidence of kidney damage due to Tacrolimus.

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I am so sorry to hear your news. As I always start out..they can put a man on the moon..why the hell do they make drugs that r toxic to our bodies..take a pill for one then take two more
To counteract the first pill what a bunch of bullshit..I pray for u.

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@btwest6

My husband is 10 months post transplant and has an incisional hernia. His local doctor looked at it and said it was appropriate to wait until his 1 year visit to Mayo. He has increasingly had tenderness to touch, and seems to be increasing in size. We were just curious about others experience with symptoms and repair.

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Hello Jackie here..my liver transplant was
November 2020. In June
2021, incisional hernia was discovered right on liver spot. It was uncomfortable. And a
Good buldge. Had the surgery.it was tough since 6 mins ago had the transplant. I was on the drug sirolemus, and a Mercedes liver surgery
Scar. WHO ..the hell knows. The whole experience was a nightmare from transplant..I had some kind of complications and did not wakeup from surgery till 5 days later stayed in ICU for over two weeks...so while that was trying to heal.here comes the hernia surgery .whoopie

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Good morning
I had my liver transplant in October 2020. In April 2021 I noticed a small golf ball sized lump on the right side lower surgical site. My incision is an upside down hockey stick. I contacted my gastroenterologist and she said it was a hernia and that we'll keep an eye on it. After a couple of months it started getting bigger. I then contacted my transplant Dr and he said it might be best to have surgery to decrease the risks of infection. I was referred to a surgeon and waited for a surgery date. Our dear friend COVID-19 again reared it's ugly head, and elective surgeries were put on the back burner. I had my hernia surgery last March 2021, after waiting a year. When the surgeon got in there it turned out my entire incision site had ripped open and I required a complete abdominal wall reconstruction. One year out and I feel amazing. My liver is functioning at 100% and the incision has healed nicely. I now have to watch my weight as my abdominal wall is very thin. Just hang in there. Kermit the frog had a saying "It's hard being 💚 green ", I now say "It's hard being transplanted. I want to wish you well and whoever your God is I wish him to continue to bless you🙏

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Sorry it should have read March 2022.

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I am 1yr 3months post kidney transplant and have a large- 7-8 centimeter incisional hernia. I look like I am pregnant on my right side. I see the surgeon next month. As I eat and drink throughout the day it grows and I can feel my skin pulling apart. My scar has started pulling apart and is growing in width. I believe this hernia occurred shortly after transplant but didn’t show for some reason on the scans. They gave me a support band and told me to wear it. I noticed my side growing and mentioned it a few times to the doctors with no remark from them. My nephrologist saw it and said oh you have a hernia but did not refer me to anyone. My last visit I showed the doctor, because it had grown so much and pain really started up, she scheduled a CT scan that shows a 7-8 centimeter incisional hernia.

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@janeent

I am 1yr 3months post kidney transplant and have a large- 7-8 centimeter incisional hernia. I look like I am pregnant on my right side. I see the surgeon next month. As I eat and drink throughout the day it grows and I can feel my skin pulling apart. My scar has started pulling apart and is growing in width. I believe this hernia occurred shortly after transplant but didn’t show for some reason on the scans. They gave me a support band and told me to wear it. I noticed my side growing and mentioned it a few times to the doctors with no remark from them. My nephrologist saw it and said oh you have a hernia but did not refer me to anyone. My last visit I showed the doctor, because it had grown so much and pain really started up, she scheduled a CT scan that shows a 7-8 centimeter incisional hernia.

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@janeent, that sounds terribly uncomfortable and it must be frustrating to be left wondering about any medical response.
How long ago was this CT performed? Did you have a follow-up conversation with the doctor who ordered the scan?

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@rosemarya

@janeent, that sounds terribly uncomfortable and it must be frustrating to be left wondering about any medical response.
How long ago was this CT performed? Did you have a follow-up conversation with the doctor who ordered the scan?

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The first was in Feb 2022. The recent scan was 2 weeks ago. I see the general surgeons April 13th.

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@janeent

The first was in Feb 2022. The recent scan was 2 weeks ago. I see the general surgeons April 13th.

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@janeent, I hope your appointment goes well next week 🤍

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