Why is ascites coming back after Liver and Kidney transplant?

Posted by aakrati @aakrati, Oct 11 2:57am

My mother-in-law had liver cirrhosis with ascites and underwent a liver and kidney transplant. After the surgery, she developed an incisional hernia and mild to moderate ascites. All her liver and kidney reports are fine, and the ultrasound looks good. Although the transplanted kidney has shrunk, the doctor said it's okay. Has anyone here experienced similar symptoms after a transplant or is there an expert who can explain why ascites is coming back after a liver transplant? Thanks

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Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Oct 11 8:17pm

@aakrati, I want to welcome you to Connect. I think that your mother-in-law should be proud of you for investigating her current ascites episode. As a liver and kidney recipient, I can fully understand your concern. I had ascites prior to my transplant and it went away pretty quickly after the surgery. My transplant team encouraged walking. In fact on day 1 after surgery they helped me to begin and helped me take my first few steps. As I gradually regained my strength and increased my walking distance (laps around the nurses station) it helped my ascite to clear even more.
You have not indicated how long ago your mother-in-law received her transplant, or how soon she had the hernia repair, so this could make a difference in her new/increaed ascites. It is welcome news that the labs and tests are all looking good!
On Connect, we are all patients with our individual experiences and responses to surgery and medications. I have shared my experience as a patient. As for expert medical advice, your mother-in-law is going to get the best information from her own liver transplant team. They are the ones who will be able to tell her if this is a temporary event, or of there needs to be intervention.
- Be Alert for an elevated temperature which could indicate infection which needs to be treated right away.

@aakrati, I think that she needs to talk to her transplant team. Perhaps you could accompany her. Does that sound like something you can do?