Did you have a hernia repair after liver transplant?

Posted by kimimarc8899 @kimimarc8899, Sep 22 5:21am

Hello,

I am 19 months post-liver transplant. I have been feeling fantastic; however a hiatal hernia was discovered during a recent CT Scan. It doesn’t affect me, but I have heard stories about people who didn’t get theirs fixed and suffered horrible (painful) consequences months or years later.

Has anyone had experience with this? I have an appointment with a surgeon at Mayo in Phoenix next month, but also wanted to hear from others who have had the same issue.

Thanks!☺️

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

bogietopar | @bogietopar | Sep 23 6:42am

I had a small hernia after my liver transplant. I then had a large hernia a few months later. Again, it was fixed with a mesh but a couple of months later it broke through on the right side. It causes me no problems so we have decided not to go through the surgery again. This has now been two years and I wear a brace when doing activities such as golf. Tom

pgruetz | @pgruetz | Sep 23 9:47am

I had a hernia a year after my transplant and it took 8 months to get surgery which my mesh is 8x10 across my whole surgical scar it was extremely painful for along time and I still feel the original hernia pain but I’m living with it and not lifting anything heavy I’m now over 3 1/2 years post liver transplant and swim almost every day

jimb43581921 | @jimb43581921 | Sep 25 7:05am

I had a 5.5 hour surgery on July 9th 2026 to fix multiple hernias across my entire Chevron incision. It seems I was fortunate to have very little pain afterwards. The doctor installed mesh across the entire length of my incision. She cleared me to start cardio and upper body lifting at 50% of my max 2 weeks after the procedure. Today, the only thing I feel is tightness at the end of the incision on my right side where the mesh is anchored under my rib cage. My digestion has improved tremendously and my stomach looks and feels 1000 times better. I'm back to walking 35-40 miles per week, but I won't start running or ramp up my upper body lifting until 6 months. Light lower body lifting will be reintroduced at 8 months. At 26 months post liver transplant, life is really good!

ltindy22325 | @ltindy22325 | Sep 28 12:50pm

A hiatal hernia is different from what the other responses are referring to. Theirs are incisional from the transplant scar itself, whereas yours is internal. Most doctors don't do anything about them if it's not bothering you, so you'll just have to talk to your doctors. A lot of people have them and don't even know.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 29 7:51pm

@kimimarc8899, here are other discussions about hernia following liver transplant.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/
I read your message like @ltindy22325 did. It sounds like you have a hiatal hernia that may not be related to transplant.

According to Mayo Clinic:
"Most people with a hiatal hernia don't experience any symptoms and won't need treatment. If you experience symptoms, such as frequent heartburn and acid reflux, you may need medicine or surgery." Read more here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiatal-hernia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373385

Have you started a list of questions for when you meet with the doctor?