Anyone having issues with gaining weight after liver transplant?

@pgruetz I've heard that I should give it a year. And, I am certainly working to be patient. Sometimes, I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired; yet still grateful for this gift.

I've experienced weight gain as well. My liver transplant was June 27, 2025 at Mayo in Jacksonville. Since the transplant I am experiencing terrible cramps in my hands, forearms, legs, and feet. No one seems to know the definitive cause of these but it makes it difficult to walk and I have now employed a cane. I am trying to do some indoor walking since I can rest when I like rather than be stuck outside and unable to go further. Less exercise, coupled with (until very recently) 40 MG of prednisone and insulin injections likely have caused the weight gain. I look forward to getting better and getting this weight back off.

@pgruetz I've heard that I should give it a year. And, I am certainly working to be patient. Sometimes, I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired; yet still grateful for this gift.

@stephenbrown Hi Stephen. I too have had cramps in my hands, legs and feet since my transplant but not nearly as bad as yours. They are there but not bad enough to bring it up to Mayo or local docs. But I think for me it may be do to me no longer having a galbladder due to the transplant .
And resulting from that water / liquids passing through me more quickly and me not staying sufficiently hydrated. Just a guess on my similar issue. Hoping it gets better when your off the prednisone for a while. Best of luck . (--:

@stephenbrown
I didn’t feel remotely good for 2 years, swimming might help just walking in a pool does wonders, my feet have never been the same and the drugs didn’t do anything so I live with it, good luck on your recovery it’s a year at least so be patient

I've experienced weight gain as well. My liver transplant was June 27, 2025 at Mayo in Jacksonville. Since the transplant I am experiencing terrible cramps in my hands, forearms, legs, and feet. No one seems to know the definitive cause of these but it makes it difficult to walk and I have now employed a cane. I am trying to do some indoor walking since I can rest when I like rather than be stuck outside and unable to go further. Less exercise, coupled with (until very recently) 40 MG of prednisone and insulin injections likely have caused the weight gain. I look forward to getting better and getting this weight back off.

I've experienced weight gain as well. My liver transplant was June 27, 2025 at Mayo in Jacksonville. Since the transplant I am experiencing terrible cramps in my hands, forearms, legs, and feet. No one seems to know the definitive cause of these but it makes it difficult to walk and I have now employed a cane. I am trying to do some indoor walking since I can rest when I like rather than be stuck outside and unable to go further. Less exercise, coupled with (until very recently) 40 MG of prednisone and insulin injections likely have caused the weight gain. I look forward to getting better and getting this weight back off.

Hello, my name is Mary and I received a liver transplant in August 2024 at Mayo Scottsdale. My illness came on rather suddenly, and I was extremely ill. I live in Ca and have Kaiser Permente insurance and they contract with the Mayo Clinic. I found out I had end stage liver disease following a fall that lead to a Er visit and then 11 days in ICU with a sodium level of 101. I am very fortunate and thankful to all my medical team members and happy to say, my surgery was very easy with no complications. To this date, and even following a biopsy of my damaged liver, the Dr.’s have no diagnosis of why my liver failed. They called it Cryptogenic. I am doing amazing and feeling well. I am 63, and gaining my strength back was a slow process but I am getting stronger every day. My only issue is weight gain. I did lose a lot of weight prior to my transplant and gained my weight back slowly, until I reached my previous “normal” weight. Since then, I have continued to gain about 4 to5 pounds a month and I am not almost 30 pounds above my average weight. I eat healthy and have followed my dietician advice and am exercising and eating in a calorie deficit as well. I have followed up with my PCP and she has ran thyroid and a few other tests A1C etc, and all are normal. Has anyone else had this experience and if so do you have any suggestions?

Hello, my name is Mary and I received a liver transplant in August 2024 at Mayo Scottsdale. My illness came on rather suddenly, and I was extremely ill. I live in Ca and have Kaiser Permente insurance and they contract with the Mayo Clinic. I found out I had end stage liver disease following a fall that lead to a Er visit and then 11 days in ICU with a sodium level of 101. I am very fortunate and thankful to all my medical team members and happy to say, my surgery was very easy with no complications. To this date, and even following a biopsy of my damaged liver, the Dr.’s have no diagnosis of why my liver failed. They called it Cryptogenic. I am doing amazing and feeling well. I am 63, and gaining my strength back was a slow process but I am getting stronger every day. My only issue is weight gain. I did lose a lot of weight prior to my transplant and gained my weight back slowly, until I reached my previous “normal” weight. Since then, I have continued to gain about 4 to5 pounds a month and I am not almost 30 pounds above my average weight. I eat healthy and have followed my dietician advice and am exercising and eating in a calorie deficit as well. I have followed up with my PCP and she has ran thyroid and a few other tests A1C etc, and all are normal. Has anyone else had this experience and if so do you have any suggestions?

Hello, my name is Mary and I received a liver transplant in August 2024 at Mayo Scottsdale. My illness came on rather suddenly, and I was extremely ill. I live in Ca and have Kaiser Permente insurance and they contract with the Mayo Clinic. I found out I had end stage liver disease following a fall that lead to a Er visit and then 11 days in ICU with a sodium level of 101. I am very fortunate and thankful to all my medical team members and happy to say, my surgery was very easy with no complications. To this date, and even following a biopsy of my damaged liver, the Dr.’s have no diagnosis of why my liver failed. They called it Cryptogenic. I am doing amazing and feeling well. I am 63, and gaining my strength back was a slow process but I am getting stronger every day. My only issue is weight gain. I did lose a lot of weight prior to my transplant and gained my weight back slowly, until I reached my previous “normal” weight. Since then, I have continued to gain about 4 to5 pounds a month and I am not almost 30 pounds above my average weight. I eat healthy and have followed my dietician advice and am exercising and eating in a calorie deficit as well. I have followed up with my PCP and she has ran thyroid and a few other tests A1C etc, and all are normal. Has anyone else had this experience and if so do you have any suggestions?