Liver
Post liver transplant hernias
September 9, 2025
in Liver
Does anyone have any advise or support that they can offer for post liver transplant hernia and repair? I’m scared. But I look like a monster and it really impairs my daily life with pain. I sleep very little and I spend all day compensating for them. I’m 2.5 years post transplant. I’m just terrified. Thanks!!!
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Transplant Patient
I’ve had multiple! When they went in to fix mine basically I had no abdominal wall anymore, it was just holes, and I ended up having my entire abdominal wall replaced.
before that scares you, know my initial surgery was INCREDIBLY traumatic and complex, and this is not the majority of cases. But this does mean I’m well versed in dealing with hernias post liver transplant 😅
honestly my quality of life did a 180 after I got it fixed. I had my surgery in late November 2022, had a really good excuse to lay on the couch and watch Christmas movies all December and was back in action by January. My advice is find a really good surgeon and physiotherapist.
if you don’t have one already, grab an abdominal binder. They really help holding your core together when there’s a hole in there, and help with pain management.
it sounds scary, but I promise you with a good team it isn’t that bad. Intestinal obstructions from untreated hernias are worse (been there too!) if you have any questions, feel free to reach out and I’d love to chat. You don’t have to do this alone!
Thank you for this! I defiantly will reach out once I hear back from the surgeon with his plans. Just terrified to be in more pain and miss more work…and that it is surgery! 🥺. I’m just not ready but I have to be.
Transplant Patient
@kowalskik oh sweet friend, I know. I felt the exact same way. The mental prep I did before going into that surgery was intense.
I will say the pain is different than transplant surgery. For most people they put in a spinal nerve block (I had one too but mine only hit half my body because I metabolize drugs weird) and where the nerve block was there was no pain.
keep us posted! I know it’s nerve wracking but you can do hard things
Hello! I messaged you. I’m experiencing new pains now that I get upon waking up (in the morning or waking up to use the bathroom). Sharp!! They do subside. But, they are a 9.75/10 when they hit. Then, I’m fine. It has happened with and without the binder. Did you experience this? Thank you!!!
Transplant Patient
I had similar sounding pain a lot before my abdominal wall replacement. I haven’t found a lot that helped it other than curling up in a ball and just trying to ride it out.