Hi guys, I hope you are doing well. I have a bit of a random question but want to see what your opinion is. I am very grateful to have received a liver transplant over one year ago now. Due to the nature of my operation I was left (intentionally) with an incisional hernia which I am hoping will be repaired soon. As it is getting closer to this second surgery of course I have plenty of thoughts in my head and one popped out today about muscle tone, gym and six-packing or more 'having a bit of the tone in my core'. I just want to get healthier and hit the gym. This question could be relevant to most of us with a liver transplant. For those of you who received a transplant and are gym-active- do you have to take special care when doing abdominal exercises after recovery period? How long did you avoid gym post transplant? Is it possible to have well trained abdominal muscles after transplant (even though the abdominal muscles were cut due to surgery)? Do you think that regular abdominal muscle gym trainings can cause the hernia to re-occur? I'd be very interested to hear your opinions and experiences. Many thanks 
Six pack after transplant- possible? :) - British Liver Trust
Six pack after transplant- possible? :)
Hi Piza
I did start to do some gym when the 6 months must avoid lifting warning period had passed and then it was either that, or lifting heavy stuff or something, that made my abdominal muscles tear apart. It’s called “divarification of rectus”. It’s not a hernia apparently although one consultant at QEHB did call it that in writing ......so who knows. Whatever it’s called it is not nice at all....Everyone tells me it shouldn’t hurt but it does - a lot - and for about 4 months now. If it isn’t classified as a hernia they won’t operate on the NHS, because it’s stated as being cosmetic! So I’m now waiting for an MRI scan at QEHB to determine the real issue.
Anyway what a convoluted way of saying be careful! After 6 months things should be OK - I never was told the absolute rules - but if you already have a hernia it’s obviously a completely different situation for you. You really need to take advice from your Constant.
Please do be careful 😁👍 and good luck.
Miles
Great advice from Miles. We would suggest to be very cautious and that you discuss your exercise regime with your liver consultant, who is best placed to safely advise you.
Trust1
Of course Constant = Consultant 😀 darn auto predict....
Great this is the type of advice I am after-many thanks My consultant is very optimistic which is great but I don't want the hernia to reoccur
A good friend of mine on this forum (well I hope she’s a good friend ) once told me when I was struggling “SEGA SEGA”:which in Cyprus means Slowly Slowly. I keep telling myself that and I’ll say it to you as well now 😁😁👍👍 SEGA SEGA.
Take care
Miles
Thanks Miles, SEGA, SEGA then (but not too SEGA ;)) SEGA just right.
She is Miles xx
😊
Hubby was referred to a programme they run at the copperbox about 9 months after transplant. He was assessed by a personal trainer first to slowly build back up muscle strength as he lost all muscle while I'll for 3 years prior to transplant. He doesn't do many weights at the moment it's more cardiovascular, as he seems to have this ever moving stomach..
One day it seems to sit high up, the next it's low down, some days looks normal. His liver team told him it could take up to 18 months to settle as during transplant things get pushed to the side which can thin the stomach lining.
He likes he has a one sided 3 pack (liver scar)
What do you mean by three-pack :O?
So he has his transplant scar & some days one side looks like a 3 pack.. His is a Lexus incision
I had my incisional hernia repaired earlier this year. I’ve been swimming between having my transplant and hernia repair and swimming since the repair. I’m just about to start back at the gym but will be taking things VERY slowly, certainly more cardio than weights. My hernia was quite large so have been warned it’s possible for it to return which is the last thing I want.
I’d like to strengthen my core but certainly wouldn’t be aiming at trying to achieve a six pack (I’ve never had one in all my life, I’m not about to try now). Take advice from your team, take things really slowly.
Thank you- I don't want to go for a full six pack but was always quite toned and I love both swimming and pilates so hopefully will be able to come back to this
It is possible to do, although I'm not a great example as my stomach is far from flat! However, there are many examples where transplant recipients have gone on to actively participate in athletic competition of varying sorts. Skiing, running, swimming, cycling, football, basketball, volleyball, the list is almost endless and all need good core strength.
The problem with being post transplant is time. It may take you longer to get to where you want to be. You have to be patient and listen to what your body is telling you. Start slowly and build up gradually. Make sure you get good advice from your own medical team about the right pace to set and probably more importantly the signs you need to look out for to indicate when you need to stop and rest for a day or two. Also make sure you get advice from a qualified coach or trainer to ensure that you use the correct technique in whatever you choose to do. It's ok watching videos on YouTube, but that bit of hands on advice can save you lots of wasted effort or potential injury.
Good luck.
I don't mind longer time I am grateful to be alive, for me the important thing is to know this is possible. Hate restrictions! Many thanks for advice!
I also went home with a surgical hernia because I kept getting infections, it is a drag I agree. The operation to repair presumably with bio mesh is a bit bigger than you might think and may leave you sore for a while so plan nothing in the short term.You may never have stomach muscles again so although will be able to exercise no one will be keen on you working your abdominals IF you have any that is, they don't regrow and may have atrophied. I don't mean to sound gloomy but you may have to concentrate on other parts of your body, I still have obliques so have strengthened my sides,legs and arms , swimming helped me. Don't push too hard too soon.
My muscles look normal when I get up but I get a bulge closer to when I go to bed. I think we will need to see. Did you have a mesh hernia repair? Do you mind if I PM you? I wrote six pack but really I am just planning on healthy 'tone-based' exercise. Thanks so much for all your advice!!!
Hello, the blog entry below is 2 years old now but this one definitively gave me hope as to the athletic activity post-transplant. You might have seen this already but leaving it here just in case
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