To get to your liver, your doctor has to cut through some of the muscles in your abdomen. In about 5 in 100 liver donors, these muscles don't heal all the way, and part of the small intestine can bulge out through the gap in the muscles. This bulge under the skin is called a "hernia."

Some hernias may require surgery. If you develop a hernia, your healthcare provider will talk with you about the treatment options that are best for your situation.