Thought I'd give an update since I posted on this back when I was having trouble confirming the hernia diagnosis. After seeing 2 different surgeons at my transplant center (2 hours away) the second one confirmed what 3 doctors in my home town said... that I have an incisional hernia from my nephrectomy. Fortunately, even 17 months after my donation, the Transplant Center is covering this (through my recipient's insurance, I presume), and I'm having outpatient surgery tomorrow. So the good part is I'm getting the care I need and not having any co-pays or deductibles come out of my pocket.
I did contact the Hospital Ombudsmen to find out why surgeon #1 at the transplant center insisted I did not have a hernia which 4 other doctors said was very apparent. I didn't get very far in that complaint because he said the care he provided was appropriate given the symptoms. His section chief reviews all patient complaints every month, I'm told, but I'm not holding out that I'll be contacted again.
I'm sure the hernia repair will be a piece of cake tomorrow compared to the donation surgery!