Fatty Liver

Deb A · 01-05-2009, 10:43 PM

Hi again. I'm just coming up with all sorts of new questions...here's a comment I've seen a couple times now "First surgery XX-XX-XXXX, no band due to fatty liver" Here's my question. Can't they tell if you have fatty liver BEFORE they get you on the table and get in your abdomen? Isn't there a way to prevent having to go through the surgery twice???

Also, doesn't a pre-op liquid diet do something to shrink your liver to cut down on the risk of fatty liver? If so, why don't all the MDs recommend a pre-op liquid diet "just in case" to decrease the risk of having to go back in later to complete the surgery?

sheilamj1fan · 01-05-2009, 10:51 PM

Those are very good questions! Once my pcp thought I had a fatty liver, but after an ultra sound they really couldn't tell. He said the only way was to go inside and do a biopsy. Needless to day I didn't opt to do that, but when I got banded they did a biopsy and my liver was fine (thanks God). So I guess they can't tell unless they are inside....

Be blessed!

Sheila

RestlessMonkey · 01-05-2009, 11:54 PM

I think you've probably seen that on my signature line and the answer is obviously no, not really! I was given a preop diet (three weeks) to shrink my liver and I assume my surgeon gave me one that long because I was severely obese (405 pounds 5'5") and because of all the test results he had (I didn't quiz him) HOWEVER...because I had read on here about many many people who "cheated" on their MUCH shorter preop diets and had no problems (and I'm sure they were telling the truth and not intending to mislead anyone) I figured I could "get away" with it, too. SO during my 3 weeks I lost 15 pounds but did it "my" way. My liver was still too "thick". Shamed and angry at myself, I did exactly what my surgeon told me for 2 1/2 weeks and lost 17 MORE pounds and got my band that time.

Surgeons don't prescibe such a diet to everyone, I assume (not a doc) because not all people NEED to do one. Furthermore, as you go through these boards, you'll see poster after poster who "cheat". If docs made everyone do 3 weeks preop liver shrink, people would just cheat and get that (dangerous) mentality that it is ok to cheat. (it's really important to follow your docs rules post op, too...while you're healing especially)

So just do what your doctor said and you'll be fine. And people on here who say "i did so and so and got away with it"..I'm sure they did. They are lucky! THey most likely mean well! But do what your doctor said, incase you are one of the ones that will NOT get away with it.

OH and my liver wasn't diseased....just big. So I've said "fatty" but maybe I should just say "too fat". He said it was healthy, just had too much fat stored in it to get it moved out of he way (he tried!). So I didn't have any liver disease...thank goodness!

Deb A · 01-06-2009, 10:29 PM

Thanks for your replies. I went to the dietician and psych today. I asked the dietician about fatty liver and about pre-op liquid diets and all that. She said my MD does not prescribe a liquid diet because he wants the patients to be as healthy nutrition-wise as they can be before they undergo surgery so they can heal the best the can since they'll be on a restricted diet after the surgery. Also, he has NEVER not banded because of fatty liver on anyone he's ever done, and he's been doing this for many years and on many patients. I guess it is dependent on the MD. Plus, the liquid phase for this program is only 2 weeks, and after that you're on soft diet.

RestlessMonkey · 01-06-2009, 10:35 PM

The large liver thing does happen, because it did to me, and I know of 2-3 others. BUT it is rare, as your surgeon can attest. So just do what he tells you to and you will be fine!
I was lucky, as I said, that mine was large but not diseased.

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