Shrinking Liver Question

nrmanning · 10-30-2008, 02:57 PM

Hello, I understand the reason for shrinking the liver. I actually gained weight from when I first went to the dr so now I have 18 pounds to lose instead of ten so I started a little over a week ago trying to lose instead of waiting until the two weeks before as I was told by my doctor.

So I am doing slimfast or herbalife for breakfast and dinner and eating one meal a day with two snacks. I am doing healthy snacks like yogart, jello, etc. I am slowly moving away from soda and I have already cut my coffee to half/half and when this container runs out will switch to decaf.

I am not perfect and have cheated some but am trying to get used to eating this way. I am also at the gym 3-4 days a week with 30 minutes of cardio and some light weight training.

Doing this, I have lost 3 pounds in about two 1/2 weeks. So my question is, will this shrink my liver if I keep at it or is there something special I should be doing that I am not yet doing? I am a sweetaholic and my therapist told me that if I can make it 15 days straight without sugar, I can "probably" kick the habit for good so that will start on Saturday because I want to eat a little bit of candy tomorrow. Not much because I don't want to gain anymore weight.

Is this the right path? I think so but wanted to get the opinions here since we are all going through it or have gone through it already.

Thanks for all the help!

gentylwind · 10-30-2008, 03:17 PM

The key to shrinking the liver is through depleting it of glycogen. Glycogen is what your body makes and stores there when you consume carbohydrates. This includes sugar, flour, rice, potatoes, peas, corn, basically any starchy or sugary food, including fruit.

The fastest way to shrink the liver is to do Atkins Induction. You can google it and find it easily or just go to Atkins.com. It consists of eating 20 grams of carbs per day, all of which come from leafy greens and vitamin-packed vegetables, up to 4 oz of cheese per day ONLY, and the rest from high protein items such as chicken, fish, beef, eggs, pork (it recommends you skip bacon and sausage as well as processed meats like lunch meat. No more than twice a week on those). If your doctor has not recommended a liquid diet for you, I would suggest you do two weeks of Atkins Induction phase, preferably longer. You will lose weight and your liver will shrink down nicely.

jmegirl · 10-30-2008, 03:24 PM

My doctor has me on a modified Atkins diet for 7 days pre-op. Surgery is coming up on Wednesday - YAY!!

Anyways, he allows me to have fruit and milk (must be full-fat and as low carb as possible). I'm also allowed beans/hummus, which I'm pleased with. Basically, cut out all the complex carbs, which are bread, rice, pasta and potatoes, pretzels, potato chips...you get the idea.

It's not about losing x number of pounds before your surgery, it's just about shrinking your liver. I might only lose 2lbs in the next 5 days, but I'll have abstained from carbs for a week, thus depleting my body of glycogen and shrinking my liver. So don't focus on losing those 18lbs or else you'll drive yourself bonkers!!!

Good luck!!!

dfox3325 · 10-30-2008, 03:50 PM

My surgeon had me on a total liquid diet 10 days prior to surgery. Protein shakes, cream soups, etc.

I dropped a lot of weight right before the surgery.

crystal1260 · 10-30-2008, 04:20 PM

I am on day 11 of my 2 week liquid diet that i was advised to go on by my surgeon. This consist of 3 Atkins advantage shakes, 3 special K2o waters, sugar free fat free Popsicles or jello, and water. That's it and this is what he said I needed to do to shrink my liver.

It is so funny how each doctor has his own specifications.

vballmom · 10-30-2008, 05:22 PM

Did the liquid diet two weeks before surgery and lost eighteen pounds.
Woke up in recovery room and ask my surgeon about my liver. He said it was still big, but I was able to place the band. It is still possible to do the surgery, but it does make it harder. I was so pissed because I stuck to the liquids. Best Wishes

RestlessMonkey · 10-30-2008, 06:20 PM

My liver shrink diet was 2-3 of a certain shake each day, at least 64 oz of water, 3 oz lean chicken fish or poulty each day and green veggies. no butter, condiments, NO SNACKS AT ALL. I lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks, liver still too big, did it another 2 1/2 weeks and 17 more pounds, and op was successful that 2nd time.

Each surgeon has his/her own liver shrink diet. Do what YOUR surgeon says. If you want a jump start, call your surgeon's office and find out what they want you to do. They are all so different; it's best if you comply with your surgeons directions, not anecdotal info from here! :)

nrmanning · 10-30-2008, 06:26 PM

That is very helpful to me all the information you guys have provided. I will go out and get the Isopure since that is the protein shake my dr has told me to drink.

PDG777 · 10-30-2008, 08:19 PM

I went on Optifast for six weeks prior to surgery - four weeks at doctors request.. but I don't mind Optifast... I lost 11Kgs before surgery and surgeon was very pleased as the preparation had been so good. On some weekends I had 1 evening meal of lean meat and salad - no carbohydrates. Hope that helps.