Couldnt Do Surgery-Liver Size

[TamaraS 235]

So Im confused and apologize in advance, does your liver become fatty faster of your obese? How does a liquid diet of one or two weeks help shrink the liver enough? How can someone be over 300 lbs but have an ok liver am someone possibly 200 does not? Is there not any prepp type tests to check this before being cut open? Now I worry and totally understand your frustration. You can do this!

my nutritionist said that the quick extreme diet and weight loss quickly shrinks the liver. I asked her if I should do the preop diet for a month and a half and she said its not necisary. Eat healthy and lose weight through a healthy balanced diet up until the 2 week post op. How bad your liver is depends on a lot of factors and could be worse in some one with lower weight too. I had a blood test and my dr. told me I had a fatty liver.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

It is kinda funny because most doctors are like this, they won't even chance it if your liver isn't small enough. And yet there are doctors who do not even require a pre-op diet. How they do that I have no idea.

[Goody2shoesmelissa 12]

What a devastating blow! Oh, how I feel for you. I too have fatty liver weighing 228 before surgery. My surgeon required a 30 day liquid diet which consisted of daily: 5 Protein shakes, 2 Protein Bars and one Lean Cuisine, with 1 cup fruit and 2 cups veggies. That is what I was allowed to have per day for 30 days. After that 30 days, I had only lost 4 pounds but my surgeon went ahead with the Laparoscopic procedure 8-22-12. My tissues around my liver had improved and my liver had decreased and he said my surgery went wonderfully. I am now 2 weeks post-op, have lost 30 pounds and I'm feeling great. Finally got moved to Pureed/soft foods today!!! I haven't had any problems at all. I'm so glad I pressed forward. The 30 day diet wasn't easy but SO WORTH IT!!!

I wish you the best of luck!! Don't give up it will be the best thing you ever did for yourself. Just buck up and drive on...you can do it and you won't regret it!!!

God Bless YOU!!!

[SunnyCox 245]

Does your liver become fatty faster of your obese? How does a liquid diet of one or two weeks help shrink the liver enough? How can someone be over 300 lbs but have an ok liver am someone possibly 200 does not? Is there not any prepp type tests to check this before being cut open?

Being obese can cause a fatty build up in your liver. When you digest food in your small intestine, the first place the blood containing the absorbed nutrients flows is to your liver, so your liver gets the first pick of the nutrients.

Fat is deposited in the liver which is related to insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Many obese people have insulin resistance and have fattier livers.

The liver also stores extra sugar/glucose for when your body gets low. Most pre-op diets are low calorie and low carbohydrate. When you go on a low carbohydrate diet, you force the liver to release more of the stored glucose, and as you lose weight from the reduction in calories, you also lose some of the fat from your liver.

If you know what you are feeling for, you can often feel an enlarged liver just under the rib cage on your right side.

[ibehere10 163]

geez, so sorry to hear of your troubles.Makes me sad that you have to go through this. But keep your eye on the prize, being healthy.

I know one of my fears is no losing enough and when I show up on Monday for my surgery they tell me to go home because I have not lost enough to shrink my liver. I have never had high cholesteral or triglycerides so I hope it is not an issue but somethinG I certainly worry about. '

Best wishes and keep fighting the good fight!

[SlevieNicks 9]

I did a 10 day pre op diet but that didn't work I guess...

So he's suggesting I lose 20 lbs...I lost 8 but had gained a few Before pre-op diet.

I am 316 and don't understand how people larger than I am are having the surgery? I would assume their livers would be bigger than mine??

[shanny88 0]

I'm so sorry I can't imagine how you must feel. Don't give up though.

[TamaraS 235]

I did a 10 day pre op diet but that didn't work I guess...

So he's suggesting I lose 20 lbs...I lost 8 but had gained a few Before pre-op diet.

I am 316 and don't understand how people larger than I am are having the surgery? I would assume their livers would be bigger than mine??

It is so strange and I looked at your profile and you are still young, 31 right? I am also 31 about 15 lbs heavier than you. I am so sorry this has happened to you. I really REALLY hope for yourself that you continue on through this journey. my thoughts are with you (((hugs)))

[Ready4success 380]

I did a 10 day pre op diet but that didn't work I guess...

So he's suggesting I lose 20 lbs...I lost 8 but had gained a few Before pre-op diet.

I am 316 and don't understand how people larger than I am are having the surgery? I would assume their livers would be bigger than mine??

It is odd, but I guess not unheard of. Your surgeon has done a lot of bariatrics, I assume? I work as an NP in surgery with a bariatric surgeon, and while many patients have been less than ideal, anatomically wise, we do our best to get it done. My employer and I have never personally closed a patient, without doing the procedure. Your blood work (LFTs) would've been high, which is common in FLD (Fatty Liver Disease). Did he happen to do a liver biopsy while he was in there? It could help with determining why your liver is so large. I hope this doesn't discourage you. This surgery can help you become healthy and active. Please don't give up.

[SlevieNicks 9]

It is odd' date=' but I guess not unheard of. Your surgeon has done a lot of bariatrics, I assume? I work as an NP in surgery with a bariatric surgeon, and while many patients have been less than ideal, anatomically wise, we do our best to get it done. My employer and I have never personally closed a patient, without doing the procedure. Your blood work (LFTs) would've been high, which is common in FLD (Fatty Liver Disease). Did he happen to do a liver biopsy while he was in there? It could help with determining why your liver is so large. I hope this doesn't discourage you. This surgery can help you become healthy and active. Please don't give up.[/quote']

They had my blood work which showed higher cholesterol and triglycerides...I still don't know why they would go in and even try surgery had it not been feasible. Couldn't they palpate my liver size?

I am recovering from surgery that didn't even happen and I'm so sad!

[Ready4success 380]

They had my blood work which showed higher cholesterol and triglycerides...I still don't know why they would go in and even try surgery had it not been feasible. Couldn't they palpate my liver size?

I am recovering from surgery that didn't even happen and I'm so sad!

Yes, you can palpate a large liver, but we have extra cushion. I'm so sorry this happened to you. Please don't give up!

[prettysleeved1 173]

I am 316 and don't understand how people larger than I am are having the surgery? I would assume their livers would be bigger than mine??

Because not everyone who is overweight/obese has the same problems as others normally do.

Apparently, your doctor just has a different set of standards. He may also been trying to prove a point.

[Ready4success 380]

Because not everyone who is overweight/obese has the same problems as others normally do.

Apparently' date=' your doctor just has a different set of standards. He may also been trying to prove a point.[/quote']

I disagree about him proving a point. I can't see anyone putting another person under anesthesia, and insufflating them with CO2, and not completing the surgery just to prove a point. I would like to believe people are kinder than that, and I've worked with some real a**hole surgeons.

[deltadawn817 106]

Sounds to me like you need a better pre op diet. I am surprised you only lost 8 lbs and gained some back. Doesn't sound like a good, fat flushing pre op diet.

[Chimera 644]

It doesnt have to do with one's weight. The pre-op diet which is always high protein/low carbs is specifically to shrink as well as firm up the liver. When the liver is large with fatty liver syndrome - it is also spongy and weak, my surgeon told us prior to surgery that it is so soft and spongy that a retractor can rip it apart if it is lifted - which would be a complication so severe one would not even want to contemplate the consequenses.

The high Protein very low carb pre-op diet works quickly - in 7-10 days remarkable changes occur.

My surgeon said that if he went in laprascopically and saw a fat liver he will either convert to an open surgery (yikes) or sew us back up until we make it smaller. Scared me enough to follow that pre-op diet religiously.

I am so sorry that you could not have your vsg as scheduled, but things could have gone very wrong if your liver was compromised in any way. Drop those carbs to below 20 a day - up the Protein, drink oceans of hydrating non-caloric beverages and your liver will shrink to a tiny little thing very quickly - and that 20 lbs will be history. Best of luck!