liver I understand y they want our liver to shrink b/f surgery

[ArnoldS 46]

I went to youtube and watched some videos of different doctors performing the operation.

That is awesome. I highly recommend it.

I understand why they want our liver to shrink w these ways of eating that we're doing. They want our liver "floppy" b/c they have to lift it up to cut one portion of the stomach. It looks like the liver covers part of the stomach that they need to get to.

[Catherine707 253]

Yes anatomically most people have the left lobe of the liver superior (lying above) the stomach. The more "giving" and flexible the liver the easier it is to get to the stomach. Obesity (plus diabetes, high blood lipids, and cirrhosis) lead to a "fatty" liver where the individual liver cells are swollen with glucogen. A low carb diet uses up the stores of glucogen and helps clear out the fatty deposits.

[chefcoll 53]

" A low carb diet uses up the stores of glucogen and helps clear out the fatty deposits. "

Catherine707 do you know how long this takes?

[Tiny One 223]

Doctor told me they want it to shrink so it would be easier to move out the way during the procedure. Makes sense.

[ArnoldS 46]

I went to youtube and watched 4 different doctors do this procedure. It was awesome to see. They show the liver and how they lift it out of the way. You've all got to see this. It's exciting.

[Catherine707 253]

" A low carb diet uses up the stores of glucogen and helps clear out the fatty deposits. "

Catherine707 do you know how long this takes?

My best guess would be a week for someone without siginificat Fatty Liver deposits, hence the reason most surgeons require a liquid diet for a week prior to surgery. If you have a higher BMI or documented more fatty liver deposits the doctor may request a 2 or more week liquid diet.

I would ask my surgeon about this if you are concerned and follow their recommendations!

[Recycled 2,182]

I went to youtube and watched some videos of different doctors performing the operation.

That is awesome. I highly recommend it.

I understand why they want our liver to shrink w these ways of eating that we're doing. They want our liver "floppy" b/c they have to lift it up to cut one portion of the stomach. It looks like the liver covers part of the stomach that they need to get to.

I went to youtube and watched 4 different doctors do this procedure. It was awesome to see. They show the liver and how they lift it out of the way. You've all got to see this. It's exciting.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my....!!!! ..............

[ArnoldS 46]

lol @ recycled. lol

[M2G 1,836]

Not every surgeon requires a pre-op liver-shrinking diet. My surgeon doesn't do this for anyone, regardless of BMI, etc. He has a special tool that holds the liver out of the way during surgery. Also I think he likes to tell his patients that he thinks pre-op dieting is "mean" lol!