Fatty Liver Disease and LBS

[mommakatx2 0]

I recently learned that I have fatty infiltration of my liver. I've already had one CT scan, and I have to have another one on Tuesday to evaulate the damage.

What I've read about FLD states that it is inadvisable to lose weight quickly, as this can actually make the condition worse. WLS is contraindicated for this reason.

Have any of you had experience with this? I'm afraid that I will not be able to get the surgery done now because of this. I am not surprised that I have a fatty liver, as this is a common occurrence in the obese population, but I am worried it will affect my chances of having this surgery.

Anyone with experience, please help!

[Beachcomber3 0]

I was diagnosed with a fatty liver so I was petrified the surgery would be effected. I was on a 1000 pre-op diet and had my surgery on Monday. After my surgery, they told me that my liver was small and healthy. The doctor had no problem putting the band on. Boy, was I relieved!!!

[Jachut 487]

Nearly everyone who is obese has a fatty liver. Weight loss with a lapband is not really meant to be super duper fast, 1 to 2lb a week is considered good. Although it can be pretty fast at first.

And with regard to the fast weight loss pre surgery on the Optifast diet, well that's the lesser of two evils - lose weight and quickly or have open surgery or non at all kind of thing. Because if they cant get past your liver to do the surgery those are your two options.

[Beachcomber3 0]

I was told that if my liver was too big, the surgery would be stopped. Thank goodness, my liver was small. In fact, I believe that was the first question I had in recovery, " Where they able to do the surgery?"

I didn't have the Optifast diet. I was put on a 1000 calorie diet, which included 6 oz. of Protein, a limited amount of veggies, fruits and starches. I was able to lose almost 10 lbs on it during the 2 week pre-op period. It is amazing how different our experiences are. I have friends that were on a modified Atkins plan. Thank goodness, we are all on the road to a successful journey. Since Monday I am down another 6.5 lbs! I am happy.

[HarleyNana 10]

I had a fatty liver too, which, hopefully since banding it's not as fatty

[vballmom 0]

Mommaka, I lost 16 pounds pre-surgery to shrink my liver. The first question I ask after surgery was how was my liver and the doctor said it was fatty but I was able to do the surgery. I was so pissed bec I worked so hard on the pre-op diet to shrink it. Best wishes

[JaxBandster 11]

I had to have a liver biopsy done about six years ago due to having Hep C. When they came back with the results, the only thing wrong with my liver was that it was fatty. (Fortunately) Consequently, when my doctor told me that I had to follow a low carb diet (30 gms a day) for at least three weeks prior and then Clear Liquids for two days prior, I made sure I followed it to the T. I am happy to say that I have a picture of my liver (have one of my band and my hiatal hernia as well) and it is text book looking. Nice, red and small!

[mommakatx2 0]

Thank you SO much for your replies. I figured it wasn't a big deal, and I will know from my CT scan tomorrow how big my liver is. I was just worried that it would hinder my surgery somehow. You know...before you actually GET banded, you're a nervous wreck about all the reasons why it WON'T happen

[PATCHELTON 0]

I am waiting for insurance approval. When I had my consultation with the surgeon (Dr. Singh, St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore) I told him my PCP was concerned because my liver enzymes were frequently elevated on my blood test for cholesterol. He told me that could indicate fatty liver disease moreso than a reaction to cholesterol medicine, and fatty liver disease can become non-alcoholic cirrhosis. He didn't say the surgery would be cancelled, just that while doing it he would take a sample for a liver biopsy to find out. Also once I get a date I have to do liquids 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after banding. The before is to help shrink the liver and make the surgery easier.

Don't know if anyone has tried this or heard about it, but in the current issure of Prevention Magazine there is a short article about milk thistle as a supplement and its main ingredient silymarin. Says it can detoxify the liver and help fatty liver disease, which (I didn't know this) can lead to diabetes. They suggest 200 to 500mg of silymarin a day and note that not all brands have enough. Trader Darwin Milk Thistle at Trader Joes and Natures Way Thisilyn are two that do. I plan to tell the surgeon's office once I am scheduled because they will be adjusting my meds anyway. I have pretty much every co-morbidity except diabetes. From what I read you need to buy what has been standardized to 80% silymarin, which means my 250mg milk thistle capsule has 200mg of silymarin in it and it states that on the bottle. I got the Trader Darwin, about $10 for 100 capsules. Prevention recommends 200-500 daily so I take one twice a day which gives me 400mg. And they said to be sure and tell your doctor. I figure anything that makes my liver a better surgical risk. The Nature's Way brand is more expensive but is availble at places like the Vitamin Shoppe and online.

Has anyone tried this? I would love to hear about some experiences. My sister had RNY about 2 years ago and her PCP actually put her on milk thistle (though she doesn't remember why, and plans to ask him).

[Dootson 0]

Don’t worry about fatty infiltration of the liver, is totally reversible. Once you loose weight the fat deposits all over your body will be reduced… including the liver.