High liver enzymes, "cirrhotic appearing liver"

I had my sleeve sx on May 20, 2014.  9 days after surgery the bariatric doc called and said my liver biopsy done during surgery showed steatoheptitis and fatty liver and to c a liver doc.  So about 3 weeks later i c liver doc who said my bariatric surgeon said i had a "cirrhotic appearing liver" during my surgery (bariatric doc didn't bother to tell me this himself)...now I really freaked.  Can't eat/sleep.  So had liver ultrasound which showed only fatty liver, no cirrhosis, also my liver biospy never mention cirrhosis. Tested for viral and genetic markers for hepatitis...all ok so far.  They are having my liver biospy RE-READ to make sure no cirrhosis and to stage level of liver scarring???  I noticed my liver enzymes are both much high after the surgery as well which is also stressing me out!!  I have read on here many ppl have even high enzymes after surgery from rapid weight loss, so i feel a little better.  Just scary. this surgery was supposed to be an exciting time but has truly been the worst time of my life. Hoping the re-read on the biopsy comes back with no cirrhosis.  I used to drink MODERATELY but not now or ever again!!!  If there's anyone who's in a similar situation please give advice. thanks

I don't believe for a second that you have a "cirrhotic liver".  It takes years and years to develop that level of liver disease and it always progresses along a very linear path of fatty liver > hepatatic liver (with lots of symptoms) > cirrhosis.  

Now, having said that - a woman's liver is a LOT more sensitive than a man's liver.  Women will develop cirrhosis MUCH faster than men and will die from liver disease MUCH faster than a man.  We really are delicate flowers when it comes to our livers    Being obese does a number on the liver and drinking doesn't help it.  So even though you drank moderately it didn't do your liver any favors.  

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that those liver enzymes come down really fast and the biopsy comes back with no cirrhosis.  Let us know how it goes!  

I am living with cirrhosis of the liver which was diagnosed after an open hysterectomy last year - until that point, I had no indication through blood work etc. that there was a problem. I too was a moderate drinker and the liver disease came as a huge shock. It made me gravely ill, to the point of numerous hospital stays totalling months in the hospital, until we were finally able to get it under control with proper meds.

Take good care of your liver - eat well, cut out salt (it makes our bodies retain fluids that the liver would ordinarily filter out), avoid alcohol, drink water to keep things moving. Get blood work done regularly to monitor levels. Hopefully this will be the end of the problem for you - I'd do just about anything to be able to go back and "do over".

Best,

Karen

Elevated liver enzymes are very common during the rapid weight loss after surgery - it usually rights itself after about a year.   (happened to me too)  

Can't comment on the other stuff, but the liver is a very good organ for regeneration of cells, and so a year of good living should help enormously!  

Hi 

I think consulting with a liver specialist is the best bet.  There are some autoimmune conditions that cause liver scarring, like "Primary Billiary Cirrhosis", so drinking, drugs, viruses are not the only reasons a person can have liver disease. A liver specialist will run multiple lab tests specific to liver conditions and is in better positions to determine the cause for you.  I have an autoimmune liver disease myself so I learned from my experience. 

Hope this helps,

As a person who has liver disease I can tell you it does not just pop up. Deep breath I have had liver disease for over 15 years and I am fully functioning the doctors say you can develop a fatty liver after the surgery but it goes away. Your liver is the only organ that regenerates so it heals and reforms. My advice is if you would like a more detailed note to where your liver actually is make an appointment with a gastroenterologist. They will be able to break down what everything means and track it if its more than just your body reacting to the sudden change.