Fatty Liver and enlarged spleen

Has anyone that had surgery dealt with this?? I also am having surgery Sept 26th and have not heard if he wants me on aliquid diet before. I see on the board a lot have to. Just wondering ??? Pam

Hi Pam, I had a fatty liver. I think most of us did pre-surgery. It's part of being obese..apparently the fat deposits there. From what my surgeon told me the pre-op weight loss helps to shrink the liver. It's hard to do the surgery because a big liver gets in the way. Everyone's surgeon is different, mine wanted me to try and lose 10% before surgery. I would definitely call and ask, any amount you can lose helps. I was only able to lose 7lbs before surgery and I was totally stressing about it. Some people gain before surgery so it can go both ways. I just know they say it is better to try to lose some beforehand. I'm not sure about the spleen but I'd ask about it when I called about the pre-op weight loss requirement. Good Luck and Congratulations on your surgery date. Jamie

I didn't find out about the fatty liver until after I had surgery and they told me I had one. My surgeon said that it's not untypical and that with weight loss it should become less fatty. As for the liquid diet, I only had to do that for a day before surgery but I too have read on the boards that many people have to do more. September 26 probably feels so far away, but it will be here before you know it! I'll keep you in my prayers.

My surgeon required a 2 week pre-op liquid diet to help reduce the liver size. During surgery they did a liver biopsy and I have a fatty liver also. My gastro Doc says too much fat in the liver can turn toxic, and luckily the liver is the one organ in your body that will heal itself. I had to do a bunch of blood tests Friday because of my biopsy results. Janet

I had a fatty liver--most SMOs do. I've never heard of one that didn't. My surgeon required 1,000 calorie/day diet for 30 days prior to my surgery. Surgeons typically want you to lose weight before surgery because, especially in a laproscopic proceedure, the stomach is underneath the liver and if you can shrink your liver somewhat, it makes it easier for the surgeon to get to everything. It's up to your surgeon as to weather or not he'll require a pre-surgical diet. Do whatever he says! It is sooo worth the hassle! *hugsnluv* Phyl

Phyllis, I didn't have a fatty liver. Even at 384 lbs. I think it is because for the last 6 months before my surgery I was eating a diet of only superfoods. I didn't lose much weight (20 lbs) but, I think it helped clean out my system. Lori 384/238/199