Shrink liver before WLS

What are the best ways to help shrink the liver before surgery? I'm scheduled for a LAP RNY and hope they don't have to convert to an open because my liver is too big. My surgery is hopfully within the next month or so. Thanks for all the help!!

Hi Bill, I would say lose as much weight as you can between now and surgery...my dr required me to lose before he would do the surgery.  Good luck and keep us updated on your date when you get it...Lots of water helps!   Hugs, Betsy

Hi Bill!! My doc had me go on a very low carbohydrate diet for the last 10 days before surgery.  I had to keep a log of them (I recommend logging using Fitday.com - it's free and fairly easy to use as it computes everything for you.  You can input all your info for foods that aren't in the database and it stores it for YOU forever.  Very nice.)  Anyway, it had to be 20g or less of carbs per day.  I know some doctors have their patients do a liquid diet for 1-2 weeks prior to surgery to shrink the liver  also.  I'm sure your surgeon will give you specifics on what he wants you to do when you get your surgery date.   Best of luck!!!  Keep us posted on everything!!

Hi Bill, The best way to get your liver to be smaller before surger is to lose weight on a low fat diet and drink as much water as you can drink so you do not become dehydrated either..... If your liver is too big they can't see what they are doing and may accidently nick it. So the more weight you lose before surgery the less fatty your liver will be. However I had Open RNY as that is all my surgeon did at the time - and it is not bad and I recovered well - so if you have to convert to open, it is not a big deal - honestly...... Usually you will be told what they expect you to do so you are not guessing. Jackie

Hi ya Bill, I had a fatty liver and all Dr. Mann at Portsmouth had me do was a 4 day liquid diet. I had lap RNY not open.  Did you get your colonoscopy? You will be a loser soon!

Thanks all for all the suggestions. I'll work on doing more liquids and less carbs.  My pre-op appointment is on the 15th (Nov). Jen R:The colonoscopy went well.. I don't remember a thing. Very smooth and the nurses and techs at Portsmouth are great.

Your getting close!!!! Good luck my friend! Brandi~.... Im following just behind you!

I woke up in the middle of my colonoscopy to see my colon on tv.  That was not a pleasant feeling having them pinching me.  Doc was so mad!!!  She couldn't give me any more sedative and was PO'd that I woke up.  Had that done at NAS Jax a couple yrs ago. Wow your appointment is coming up soon. Way to go on the 10lbs lost so far!!