Milk Thistle 4 Shrinking liver pre-op?

Did any of you use Milk Thistle and if so, does it really help for the 2 weeks pre-op among liquid diet? Ellie

Ellie I have never heard of this before.................... sorry Hugs Kristen

Hi Ellie -

Wow!!  April 9 is right around the corner, I'm sure you're getting excited and nervous!!  I've never heard of Milk Thistle - did your doctor suggest it?  If not, I would be really care, especially since you're so close to surgery, about taking any herbal or homeopathic substances.  If you haven't already, maybe give your doctor a call and ask. 

It's my understanding that any type of pre-op diet/weight loss serves to help shrink the liver, but again, there's no M.D. behind my name!!!  Sorry!!!

Good luck and keep us posted!

Tia

Tia and Kristen, Thanks for the reply, I just heard this from the Homeopatic Dr. who is the owner of my neighborhood VitaminShoppe, I am just wondering since I have never heard it myself.  How was your livers when you all had the surgery?  As for surgery date, I am still in shock even though I have been up and down since August. It is such a strange feeling, I thought I would be screaming happy! Don't get me wrong I am over joyed that I am finally here, just the fact hasn't sunk in yet. Ofcourse my only worry through all this is what if I don't wake up and leave my two wonderful kids and poor hubby alone. That is my only only concern as of now. But thank you for all the encouragement Ellie

I made a point of cutting the carbs 2 weeks prior to surgery (I didn't eat any rice, bread or pasta but I pretty much ate anything else I wanted), since my Dr. told me that would help to shrink the liver. The amazing part is in those 2 weeks I lost 9 lbs. When I woke up from surgery, the 1st thing I asked Dr. Moein was "How did my liver look?" . He laughed and said it look good!

Ellie - Honestly, I don't know, but I have to assume that had there been an issue with my liver, my surgeon and pcp, both of whom had ordered and reviewed all of my bloodwork prior, would've addressed it.  So I'm guessing it was fine. Believe me, it's perfectly normal for your emotions to be all over the place, we all go through that, too! You wouldn't be human if you didn't play, "What if..." but try not to play it TOO much, you'll only drive yourself crazy and may upset your kids.  I'm not sure the ages of your kids, but maybe if they're old enough to understand, you can talk to them and help prepare them for your surgery.  Tell them you're depending on them to take care of Daddy while you're in the hospital, and that you're counting on them to walk with you when you get home.  It'll all work out, I promise and you'll be a loser before you know it!!! Hang in there! Tia

All of my blood work was normal pre-surgery and I got a big surprise when Dr. Singh opened me up!  I was found to have advanced cirrohsis of the liver and nothing showed on any of the blood work.  Needless to say, I didn't get the band and am currently waiting for insurance approval on the sleeve.

I was nervous and had all of the "What if..." things going thru my mind too.  But, I had faith in Dr. Singh and his team and had faith in myself that I was making the right decision for me.  Couple that with faith in the Man above and I knew I would be okay. Good luck. Deb