fatty infiltration or fatty liver?

Hello,
Does anyone have fatty liver disease or fatty infiltrations of their liver?  I was told this today, and I have to go into my PCP to discuss it.  Is this going to hold up my surgery?  Has anyone experienced this and it was reversed after surgery? I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

Hi I have fatty liver decase too.

The surgeon told me it would get better after the surgery. Because it is caused by excess fat and fat tumors on your liver.

What causes fatty liver?

Eating excess calories causes fat to build up in the liver. When the liver does not process and break down fats as it normally should, too much fat will accumulate. People tend to develop fatty liver if they have certain other conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, or high triglycerides. Alcohol abuse, rapid weight loss and malnutrition may also lead to fatty liver. However, some people develop fatty liver even if they have none of these conditions – so everyone should know about it.

How is fatty liver diagnosed?

Your doctor may see something unusual in your blood test or notice that your liver is slightly enlarged during a routine checkup. These could be signs of a fatty liver. To make sure you don’t have another liver disease, your doctor may ask for more blood tests, an ultrasound, a CT scan or an MRI. If other diseases are ruled out, you may be diagnosed with NASH. The only way to know for sure is to get a liver biopsy. Your doctor will remove a sample of liver tissue with a needle and check it under a microscope.

 

Fatty liver is currently the focus of intense research to provide us with better tools for treatment in the future. Scientists are studying whether various medications can help reduce the inflammation on your liver, including new diabetes medications that may help you even if you don’t have diabetes.

What new treatments for fatty liver are being studied?

 

How is fatty liver treated?

There are no medical or surgical treatments for fatty liver, but there are some steps you can take that may help prevent or reverse some of the damage. In general, if you have fatty liver, and in particular if you have NASH, you should:

• Lose weight – safely! That usually means losing no more than one or two pounds a week.
• Lower your triglycerides through diet, medication or both
• Avoid alcohol
• Control your diabetes, if you have it
• Eat a balanced, healthy diet
• Increase your physical activity
• Get regular checkups from a doctor who specializes in liver care

If I’ve been diagnosed with fatty liver, what questions should I ask my doctor?

• “What is the likely cause of my fatty liver?"
• “Do I have NASH? If not, how likely am I to develop NASH?"
• “Do I have cirrhosis? If not, how likely am I to develop cirrhosis?"
• “Do I need to lose weight? How can I do so safely?"
• “Should I be taking any medication to control my triglyceride levels?"
• “What medications or other substances should I avoid to protect my liver?"

Who is at risk for fatty liver?

Most (but not all) fatty liver patients are middle-aged and overweight. The risk factors most commonly linked to fatty liver disease are:

• Overweight (body mass index of 25-30)
• Obesity (body mass index above 30)
• Diabetes
• Elevated triglyceride levels

What is the best way to prevent fatty liver?

The best way to reduce your risk of developing fatty liver is to maintain a healthy weight and normal triglyceride levels. You should also avoid excess alcohol and other substances that could harm your liver.

I had fatty liver disease for years before surgery and like everything else I had pre op.....hpb, diabetes.... it disappeared after surgery.

Good luck,

Edie

Thanks so much for the information! You both are so helpful. :)  I finally had my consultation on Wednesday and I am underway....I just have to get all of stuff submitted to my Insurance, then I'm waiting for a date!  I'm soo happy. :) 
~Kristina

Also, just an FYI... 
It may get worse before it gets better but losing weight is the best way to fix this and there is pretty much nothing else that you'd need to do besides lose the weight.  Your surgeon or PCP may suggest that you have blood tests more often than whatever your surgeon's standard protocol for labs.  My PCP wants to draw blood at least monthly to observe the changes.  My surgeon does a liver biopsy during surgery so that is how I became aware of my issue but it is very common with folks who are obese. 

Another note, this is also part of why you're told to lay off the alcohol for at least the first year post-op.  Alcohol is very taxing on the liver and yours, like mine, is already working super hard.  

Good luck!