question for people with OHSU

My surgery is this wed and I have been hanging around the May surgery board and someones surgery was yesterday and they put her under went in and then didn't do the surgery because her liver was to fatty...I'm freaking out now so what is the police of OHSU or Dr Devney? The didn't put my on a liquid diet like lots of people do with other dr's. I have been eating lower fat food trying to stick around 1200 cal so whats the deal? will they open me up if my liver is to fatty? I was under the impression that is what they would do...ok that's enough from me ..thank you anyone that answers

Rebecca, it sounds as if you have been doing the right things to promote a healthy liver. In many cases people have been eating high fat diets so their livers are enlarged, however from what you are describing you have taken the necessary steps to make sure yours is in better health. It is quite rare to open one up and NOT do the procedure, but obviously the surgeon is going to use his best judgement for YOUR safety! Please don't stress about this. Good luck this coming Wednesday. You are in fine hands! Your surgeon is one of the best. Trisha

What a small world Trisha! I have lurked on this board for way over a year, but I don't think I have ever posted. I have enjoyed your stories and can really relate to many things you have said. Back to the small world thing.. (Of course McMinnville is a pretty small town) I bought a new-used car last Friday and as I was signing the papers I looked up at the wall in front of me and your name was there! For a moment I could not think where I knew the name from.....then I remembered. Not really sure why I felt the need to post this.....I just did.

Well dang, then I didn't get to meet you because I'm still on surgery leave from having the TT and BL. I go back tomorrow. You must have met Jennifer then. It used to be that my pre-op picture was on the front wall, but they finally decided to make me get a new one (which I HATE!!) so that the disparity isn't as great. Come back and see me sometime. Yep, that is where I hang out tooooooo many hours of the day when I am working. Smiles, Trisha (aka Pat )

Hi Rebecca, Dr. Deveney did my RNY on April 4. I too was supposed to follow a 1200 calorie a day diet to shrink my liver, but didn't do very well. I only managed to lose 6 lbs. total before surgery. Instead of a 2 hour procedure, mine took 4 hours because my liver was so big. They had trouble getting past it and I came out with 7 incisions instead of 5, but thank goodness they were still able to do it laparascopically. I wish I had tried harder with the diet, because I ended up putting myself at much greater risk by being under anesthesia that long. But, at least he was still able to do it. Don't worry too much-he'll do his best for you and it would have to be a very unusual cir****tance for him to not do your surgery. Take care, Lisa

You are asking us to second guess a medical judgement call. I suspect there is more to this story that you don't know. One thing you might do is to request a liver biopsy prior to surgery. That way, you know before going under what your liver is like. There may not be time in your case but you could postpone your surgery if you wish to know in advance. Fatty liver can cause cirrhosis and liver failure. If the liver appears to be too affected, then safety is an issue. Dr. Deveney is a the head of general surgery at OHSU. Before that he was a liver transplant surgeon. There is no one better. tee

Thank you all for your knowledge I just I am happy to hear I'm going to be in great hands. I'm really looking forward to this and other then this thing I posted about right now I"m not scared although I can't say I wont be in 10 minutes lol. Thank you all again for posting. I know I'm in gods hands and that throw him all things are possible. Rebecca

Hi Rebecca, I had Lap Rny surgery on March 7th with Dr. Deveney. Everything went great for me I had a hard time sticking to the pre-op diet too. I lost a total of 10 lbs before my surgery. I tried to do liquids only the last 2 days before surgery. I was very pleased with everyone at OHSU. The nurses were the best... I Loved how well they treated me, Everything will go great for you too. Don't be nervous!! They are wonderful, and know what they are doing!! Take Care and Good Luck!! Christina

Rebecca - if you have been trying faithfully to stick to the 1200 calorie diet and you're not eating a lot of fatty food, you should be okay. Give it the old college try and limit yourself just prior to surgery and we'll pray that you do okay. Fatty liver is not only caused by overeating -- it is also a symptom of alcoholism and a number of other health issues, so there may have been other things going on with that person, you never know. FWIW, Freddie (my sweetheart) recommends eating very lightly the few days before surgery. He had problems (rather severe) with constipation, etc., just after surgery. If you don't have that much in your system, you will probably fare better. Linda

Thank you Linda, I have been working really hard to stick to 1200..probable been under a lot of the time. I have not had fatty foods and cut out as much sugar as I could. i'm amazed how much crap is in food. I have spent so much time just looking for things without fat in them and my hubby is frustrated when we are standing in the store searching for something and our 2 year old is running crazy LOL. oh well I'm doing the the best I can and Susan said that I"m a "dream patient" LOL we will see right ;) I heard about your surgery date and I understand how you feel but It will be here sooner then you can even believe. I have to admit I don't really think mine is in less then 2 days... Still feels like it will never be here. I always have 1 more day just 1 more day LOL...Hang in there! I'm sure my liver will be great it just freaks me out.. I don't have any health problems that would cause a fatty liver so that's good. Thanks for the support. Rebecca