How do I know if my liver is shrunk?

I started out with a BMI of 59.  If  I have a very high BMI do I have to lose more weight to shrink my liver than a smaller person?  Do I have to go through a longer liver shrinking stage than lower BMI people?

How can I know if my liver is shrunk???

Does losing a lot of weight shrink your liver or only staying on liquids shrink your liver?

I'm just confused about this liver shrinking business.

The shrinking of the liver is important for the surgery. While performing any of the WLS procedures the liver has to be lifted so that access to the full stomac canbe gained. smaller liver is less slippery. Less likely for any accident to occur.

Patients with a high BMI like you and myself have more fat deposits so the liver is more slippery. The liquid diet that is low carb high protein helps reduce the fat deposits and the slipperynes of the liver.

Losing weight and exercise are the only ways to reduce your livers size long term. The loss of fat in he liver makes it less swollen.

Hope that helps.

Yes it helps. Thank you very much.

When you have an exam at your doctors office, one of the things they are feeling around for is the size of your liver.  In many (not all) obese patients, the liver is enlarged and can be examined manually by your doctor -- not a precise exam, but  gives them a good idea of what they are dealing with.

One of the reasons any surgeon asks to have you lose 5 - 10% of your weight, is to help shrink the liver.  You having already lost 41 pounds (if I remember correctly) is possibly what your surgeon will consider a sign that you are "ready".  Blood work also helps indicate the health of your liver - liver enzymes, etc.  A well balanced, low caloric, higher protein/lower carbohydrate diet will probably advised.  Most patients are asked to go on either a liquid or modified liquid diet two weeks prior to surgical date, to help reduce the liver - not to "prove" you can lose weight.

In my case, I have been on a modified liquid diet since March, so this has not been a big deal for me.  I actually asked my surgeon if I should go on a full liquid diet, he told me to continue what I have been doing.

Don't sweat it, it isn't a difficult diet to follow - after the third or fourth day, ha ha!  If you fall off the wagon, pick yourself up & get back on!

Brenda  : )~

This is my Doctors 3 week diet b4 surgery
·         Cut meal portions in half. ·         NO starches or simple sugars: No breads, pasta, rice, candy, or other sweets. This includes cereal, bagels, oatmeal, granola bars and anything made of grains. ·         Eat lean proteins: chicken, fish, beef, pork, eggs. ·         Have a fresh fruit or vegetable with every meal. ·         Consume 2-3 servings of dairy per day: low fat milk or low fat yogurt only. ·         Exercise at least five (5) days per week. Increase the intensity and time every week. You may start with a brisk walk or swimming and increase by 10 minutes each week. ·         Take an adult formula multi-vitamin two (2) times per day.

Last week b4 surgery
AM: ·         Protein Drink Supplement ·         1 cup skim milk or container of light yogurt Mid Morning: ·         Fiber Supplement* (5 grams of fiber) Noon: ·         Protein Drink Supplement ·         Fiber Supplement* (5 grams of fiber) ·         1 cup skim milk or container or light yogurt Afternoon: ·         1 cup raw vegetables (this can be a small salad mixed with a fat free vinaigrette dressing) Dinner: ·         Protein Drink Supplement ·         Fiber Supplement* (5 grams of fiber) Evening: ·         Protein Drink Supplement ·         1 cup skim milk or container of light yogurt   *Fiber Supplement= 2-3 teaspoons of Benefiber mixed with 8 oz of clear liquid. PLEASE NOTE: ·         You are only allowed THREE servings of dairy per day. For example: if you mix one of your protein supplements with milk, then you have used one serving of dairy and you are only allowed two more. If you mix three supplements with milk, then you are not allowed to have any more dairy that day. When you have used all of your dairy serving, you may mix your protein powder with water. ·         Be sure to include a complete multi-vitamin twice a day, as well as 100 ounces of free liquid (water, Crystal Light, hot tea, diet iced tea, broth, decaf coffee, Propel water, sugar-free Jell-o, sugar-free popsicles, etc..). Please Note: your fiber and protein supplements count toward your 100 ounces of fluid. The fiber supplement three times a day equals 24 ounces and the protein supplement four times a day equals 32 ounces, so you need to consume an additional 44 ounces of free liquid per day. ·         You can purchase your protein supplement at GNC or the Vitamin Shoppe. It can be any brand as long as it contains pure whey protein isolate, at least 20 to 30 grams of protein per serving, is low fat, and has less than 5 grams of carbohydrates. Please Note: if your protein supplement contains 40 grams or more of protein, you will need to cut the servings in half (i.e. 20 grams per serving). ·         If you are currently taking medication for diabetes, you MUST consult your doctor during this diet because your medications may need to be adjusted or stopped. When you speak with your doctor, tell them you are on a very low carbohydrate liquid diet. You must continue to check your blood sugars throughout the day while you are on the liquid diet.

Kathy, the diet is pretty solid, you can also ask about meal replacement shakes.  I had been so hardcore in my exercise, and diet, my surgeon actually told me he wouldn't require a full liquid (or meal replacement diet) many surgeons require of their patients.

I use Chike (iLikeChike.com), and have for close to two years now (I had my surgery 2 years ago Nov 16), and know I am getting more nutritional bang for my buck.  Two of my five daily meals is Chike -- 180 calories, 1/3 most of my nutritional vitamins/supplements, and 28 grams of protein.

I started trying to eat "post surgical" size portions for a good six months before I got surgery - it really made the transition to next to nothing the weeks after surgery ;)

If you get used to eating a scaled back diet, and STICK WITH IT, you will succeed.  I have had a DIFFICULT time walking the walk, so I am going back to basics!  As you journey further out from surgery, you will fall back into "bad habits".  I sadly do not dump, and yes, I have pushed to see what I can/cannot eat, sigh.

Hang in there, and think long term.

Brenda : )~

It HURTS !! I am on the all liguid diet ... I fell off a few times but only had a yougurt 1 time & a piece of sandwish mean & cheese another time ... Will I be okay ? Surgery is the 28th

I wonder the very same thing.  My BMI started at 66, and I've lost 72 pounds.  My surgery is in 7 days so hopefully my liver has shrunk.  If I'm not too loopy to think about it, I'll ask my surgeon how big it was.

By the way, I'm also in middle of a 2 week liquid diet, but I can have liquified soups as long as they are under 20 carbs a serving.  Didn't find out that wonderful news until day 5.  the diets been no problem since then.  I also have to consume 800-1000 calories and 60 grams of protein a day.  But I don't get that many calories normally.