Question:
Has anyone had a liver biopsy during surgery?
I was snooping and reading my doctors orders for test on the morning of my weight loss surgery [1/21/08] and he plans to fix a hiatal hernia and do a liver biopsy while he is at it. Has anyone else had this done? — bettyjac5 (posted on December 26, 2007)
December 26, 2007
I didn't have a biopsy done, but i did find out after my band was placed
that I had a hernia that they fixed while they were in there. I had really
bad heartburn, constant. After the surgery in May, I have not had one bout
with it. Amazing!
— Tamjpjb
December 26, 2007
My surgeon does a liver biopsy on just about everyone that he performs
surgery on. He s just checing to make sure that the liver is normal so if
anythig happens after surgery that is one less thing to consider. It
doesn't hurt, your are still under and you will neer even realize it was
done.
— KittyKatt
December 26, 2007
Yep, I had a liver biopsy, I have a diseased fatty liver. :( most
overweight people do :( but with the weight coming off, also means that the
liver will be better :)
God bless you
Paula
— japaad
December 26, 2007
My surgeon also does one on most of his patients. I actaully had 2 done
because I decided to participate in a research project he was doing and he
needed an extra sample. They paid me for it so I was like, heck yeah might
as well. :) It's no big deal really and you won't ever even know.
— juliebelle0402
December 26, 2007
yup -- had a liver biopsy while my surgeon did my RNY -- it's no big deal
-- a little itty bitty sliver of your cells -- infact when you go in for a
regular liver biopsy -- not associated with surgery -- they do it on an
outpatient basis while you are awake -- they just numb your side and stick
the needle in and take 3 slices of your liver -- slap a band aid on where
the needle went in and send you home -- it's amazing how fast it is
— RCassety
December 26, 2007
this is not unnusual. I know my surgeon orders a battery of tests prior to
surgery. If you galbaladder is bad or your appendix appears like it may
rupture, he takes them out during surgery. He's just trying to remove any
additional health issues you may have after surgery.
— Dave Chambers
December 27, 2007
I did not have a liver bx but did discuss this with my surgeon (that he
WOULD do one if ANYthing looked suspicious). I had colon cancer at age 35.
— MAG
December 27, 2007
Hi,
My doctor took out my gall bladder, and the other one took a biopsy of my
breast when I had breast reduction. They are, in my opinion, doing a good
thing for you. The liver biopsy is a good idea, in my opinion. Ask him
about these things. He should tell you what he is going to do, though.
Pam at www.pamfit.com
Good Luck!
— Pam Fottrell
December 27, 2007
My doctor did a liver bx on me during my RNY. She also said if there was a
gall bladder issue after my preop testing, she would remove it as well.
You will never know it was done and the hernia repair will be a blessing.
Good luck!
— Debbi S.
December 27, 2007
That is why I love this site! I receive so much support that it would be
very hard not to. Thank each and every one of you members for your support
and encouragement. I feel so much better. Lots of
love
— bettyjac5
December 27, 2007
Betty you need to know why he is messing with your liver. You should be
FULLY AWARE of any surgery they are doing on you and why. It is fine if he
wants to be sure your liver is healthy, but there better be a reason to
mess with your liver and let you know those reasons before they mess with
you! Please have a full conversation with your surgeon and find out what
is going on and why. I did have my liver "scoped" once because
they thought I had a fatty liver (which amazingly can be caused by lack of
nutrition as well as obesity), but when I had a scope for something else,
they looked at my liver and decided I did not need a biopsy. I was fully
aware of their thoughts though and their actions before they were taken.
Don't let any doctor mess with you (unless it is an emergency) without your
prior consent. Take care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
December 27, 2007
I went to several different seminars prior to choosing my surgeon. One
surgeon said he did a biopsy of everyone's liver which didn't sound right.
He also put filters in all patients. I thought it did not sound right.
either. I callled my insurance company and they told me that if either
procedure was not medicaly indicated that the insurance would not pay. I
just thought you might wantt to check with your insurance company. I
choose Dr. Houston at Centennial in Nashville TN. He said he only wold do
a biopsy if something looked suspicious. I chose the right surgeon for
sure and I couldn't have found a better surgeon or Bariatric program
anywhere.
— t_roxus
December 28, 2007
That is exactly the surgery I had. In my surgeons office I was told that
he routeinly does the liver biopsy. When I went for my post op visit he
told me the finding and that it was a very good thing to have had the
surgery when I did... I have/had a "fatty liver" as though it
shouldn't match everything thing else on my body, right? Anyhow, he went
on to say that with good diet (wt loss) and exercise it can sorta
"self-correct" the problem, that there really isn't anything that
could be done (at this level) medically. So like many other conditions
that are corrected with successful WLS, this can be added to the list.
Jordi
— PuddinCat
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