Question:
I was diagnosed 2 years ago with a fatty liver (non-alcoholic).

Liver specialist did not think surgery was a good idea. Anyone have this condition and get approved for surgery?    — dreamreba (posted on February 15, 2006)

February 14, 2006
Hi Suzie, Yes, I had been diagnosed with Fatty Liver (non-alcoholic) for at least 3-4 years before I was able to have surgery. This was only a minor issue for my surgeon. He required that I lose at least 20 pounds during the month before my surgery (the more the better) in order to be able to have the surgery. His reason for requiring the pre-surgery weight loss is that when you have a fatty liver (it's larger), it makes it difficult for them to hold up your liver during surgery to get to your stomach. If they are not able to hold up the liver with the "tools" they use, they sometimes have to resort to an open surgery instead of performing the lap. The weight loss immediately prior to suregery helps to shrink the fatty liver. I lost 25 pounds during the month before surgery (yes, it can be done!) and had no problems. =)
   — mylisa

February 15, 2006
I just had laparoscopic RNY 16 days ago. I had a fatty liver and it did not cause any concerns with my surgeon, except that he asked me to lose weight, 20 pounds, prior to surgery to help shrink the liver. The fatty liver should not stop you from being approved.
   — muffin56

February 15, 2006
I have or probably had what was described as a seriously fatty liver. Rather than being a reason for not having surgery, it was the major reason I had lap banding in July last year. I have since lost over 30kg (60+lbs) with my liver now much improved, along with my diabetes, blood pressure etc. You should not have any difficulty with getting your surgery approved, but there will more than likely be a requirement to go on a high protein liquid diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery in order to reduce the liver size.
   — goliver

February 15, 2006
Hi.. I have had elevated liver enzymes for well over a year. My PCP was concerned that I had Hepatitis. She ran a screening and it was fine. I was sent for the CT scan and diagnosed with fatty liver (non-alcoholic). When it became apparent that I needed to have Gastric Bypass, the surgeon was concerned about my elevated liver enzymes. He sent me for an Ultrasound on my gallbladder, (sometimes elevated liver enzymes are due to gallbladder rather than liver). It was negative. Approaching surgery, they were still concerned and sent me for a Hidascan. The other tests check the anatomy and this test checks the physiology. That test was also normal. My surgeon does not require the 20 lb loss pre-surgery, but he does require a 10 day diet. The first 7 days consists of protein meal replacements, water, and then two high protein low carb meals. The last 3 days are liquid only. He states that the liquid only diet helps to shrink the liver to alleviate the problems of "fatty liver". Apparently, many obese people have "fatty liver", it is just not always diagnosed. My surgeon...said my surgeon could not have gone better and my liver caused no problems. I had RNY on 02-06-06. Hope that helps. Tammy Oklahoma
   — Thin2WinNOklahoma

February 15, 2006
My Cancer Doctors requested I have the GB surgery due to my enzynes and a fatty liver and over weight and sent me to see the GB doc... Im in Ky.. on medicaid an was approved first letter....check with your regular doctor ask him to referr you.... Or as some around here in Ky are doing they just go straight to the GB doc and get his oppinion first then go from there.... good luck flo Renda
   — Flo

February 16, 2006
Actually, I googled this information this morning and found quite a few sites with articles about how Gastric Bypass HELPS with the condition... look it up. If you find it in a reputable site, print it and give it to the doctor!
   — [Deactivated Member]