Question:
Enlarged Liver?

I went in for bypass surgery but when I came to I was told that they couldn't perform the surgery because of an enlarged liver. Since then I've lost 30 pounds and the tech who did my ultrasound today said my liver had only reduced 1 cm. Will this be enough for me to have surgery. I'm very anxious!    — KH08VancouverWA (posted on June 12, 2008)

June 12, 2008
Surgeons who do LAP RNY want the liver as small as possible, hence the need for dieting just prior to surgery to reduce fatty livers. Your surgeon is the only one who can determine whether the LAP procedure can be done. When I had surgery, I was told I would get the LAP procedure, but had to sign a waiver stating that if conditions occured that prevent the LAP procedure, the surgeon had my permission to do the OPEN procedure. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

June 12, 2008
Talkj to your sergeon. Once the Fat is off the liver and it comes first when you diet, you can usually have Lapsoc. RNY WLS. Your doctor will be pleased that you did the 30 lbs on your own, so just talk frankly with him and he will do the same to you. Call for an appointment now! Best of success to you.
   — William (Bill) wmil

June 12, 2008
Wow, 30 pounds that is great. My doc told me to follow diet pre surgery (7-16) to loose fat around liver. Sounds like you did it. I know everything is so nerve racking right now remember you have God on your side. I will keep u in my prayers. Ps I start my pre 6-25, when I first started that was one of the first things my nurse told me in Jan. they had 2 people they opened and closed back up because of the liver and they did not follow the pre diet. Best of Luck Tammi
   — Tammi Sandoval

June 13, 2008
I think you need to find out why your liver is enlarged. Is this something you were born with? Is this an obesity related change? Is this "fatty liver" or something else? I would suggest calling your surgeon and finding out how much smaller your liver needs to be and what you can do to achieve that. I wondering if you would be eligible for an open procedure rather than a laproscopic one if your liver does not get any smaller. Call your surgeon and ask. S/he's the only one who can tell you what his/her requirements are for surgery. Good luck.
   — mrsidknee