Question:
My liver doctor says this surgery can cause cirrhrosis is this true?

I went to see a gastroenterologist today for elevated liver enzymes and he wants to do a liver biopsy. When I asked him about WLS he did not have anything good to say. He said ALL OF THE PATIENTS eventually gain their wt back. He said he has one patient that has permanent liver cirrhosis related to her surgery, Help!! Give me long term results and good news about livers and surgery. My husband now is afraid of the surgery for me.    — Glenda E. (posted on July 24, 2000)

March 16, 2007
I know this has been some time since you posted this question but my GI doc is saying the same. I had Lap RNY in 2003 and was anemic shortly afterwards. I took trinsicon 3 times a day and got my iron and ferritin back up to normal levels. Then I had a pannicuelectomy and hernia repair and again my iron and ferritin dropped. I continued Trinsicon until my iron level improved then I switched to twice a week and also added alfalfa. Due to fatigue and various other symptoms I had my liver enzymes, iron, ferritin, and several other things checked. My liver enzymes were high. I had a CAT scan and they found a few lesions on my liver. I started a liver cleansing regimine and less than 2 weeks later had a ultrasound to take a closer look. They couldn't find the lesions. I chose to go to my GI doc to see what they say about it. They tested for mono and it came back positive but not active so it was chalked up to that since my levels dropped to normal. This was October 2006. Jan 2007 I had my annual done and had all the panel of labs drawn this time my iron was 3 times the normal level and my liver enzymes were even higher than before. I went back to my GI doc and was told could be Hemochromotiosis (?) genetic iron overload but they still wanted a liver biopsy. Had the biopsy and now waiting for the results. I had a ANA drawn today because I think they are thinking maybe Lupus. But the nurse said that the GI doc says is most likely a result of the gastric bypass. I will go Tues 3/21/07 to be able to go over the results with him and maybe find out what is causing my problems. About gaining back I lost from 326lbs to 176 in 2 years. I am now 185 and holding for the last year and half. I do notice at times my clothes get tighter and I do a little bit better about food choices and try to be more active and it usually goes down. I don't weigh myself and never use the scales at home only get weighed at the doc's office. I try to listen to my body about what it wants and I have it. Even if it is chocolate just much much smaller amounts. Let us know if you found out any other information related to this.
   — jenafwife

March 16, 2007
Well I had cirossis at the time of my WLS, it comes from being fat, and usually goes away as the weight goes down. A good friend I was there for his surgery had his liver crash after WLS. But is now doing fine. MO people arent real healthy and things can come up. Nearly all are much healthier after surgery. My surgeon does a liver biopsy on every WLS patient and says most show signs of cirrhosis
   — bob-haller