Question:
Anyone w/ Hepatitis C have WLS?

I have a surgery date for July 11th. I had my pre-op tests done on Monday. Today I got a call from my surgeon's nurse saying that I have Hepatitis C and I have to go back for more blood tests. Other than being obese, this is the only thing wrong with me. I'm so afraid that I won't be able to have my surgery now! Anyone else been in a similar situation?    — Tanya B. (posted on June 13, 2002)

June 13, 2002
I HAVE HCV AND DR. IKRAMUDDIN TOLD ME NO PROBLEM. IF I WERE YOU I WOULD WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUR VIRAL COUNT IS AND IF IT HAS DONE DAMAGE TO YOUR LIVER. MY VIRAL COUNT IS PRETTY LOW AND JUST A SMIDGEON OF LIVER DAMAGE. THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD WEB SITES ON HCV. DON'T PANIC!! JUST READ ALL YOU CAN AND KEEP CURRENT WITH THE LATEST MEDICAL NEWS ON HCV. I HAD MY WLS SURGERY IN NOVEMBER AND I HAVE LOST 87 POUNDS SO FAR. I WAS 270 TO START. I DON'T ABUSE MY LIVER...MEANING I DON'T DRINK, SMOKE, ETC. YOU CAN LIVE WITH IT, IT'S THE INITIAL NOTIFICATION THAT YOU HAVE IT THAT IS FRIGHTENING. HANG IN THERE AND GOOD LUCK!
   — Anna G.

June 13, 2002
ON MY BLOOD TEST I TESTED FOR HEP C THEN THEY DID SOME OTHER BLOOD WORK TO MAKE SURE MY ENZINES WERE IN NORMAL RANGE AND THEY WERE I HAVE THE HEP C ANTIBODY BUT NOT THE DISEASE IS WHAT I WAS TOLD. CLEARED FOR SURGERY IN AUG. GOOD LUCK AND DONT WORRY THEY PROBABLY WILL WANT TO DO A LIVER BIOPSY WHILE YOUR HAVING SURGERY TO CHECK TO FATTY TISSUE AND EVERYTHING I WOULDN'T WORRY TOO MUCH.
   — D S.

June 13, 2002
I was diagnosed with Hep. C - inactive about 10 years ago. My liver, when scanned, was diagnosed as "fatty" liver which is common in obese patients. I too was scared that the fear of the fatty liver being because of my Hep. C was going to cancel out my surgery but you know what? I asked my PCP if my surgeon could do another biopsy to make sure the Hep. C remained inactive while doing the Lap. RNY. I then spoke to my surgeon after the PCP said that would be okay and he approved it as well. I had my surgery on the 9th of April - 9 weeks and a few days ago and I just weighed today and I'm 3 pounds shy of 60 lbs. - that sounds SO much better than 57 lbs. but you get the picture. Hang in there and don't hesitate to write me if you need anything further - I'd be glad to help. Bright Blessings !
   — Lisa J.

July 21, 2002
I have Hep C also and I was told that there is no problem. I went to see my gastroenterologist first thing to ask him if it would be all right and he was very postitve about it. He said he would like them to do a liver biopsy while they are in there since I am due for another one and this way I won't even feel it. So don't worry, I'm sure it will be fine! I have never been sick with the Hepatitis and they don't have a clue how long I've had it. Probably for many years, since it has been over 25 years since I had a blood transfusion. I would have never known except they did blood tests when I was PG with my last child and found it. Good luck and don't be worried!
   — pooh2tattoo