HopefullXOXOXO

Azin, I don't know the grade of liver disease. I'll be sure to ask this question as I wasn't even aware there are grades. I was not given the meds for GB because surgeon said there are a lot of side effects and didn't recommend it. I do have pain under my ribs on the right side. I've also had GB "attacks", where I get shooting pain up into my chest and in my back. I get nauseous but haven't vomited, yet. I'm more worried about my liver since you can live without a GB, can't live without a liver. A few people have commented on my color being off too. My liver was fine through biopsy day of surgery and now I'm told it's "fatty liver disease". Trying to figure out why so I can do something about it.

I've been going to Mass. General for many years and have always had wonderful care there. So I've been very surprised by the weight loss center. Like I said though, the nutritionist who led the support group after surgery, retired last year and I think her heart just wasn't in it. I do think the weight loss center should have doctors available for after care. I've told this to several people at MGH. I really appreciate all the responses and now feel like I'll be able to get somewhere. I do have to take some responsibility though since I didn't even know there are doctors that specialize in liver disease. Now that I know what to ask for, I hope I'll get the answers I'm looking for.

It's the only product I've had daily since the surgery and I never had it before the surgery, so I thought it might be worth looking into. I've been using it all along because I know it's a top rated product and used by hospitals. It was really just another thought I had, that's all.

I really can't thank everyone enough for your responses! Very grateful to have some concrete things to look into. One of the thoughts I've had is that I've used Unjury brand protein bars and powers as well as their vitamins on a daily basis since the surgery and want to look into this as well. You never know....

Thanks E.P. The only person who mentioned the fatty liver disease was the CNP who ordered the ultrasound and labs to check pain I was having in that area. All this time, I thought it was just the gall bladder. She advised I "lose weight and eat a healthy, low fat, low sugar diet." I had to tell her I had the sleeve surgery 18 months ago. Thank you for the suggestion. I'll take it!

Thank you Rick. I appreciate this information. I will look into seeing a liver specialist to get to the bottom of this.

Wow FluffyChix, you've done great! Very happy for you. The reason I came here with my question is my doctor (surgeon) doesn't want to deal with this. He says "I'm the surgeon", ask your primary care. My primary care says "I'm not a weight loss specialist, the weight loss center should be helping you with this." The hospital, Mass General in Boston, Ma., for some reason, doesn't have a doctor, other than the surgeon, for me to talk to about this. It's very frustrating. All I was told was to eat low fat and low sugar. I'm already doing that. The only other thing I was told is to stay away from Tylenol and other pain killers. My question: for LIFE? Really? Not realistic. I'm sorry to say that Mass. General's weight loss program isn't good. At least it hasn't been for me. The surgery itself was done very well and I have no complaints about that at all. All other follow up, like with a nutritionist, etc. was pretty much useless. They didn't give me any information I didn't already have and could have easily found online. The post op support is non existent. I could have been the nutritionist I saw because she did retire about 6 months after my surgery. Her heart just wasn't it in. It's my opinion they should have other doctors who are knowledgeable about WLS to help patients who have problems post op. Maybe it's just me. Bottom line, I have no idea what stage it is. I just know that's what the ultrasound showed and that my liver enzymes are high. ??? The ultrasound results say: echogenic liver parenchyma which may be related to underlying liver disease Perhaps I should see a liver specialist. I didn't even know there are specialists for the liver. Makes sense.

Day of surgery 5/3/18, a biopsy was done of my liver and it was perfectly normal. No problems. Last year, 6 months post op, I had an abdominal ultrasound and was told I had gallbladder sludge, no mention of fatty liver. 18 months out, another abdominal ultrasound and I got a copy of the results. It shows a fatty liver, unchanged from 1 year ago and GB sludge. The doctor didn't even mention the liver damage to me and when I asked about it was told not to worry, it happens with WLS. I've researched and I've seen it can happen to people who lose a lot of pounds fast. I lost 55 pounds first 7 months (10 of it pre op). since then another 12, for a total of 67 pounds. This just isn't making sense to me. How could I have a normal liver on surgery day, after enjoying whatever foods I liked for years, and now that I'm eating MUCH better, have liver disease??? It's not that I never have fat or sugar (had some yesterday, but not a lot), but if I eat even 1/10th of what I used to, that would shock me. Like a have a bite of something, maybe two bites. Even that's once or twice a month. Does anyone have any ideas about how this happened and what I can do about it? I'd really appreciate hearing from the community on this as my doctor doesn't want to address this. I don't drink ANY alcohol. Thank You, Lisa

Thank you!

Thanks so much for responding. I've done research online and have read both what you wrote above and what 2bsmaller18 wrote. From what I can tell, if I had stones and regular attacks, I should be planning my surgery asap. Everything I've read about just sludge and a few irregular pains (not having full blown attacks) says to wait and watch. I also read there are medications that can help but my surgeon only mentioned the surgery. Of course, he's a surgeon, that's what they do! So I really appreciate your input. For me, with what I've experience SO FAR, surgery seems extreme. Certainly if it gets worse, I'll do what I have to do. I'm mostly concerned because my husband and I have a much awaited trip to Hawaii in 10 days, with my new 175# figure. My husband thought of cancelling the trip so I could have the surgery but I think I'll eat very low fat, as I was doing before the holidays, and worry about this after we get back. Hopefully this will be ok. Thanks again!

I was sleeved in May, 2018 and before Christmas was having moderate pain in my upper right side. Was sent for an ultrasound and they found gallbladder sludge which I wasn't told about until this week cuz doc was on vacation. Over the holidays, I did indulge in some favorite high fat treats. Last week, before I was told and after N.Y.'s Eve & day (with more fatty favorites) the pain did get worse and seemed to spread upwards into my chest. It didn't last long but was intermittent for days. When the doctor called I told him this and he immediately went to removing the gallbladder. I asked about medication and he said there's only one and I'd have to take it for the rest of my life. He's a surgeon, so naturally, he's recommending surgery. I'm just not sure if it's really necessary. I went back to the low fat diet after NY's and the symptoms are getting better. I still feel something like cramping and/or quivering in the area but it's milder and less frequent. I'd really like to hear from anyone/everyone who has had experience with gallbladder problems after WLS and/or anyone who might have some insights into this problem. I really don't want to have surgery unless it's absolutely necessary. I don't understand how the WLS causes gallbladder problems in the first place. I'd like to know if there are any other approaches to the problem I'm experiencing? Any thoughts you have will be very much appreciated. thanks!

Thanks for the replies. I do already add a lot of salt to what I'm eating. As I lose weight, I'm having to add more and more. I decided to add V8 juice because it's heavy on the sodium. If I want something to crunch on, I'm going to try edamame with added salt. I appreciate your thoughts.

I'm almost 4 months post op and have a condition that makes my blood pressure on the low side. My doctor told me to add salt to my diet. I do that but it's still not up enough. I added roasted, salted cashews as a snack. They're so delicious that I'm eating too many. Probably 1/2 cup at one sitting. So I'm trying to find a healthier/less fattening alternative. Any ideas?

Sleeved 5/3/18. Heartburn was my biggest problem after surgery. It really scared me. My gastroenterologist told me to take two PPI's a day, the second 30 minutes before dinner. He also told me Gaviscon works well with sleevers. He's right. The Gaviscon got me through the first couple of days while taking two Pantoprazole (Protonix) a day. I took two a day for about a month, maybe 5 weeks. Still taking one a day to be on the safe side. This solved my problem. I hope this helps!