I saw my PCP today to get medical clearance. I thought it would be a breeze; I would be in and out in no time. Needless to say, that was not the case. My doctor received the results from the lab work that I had performed at the hospital yesterday. Turns out my liver enzymes or whatever they're called are way high, leading the doctor to the decision that I have hepatitis (HOW? I always wash my hands thoroughly after doing my business, I don't eat uncooked shellfish, share needles, drink heavily, have unprotected promiscuous sex, etc...) and need further blood work to figure out which kind, and an ultra sound of my liver. So, I get stuck in the arm that is still bruised from yesterday's blood work and have my side poked and prodded. Results of the ultra sound: abnormal; enlarged liver with noticeable fatty deposits.

I can't begin to express how upset I am. My blood work from the middle of September was normal! I went on a liquid diet, lost some weight, have done everything the doctors have asked of me, only to be facing the possibility of having my surgery on Monday canceled. I feel like I could puke. I feel like my body is finally seeking its revenge on me. It's saying, "This is what you deserve, you fat bitch. This is what you get for the years of abuse."

Sorry to be a downer. It's just so grotesquely disappointing to finally feel hope and to have actual goals and a plan of action set after months of preparation, only to see those dreams crumble right as I'm about to have a life changing procedure.

I'm not looking for any sympathy, I just need to vent. I did this to myself and take full responsibility for my present health, but WTF! When am I going to finally catch a break?!

Sorry to hear that Tish. I would have freaked if I was told they couldn't go ahead. When are they going to let you know?

The doctor wants me to see a specialist, so I have no idea what's going to happen from there. I can't be upset that my doctor is hesitant to give clearance. She is doing the absolute right thing and for that I am beyond grateful. I just wish this could have been figured out sooner so that more drastic measures could have been taken to remedy the problem.

Prayers and/or good thoughts are coming your way! I cannot begin to image how you must feel. Hopefully your doctors will be able to get to the bottom of things, find out it isn't so serious, get it fixed, and get on with your lap-band! That's my hope for you.

I just wonder though, isn't a fatty liver normal for patients who struggle with obesity? From what I understand, there is no "remedy" for a fatty liver except for time and weight loss. Drastic weight loss, which I am guilty of, can actually escalate the problem. Just curious, has anyone else been told that they had a fatty liver, but their surgeon went ahead with the surgery anyway?

Prayers and/or good thoughts are coming your way! I cannot begin to image how you must feel. Hopefully your doctors will be able to get to the bottom of things, find out it isn't so serious, get it fixed, and get on with your lap-band! That's my hope for you.

Thank you so much!

Did the doctor actually do a blood hepatitis test on you? He can't diagnose you as having hepatitis without a positive blood test.

Did the doctor actually do a blood hepatitis test on you? He can't diagnose you as having hepatitis without a positive blood test.

Her hypothesis was based on the lab results from yesterday, but ran a new panel of tests today. I should have those results tomorrow.

Sorry to butt in on a monthly thread, but the liver thing caught my eye.

Have you by any chance been put on cholesterol drugs recently? That is what happen to me. My pre op blood work showed sky high liver enzymes. Turned out to be the Lovastatin they had put me on for high cholesterol. A week and a half off of the meds, and my surgery was A-OK.

Check with your pharmacist to see if ANY thing you might be taking could be the culprit.

Will be thinking good thoughts for you, I remember exactly where you are-good Luck!!!

Kat

Thanks for the support, Kat. Unfortunately, prescription medicine can't take the rap for this one since I don't take a single thing. I only have my own terrible eating habits to blame!

Sorry to hear what you are going through. I hope that things turn around in a positive direction for you.

Ti9sh I am so sorry to hear this has come up. My husband had some REALLY elevated liver enzymes that were discovered in a similar manner to yours, after a rapid weight loss (which he did because he was told his cholesterol was 396). They told him that he probably had Hepatitis, too. So off to a Gastroenterologist we went. He ended up having a liver biopsy after an ultrasound showed a large fatty liver, and all that showed was...you guessed it, fatty liver disease (FLD).

You are correct, the only real "treatment" for that is weight loss and lifestlye/food changes (exercise, lean meats, etc.). Exactly what this surgery should help you to do.

I really hope this won't stop a surgeon from operating on you after this is all sorted out. My fingers and toes and everything else is crossed for you in the hopes this can be swiftly taken care of and you can get your band.

Take Care and please keep us updated.

I had a fatty liver and that is very very commong in us bigger people....I even had a biopsy done and it was just a fatty liver.....no other problems like they thought. I will say a prayer for you right now and I know you will be just fine. I had the surgery and I am doing better than I ever had. Good luck and keep up posted.

Thank you, Lori Ann. I truly appreciate the prayers and feel blessed to receive them! Thank you for sharing your info, it has helped to ease my stomach a little.

From the results posted on your ticker, it looks like you're doing better than OK. You're doing fantastic! :clap2:

Thanks for sharing your husband's story, Faithmd. It's so scary when one expects a clean bill of health and the doctor just blurts out that there is the possibility of having a serious illness. I'm sure that you and your husband must have been relieved after all of the tests were completed, that it was FLD after all. Your story has given me a little piece of hope back that the surgery may still be a possibility. Thank you!

I too was told I had a fatty liver, and that I would have to go on a 10 day diet of about 800 calories a day (which sounded drastic to say the least, but after the 300-400 I have been living on the last 6 days....it sounds like a feast).....but a spot opened up 2 days after I was approved, and I had the surgery without having to do the diet, and my liver was fine.