So I went in yesterday for my surgery and everything seemed totally fine. They got me into the OR but when they finally got in, my liver was too big for the doctor to get around it and do the surgery and they couldn't put the band in.

They were really nice and caring about it, but I was so sad! As soon as I was coherent and talked to the doctor and they told me they couldn't do it, I started crying. Such a dissapointment!

All hope is not lost at least though, They're putting me on a high Protein (low carb, low sugar, low fat) diet for the next 4 to 5 weeks and they said it will shrink my liver enough that they can go back in and do the operation safely.

I did get all five incisions, and the only one that hurts at all is the big one, there's no pain in the others at all. The big one hurts because it's kindof right on the center of my abdomen where everytime I sit down, stand up, cough, laugh, etc that's the muscle that tenses up and then pulls on the incision. My doctor gave me some great pain pills though... I'm a bit high right now, lol. My doctor said when they go back to do the surgery again later, they can use the same incisions so I don't have a bunch of cuts all over me.

My best friend is super sweet and happens to be a registered dietician (non-practicing though) and she took the day off of work so she could come over this morning and go grocery shopping with me. I have pracatically nothing in my house but juice, broth, and protien power cause that's all I was expecting to need for a while when I came back! She came over last night and we put together a grocery list and meal ideas. She's been really wonderful and so supportive, I'm lucky to have her!

So that's it. I'm going to keep the best attitude I can, stay away from every possible source of carbs I can for the next five weeks and then I'm getting this thing done!

I hope things went great for everyone else who had their surgeries yesterday. I look forward to hearing your success stories!

Edited May 6, 200818 yr by SeattleSweetie

Sorry you didn't get your surgery! I hope everything goes well for the next time! I can't imagine how disappointed you must be. Hang in there and be sure to follow all the rules so you can get it done in 6 weeks.

~C

I have my surgery on May 15th, and the doctor said I didn't need to have any special diet prior to the surgery. Does any one know if it is a frequent problem that they cannot do the surgery once you get to the OR. I know I have a fatty liver, and don't want to go thru the same disappointment.Thanks

I am sorry this happened to you and can only imagine your disappointment. On the bright side, your body will be ready for the surgery when you go back in 6 weeks and it will be much safer for you.

I have my surgery on May 15th, and the doctor said I didn't need to have any special diet prior to the surgery. Does any one know if it is a frequent problem that they cannot do the surgery once you get to the OR. I know I have a fatty liver, and don't want to go thru the same disappointment.Thanks

I am not sure how often this happens. My physician puts his patients on a mostly liquid diet for 2 full weeks prior to surgery to shrink the liver. You get a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch. Then you can have a small lean protien for dinner like a chicken breast and a small salad.

I have my surgery on May 15th, and the doctor said I didn't need to have any special diet prior to the surgery. Does any one know if it is a frequent problem that they cannot do the surgery once you get to the OR. I know I have a fatty liver, and don't want to go thru the same disappointment.Thanks

I am no doctor, but just to be on the safe side, I think I would go ahead and put myself on the high Protein, low carb diet just to be on the safe side. What could it hurt? It could just possibly help you have your surgery as planned and not end up in this same position. Just my 2 cents.

OMG! So sorry this happened!! I am glad you have such a great and knowledgable friend to help you get through this and get on a program so you will be ready for your new surgery date. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

Aww that sucks! Cause now you have to go through the pain twice...but it's good that you can still have it done! I had my supervised diet and exercise start today...11 more appts to go I lost 3 pounds!!!

Feel better.

Is this common?

You know, I'm not really sure. Like you, we knew I had a fatty liver also, but when we did an ultrasound and a CT and they just didn't acurately show how large my liver was. To my understanding, fatty liver is somewhat common in bariatric patients and usually a doctor will put you on a diet. I did the diet, just not for long enough. I would recommend the same thing everyone else has - start a high Protein, low carb diet just to be on the safe side.

And thanks everyone else for your support. I will be spending lots of time on here in the coming weeks looking for support . I'm super motivated though and I'm definitely going to be ready six weeks from now!! I'm so glad this board and all of you are here to talk to.

Edited May 7, 200818 yr by SeattleSweetie
Typo

thanks, I will do atleast a week of hi pro, low carb. I am giving the doctors office a call as well.

7 days to go

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

may i ask what were you eating prior to your procedure? that is so not cool....

I was doing a high-Protein diet - lots of eggs, chicken, a little low-fat cheese, salad with calorie-free dressing, etc.

I think the problem was just that it wasn't long enough. They put me on this diet when I came in for my pre-surgery meeting on Tuesday and my surgery was the following Monday.

Guess six days just wasn't enough to shrink my liver like they thought it would.

so they didn't have u on any liquid shakes... i could only imagine how u felt when u woke up... u can't go back now so just make the best of it...U can do it... all i can say is the 2 shakes and 1 meal a day is hard as hell...lol

Good news!

I just went in to see my doctor and the nutritionist today, and I'm on the diet and logging every single bite of food I'm eating. I'm sending my weekly meal logs to my dr and nutritionist and they're both very happy so far. I've lost seven pounds just since Monday (though I'm certain it's just because I've not been eating much since I'm still recovering and not feeling too great)

Turns out my doctor said my liver was really really big, like twice as big as it should have been (holy crap!) but he's certain that this diet will work and he said in six weeks, we'll do the surgery and even if my liver is still too large and he can't do it laproscopically, he'll do an open surgery to get the band in, if I want, so long as I'm good about my diet up till then. He really thinks I'll be fine by then though. Other than my liver and my weight, I'm in great shape with no other health problems (thank God).

So one way or another, I'm getting this band in six weeks, no if's, and's, or but's about it! It's definitely motivating to know that I won't have to go through this same thing twice.

I love my doctor! :thumbup:

Ms Trina, from what I read in your other threads, you're doing great and kicking butt. Keep at it, you're so close! You're gonna do awesome!

I haven't got my surgery date yet but I do know I have to go on a two week Opti-fast diet before surgery

Hey there Sweetie I am so sorry this had to happen to you. I'm glad you're back on track for 6 weeks from now. Keep us all posted.

It's sad to say but you may just have become the poster child for LBT as to why other pre-bandsters should pay more attention to their pre-op diet.

Let me clarify that comment. I am NOT suggesting you didn't follow your docs diet. From what you told us he just didn't have you on it long enough. What I'm referring to are the pre-bandsters that are out there posting legitimate questions about wether or not it is OK for them to "Cheat" on their doc's pre-op diet since they have heard of others that had less restrictive diets or those who had no problems in surgery after cheating.

I have no idea what the stats are but in my book even if only 1 out of 1000 patients get closed up without a band because of thier liver. I'd rather do everything within my power not to be that 1.