Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Shrinking Liver Question



Recommended Posts

Hello, I understand the reason for shrinking the liver. I actually gained weight from when I first went to the dr so now I have 18 pounds to lose instead of ten so I started a little over a week ago trying to lose instead of waiting until the two weeks before as I was told by my doctor.

So I am doing slimfast or herbalife for Breakfast and dinner and eating one meal a day with two Snacks. I am doing healthy Snacks like yogart, Jello, etc. I am slowly moving away from soda and I have already cut my coffee to half/half and when this container runs out will switch to Decaf.

I am not perfect and have cheated some but am trying to get used to eating this way. I am also at the gym 3-4 days a week with 30 minutes of cardio and some light weight training.

Doing this, I have lost 3 pounds in about two 1/2 weeks. So my question is, will this shrink my liver if I keep at it or is there something special I should be doing that I am not yet doing? I am a sweetaholic and my therapist told me that if I can make it 15 days straight without sugar, I can "probably" kick the habit for good so that will start on Saturday because I want to eat a little bit of candy tomorrow. Not much because I don't want to gain anymore weight.

Is this the right path? I think so but wanted to get the opinions here since we are all going through it or have gone through it already.

Thanks for all the help!:biggrin::smile2::thumbup::smile2::mellow:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The key to shrinking the liver is through depleting it of glycogen. Glycogen is what your body makes and stores there when you consume carbohydrates. This includes sugar, flour, rice, potatoes, peas, corn, basically any starchy or sugary food, including fruit.

The fastest way to shrink the liver is to do Atkins Induction. You can google it and find it easily or just go to Atkins.com. It consists of eating 20 grams of carbs per day, all of which come from leafy greens and vitamin-packed vegetables, up to 4 oz of cheese per day ONLY, and the rest from high Protein items such as chicken, fish, beef, eggs, pork (it recommends you skip bacon and sausage as well as processed meats like lunch meat. No more than twice a week on those). If your doctor has not recommended a liquid diet for you, I would suggest you do two weeks of Atkins Induction phase, preferably longer. You will lose weight and your liver will shrink down nicely.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doctor has me on a modified Atkins diet for 7 days pre-op. Surgery is coming up on Wednesday - YAY!!

Anyways, he allows me to have fruit and milk (must be full-fat and as low carb as possible). I'm also allowed beans/hummus, which I'm pleased with. Basically, cut out all the complex carbs, which are bread, rice, Pasta and potatoes, pretzels, potato chips...you get the idea.

It's not about losing x number of pounds before your surgery, it's just about shrinking your liver. I might only lose 2lbs in the next 5 days, but I'll have abstained from carbs for a week, thus depleting my body of glycogen and shrinking my liver. So don't focus on losing those 18lbs or else you'll drive yourself bonkers!!! :biggrin: Good luck!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Did the liquid diet two weeks before surgery and lost eighteen pounds.

Woke up in recovery room and ask my surgeon about my liver. He said it was still big, but I was able to place the band. It is still possible to do the surgery, but it does make it harder. I was so pissed because I stuck to the liquids. Best Wishes

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My liver shrink diet was 2-3 of a certain shake each day, at least 64 oz of Water, 3 oz lean chicken fish or poulty each day and green veggies. no butter, Condiments, NO Snacks AT ALL. I lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks, liver still too big, did it another 2 1/2 weeks and 17 more pounds, and op was successful that 2nd time.

Each surgeon has his/her own liver shrink diet. Do what YOUR surgeon says. If you want a jump start, call your surgeon's office and find out what they want you to do. They are all so different; it's best if you comply with your surgeons directions, not anecdotal info from here! :biggrin:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I went on Optifast for six weeks prior to surgery - four weeks at doctors request.. but I don't mind Optifast... I lost 11Kgs before surgery and surgeon was very pleased as the preparation had been so good. On some weekends I had 1 evening meal of lean meat and salad - no carbohydrates. Hope that helps.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×