Anyone else have a fatty liver too???!!!!

LisaJayne71
LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member
edited September 21 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been to see a doctor here in the Middle East about my PCOS.. when I went for my abdominal scan, the doctor taking the scan decided to do a full body scan and for the first time ever I was told that I have a fatty liver and that apparently it's very bad... The whole of my liver is covered in fat....... I was pretty shocked....
I know that I haven't always had the healthiest lifestyle and have yo yo'ed with my diet and I am overweight but for the last 15 yrs probably only a maximum of 3-4 stone overweight (42 - 56llbs)... In the last 12 months I've become heavier and am now the heaviest I've ever been but it's still a bit of a shock.... I've no idea how long it's been like this as no one has ever scanned my liver before!!

I wondered if anyone else has had this problem? I found a webpage about it that says it's very difficult to lose weight when you have a fatty liver (great! Like I don't already have enough problems losing weight with the PCOS.. let's throw this in too!!)
If you managed to lose weight with the fatty liver, was there any diet in particular you followed? Do you have any advice for me?

Maybe you have found out you have it too?...
Here is the page I found on the web... I think the last part of the page this doctor is trying to sell her products and I'm a bit cautious about that..... but the explanations about what the liver does and why it's hard to lose weight are interesting
http://www.liverdoctor.com/index.php?page=fatty-liver

Thanks! Lisa

Replies

  • nicolee516
    nicolee516 Posts: 1,862 Member
    I don't have a fatty liver that I am aware of, and I did read the website you posted, thanks. There are natural ways to cleanse the liver to get rid of gallstones that will help your overall health. If you are interested, please PM me. ( I am not selling anything, I jsut don't want to get bashed for saying something that other people may not agree with.):flowerforyou:
  • ocbeachlover
    ocbeachlover Posts: 1
    Hi...I also have a fatty liver but the doctor told me it was no big deal. Said that most times its past on from family members. She never told me to do anything different or that I would have trouble losing weight...Hmmmm guess I am going to have to question her again. Thanks...
  • waguchan
    waguchan Posts: 450 Member
    I don't know much about it, but when preparing for weight loss surgery, they made me go on a very low carb, high protein diet to reduce the fat around the liver to make the stomach easily accessible during laparoscopic surgery. After my surgery, they told me that my liver looked good because it wasn't too fatty and surgery was successful.

    So eat seems that it gets better just by eating right and exercising just like losing fat anywhere else on the body, but I'm not a doctor.
  • melbhall
    melbhall Posts: 519
    Hi! I don't have a fatty liver, but my husband does. He also has very high blood pressure and he's only 29. His doctor didn't give him any instructions other than try to lose weight so he hasn't really taken it that seriously (although he is trying to exercise more and lose some weight). I never really thought of him as overweight because he's just a tall big guy with toned sexy legs, but I guess he is technically considered as overweight according to the charts. I will have to check out the site you posted. Thanks for the info.

    Hope you find the answers you are looking for and that your weight loss journey is a successful one!
  • vineas
    vineas Posts: 84
    I have a fatty liver as well, finding that out was probably the best thing that has happened to me, because it scared the crap out of me and forced me to take another look back at my life and see what I needed to change. My doctor also said that it wasn't that big of a deal and that many americans have a fatty liver, and that it wouldn't really affect my life at all - but I've had two members of my family die from liver disease (alcohol related though). That isn't something I ever want to have to go through, so I started immediately eating healthier, losing weight and working out.

    As far as your original question, I haven't found it hard to lose weight at all, once I had the focus to actually do it. I've had trouble in the past, but only because I wasn't focused enough to actually do it.
  • MakingMeOver
    MakingMeOver Posts: 38
    Hi. I had my gall baldder removed several years ago, and since then I was diagnosed with Fatty Liver. However, I was told by my Doctor that I could get that under control by changing my diet and that it would be easy to do. all i have to do is eat right and lose some of this weight and the Fatty Liver will heal itself.
  • LisaJayne71
    LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member
    I have a fatty liver as well, finding that out was probably the best thing that has happened to me, because it scared the crap out of me and forced me to take another look back at my life and see what I needed to change. My doctor also said that it wasn't that big of a deal and that many americans have a fatty liver, and that it wouldn't really affect my life at all - but I've had two members of my family die from liver disease (alcohol related though). That isn't something I ever want to have to go through, so I started immediately eating healthier, losing weight and working out.

    As far as your original question, I haven't found it hard to lose weight at all, once I had the focus to actually do it. I've had trouble in the past, but only because I wasn't focused enough to actually do it.

    I have always struggled to lose weight because of my PCOS which means I gain very easily and find it twice as hard to lose weight than women without PCOS..... For yrs I have worked hard in the gym, eaten very healthily and then found I've only lost 2llbs over a 6 week period.... I then get disillusioned and wonder what the hard work is all for.... but even when I'm not really restricting my calories I still eat less than my friends without PCOS and they don't gain weight... and that's the double whammy of PCOS is that we have to eat a lot less calories than most people.. plus I've been told I have a slow metabolism.....

    I have been putting a lot of effort into my diet since I joined MFP over a week ago and have been to the gym 9 days out of 10 and you'd think I would have lost something.... but no! I've not lost a thing...
    Even though my ticker shows I have, I had actually put the wrong start weight in at the beginning and was trying to adjust it, so it shows I've lost...
    I've been more focused than I have ever been before and this time I haven't even lost the small amount I would have in the past...

    Did your doctor tell you about following a syndrome x diet?
  • LisaJayne71
    LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member
    I don't have a fatty liver that I am aware of, and I did read the website you posted, thanks. There are natural ways to cleanse the liver to get rid of gallstones that will help your overall health. If you are interested, please PM me. ( I am not selling anything, I jsut don't want to get bashed for saying something that other people may not agree with.):flowerforyou:

    I will do! Thanks!
  • LisaJayne71
    LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member
    Hi...I also have a fatty liver but the doctor told me it was no big deal. Said that most times its past on from family members. She never told me to do anything different or that I would have trouble losing weight...Hmmmm guess I am going to have to question her again. Thanks...

    Mine told me to just lose weight and that it was very bad as the whole thing on the scan was covered in white... and that was the extent of help I got!
    I'm going to try and see someone else! Good luck with yours and please let me know if you hear anything new.. and vice versa with me!
  • LisaJayne71
    LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member
    I don't know much about it, but when preparing for weight loss surgery, they made me go on a very low carb, high protein diet to reduce the fat around the liver to make the stomach easily accessible during laparoscopic surgery. After my surgery, they told me that my liver looked good because it wasn't too fatty and surgery was successful.

    So eat seems that it gets better just by eating right and exercising just like losing fat anywhere else on the body, but I'm not a doctor.

    That's very interesting as when the doctor told me to lose weight for the fatty liver I asked her if I should stick to a low carb, high protein diet, she told me no!! I've always been a bit concerned about seeing doctors here in the Middle East as I wonder just how good they are!

    I was actually on the NHS list back in England to have a gastric bypass before I came here to the Middle East to work which means I then lost my place on the waiting list..... Even though I don't meet the normal weight for a Bariatric patient, they were going to do it because of my PCOS...
    If you don't mind me asking, how have you found having the surgery? I'm thinking of paying for it as I can't get back on the NHS list now I'm living out of the UK.....
    I was on the list for a gastric bypass rather than a band as the surgeon I was assigned to preferred to do gastric bypass as he felt there were too many problems with bands slipping and eroding into the stomach... but then other people swear by it and say they have not had any problems....
    I'd love to hear about your feelings on it if you don't mind...... PM me if you'd rather not put it on the boards! Thanks!
  • LisaJayne71
    LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member
    Hi! I don't have a fatty liver, but my husband does. He also has very high blood pressure and he's only 29. His doctor didn't give him any instructions other than try to lose weight so he hasn't really taken it that seriously (although he is trying to exercise more and lose some weight). I never really thought of him as overweight because he's just a tall big guy with toned sexy legs, but I guess he is technically considered as overweight according to the charts. I will have to check out the site you posted. Thanks for the info.

    Hope you find the answers you are looking for and that your weight loss journey is a successful one!

    Thanks! Hope your husband does well!
  • LisaJayne71
    LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member
    Hi. I had my gall baldder removed several years ago, and since then I was diagnosed with Fatty Liver. However, I was told by my Doctor that I could get that under control by changing my diet and that it would be easy to do. all i have to do is eat right and lose some of this weight and the Fatty Liver will heal itself.

    Has your doctor given you any guidelines to follow to lose weight with a fatty liver?
    I know that losing weight helps with a fatty liver but from what I have read and also my personal experience it's hard to lose weight with the fatty liver (and also my PCOS which makes things twice as hard)

    I have been working very hard since I joined MFP 10 days ago and sticking to my goals and I've not lost a single pound..... I've been to the gym 9 days out of 10 and you have to wonder just how much effort a person has to put in to get even a tiny little reward
  • simona1972
    simona1972 Posts: 355 Member
    Yup...fatty liver here too. Not surprising since my start weight was 350lbs. Diet and exercise will help. You're on the right road. My liver actually hurt that's how bad it was. I've lost over 20lbs and it doesn't hurt anymore. It's still fatty, but it's getting better.
  • lydaugherty
    lydaugherty Posts: 69
    Not sure if I have a fatty liver or not. I don't have health insurance and could never in my wildest dreams afford to go "just to get checked up"

    I have noticed lately, though, that after eating very very unhealthy food, my... liver/gallbladder area hurts.. A LOT.
    And it's ONLY after I eat unhealthy. It varies, depending on what I eat, from somewhat uncomfortable to not being able
    to lay down because it hurts so bad.

    So, listening to my body it was a wake up call to start eating better. When I eat within the healthy carbs/calories/fats/protein
    of my daily limit, I feel just fine.

    Weird huh?
  • July24Lioness
    July24Lioness Posts: 2,399 Member
    I don't know much about it, but when preparing for weight loss surgery, they made me go on a very low carb, high protein diet to reduce the fat around the liver to make the stomach easily accessible during laparoscopic surgery. After my surgery, they told me that my liver looked good because it wasn't too fatty and surgery was successful.

    So eat seems that it gets better just by eating right and exercising just like losing fat anywhere else on the body, but I'm not a doctor.

    ***Disclaimer*** - For all of you that don't agree, please do not start bashing me.

    My suggestion is the higher fat, moderate protein and very low carb. I am surprised that your doctor did not suggest that on his own.

    It sheds the fat from around the organs (what we don't see) and the external fat we see. I have never had my liver scanned, but I had laparoscopic surgery done and was told I had a lot of fat around all of my organs, which is more dangerous than the fat under the skin.............

    I am not a doctor (yet), but within the next year, I will be entering a Naturopathic Docotral program, so one of these days I will open an office to be able to execute my beliefs and research.
  • July24Lioness
    July24Lioness Posts: 2,399 Member
    I don't know much about it, but when preparing for weight loss surgery, they made me go on a very low carb, high protein diet to reduce the fat around the liver to make the stomach easily accessible during laparoscopic surgery. After my surgery, they told me that my liver looked good because it wasn't too fatty and surgery was successful.

    So eat seems that it gets better just by eating right and exercising just like losing fat anywhere else on the body, but I'm not a doctor.

    That's very interesting as when the doctor told me to lose weight for the fatty liver I asked her if I should stick to a low carb, high protein diet, she told me no!! I've always been a bit concerned about seeing doctors here in the Middle East as I wonder just how good they are!

    I was actually on the NHS list back in England to have a gastric bypass before I came here to the Middle East to work which means I then lost my place on the waiting list..... Even though I don't meet the normal weight for a Bariatric patient, they were going to do it because of my PCOS...
    If you don't mind me asking, how have you found having the surgery? I'm thinking of paying for it as I can't get back on the NHS list now I'm living out of the UK.....
    I was on the list for a gastric bypass rather than a band as the surgeon I was assigned to preferred to do gastric bypass as he felt there were too many problems with bands slipping and eroding into the stomach... but then other people swear by it and say they have not had any problems....
    I'd love to hear about your feelings on it if you don't mind...... PM me if you'd rather not put it on the boards! Thanks!

    Just curious as to why your doctor would say no to a low or controlled carb eating plan?

    If done correctly, you would be eating lots of veggies, moderate fruits, protein of your choosing, nuts, seeds, some whole grains and some dairy..............

    What is unbalanced or unhealthy about that?
  • lilmissy2
    lilmissy2 Posts: 595 Member
    Generally for a fatty liver (well, a non-alcoholic fatty liver), it will improve when you lose weight. Sometimes people aren't very overweight at all and they can still have quite a bad fatty liver. It's just to do with the content of their diet (ever met those annoyingly skinny people that just seem to eat deep-fried fast food all the time??). If someone is overweight though, it is more likely related to that.
  • vineas
    vineas Posts: 84
    Did your doctor tell you about following a syndrome x diet?

    My doctor was very blasé about it. He basically just said it wasn't something to worry about, but just try to eat less starches and sweets. That was about it. I'll have to look into the syndrome x diet, see what that's about.
    I have always struggled to lose weight because of my PCOS which means I gain very easily and find it twice as hard to lose weight than women without PCOS..... For yrs I have worked hard in the gym, eaten very healthily and then found I've only lost 2llbs over a 6 week period.... I then get disillusioned and wonder what the hard work is all for.... but even when I'm not really restricting my calories I still eat less than my friends without PCOS and they don't gain weight... and that's the double whammy of PCOS is that we have to eat a lot less calories than most people.. plus I've been told I have a slow metabolism.....

    My wife has PCOS as well, and has made it very hard for her to lose weight. She's about 5 weeks into Medifast and doing very well on that, but diets didn't work too well before this.
  • LisaJayne71
    LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member


    My wife has PCOS as well, and has made it very hard for her to lose weight. She's about 5 weeks into Medifast and doing very well on that, but diets didn't work too well before this.

    I think Medifast was called Accomplia in the UK and also here in the Middle East.. I was due to be put on it and then the week before I had my appointment to be seen to be given it they took the damn thing off the market.... not long after they then took Reductil off the market too.... both the only 2 obesity drugs that seemed to work!
    I'm going to be in the US in the summer so was thinking about trying to pay to see a doctor who would put me on it!
  • LisaJayne71
    LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member
    Yup...fatty liver here too. Not surprising since my start weight was 350lbs. Diet and exercise will help. You're on the right road. My liver actually hurt that's how bad it was. I've lost over 20lbs and it doesn't hurt anymore. It's still fatty, but it's getting better.

    Well done on the loss!

    I occasionally get sharp stabbing pains under the breast area on my right side which don't last long but take my breath away and I can't take deep breaths in... it then disappears as quickly as it comes and it's very sporadic... Is that anything like you had?
  • LisaJayne71
    LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member
    Not sure if I have a fatty liver or not. I don't have health insurance and could never in my wildest dreams afford to go "just to get checked up"

    I have noticed lately, though, that after eating very very unhealthy food, my... liver/gallbladder area hurts.. A LOT.
    And it's ONLY after I eat unhealthy. It varies, depending on what I eat, from somewhat uncomfortable to not being able
    to lay down because it hurts so bad.

    So, listening to my body it was a wake up call to start eating better. When I eat within the healthy carbs/calories/fats/protein
    of my daily limit, I feel just fine.

    Weird huh?

    They say we should learnt to listen to our bodies more! There seems to be some truth in that with what you have just said!
  • LisaJayne71
    LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member
    I don't know much about it, but when preparing for weight loss surgery, they made me go on a very low carb, high protein diet to reduce the fat around the liver to make the stomach easily accessible during laparoscopic surgery. After my surgery, they told me that my liver looked good because it wasn't too fatty and surgery was successful.

    So eat seems that it gets better just by eating right and exercising just like losing fat anywhere else on the body, but I'm not a doctor.

    That's very interesting as when the doctor told me to lose weight for the fatty liver I asked her if I should stick to a low carb, high protein diet, she told me no!! I've always been a bit concerned about seeing doctors here in the Middle East as I wonder just how good they are!

    I was actually on the NHS list back in England to have a gastric bypass before I came here to the Middle East to work which means I then lost my place on the waiting list..... Even though I don't meet the normal weight for a Bariatric patient, they were going to do it because of my PCOS...
    If you don't mind me asking, how have you found having the surgery? I'm thinking of paying for it as I can't get back on the NHS list now I'm living out of the UK.....
    I was on the list for a gastric bypass rather than a band as the surgeon I was assigned to preferred to do gastric bypass as he felt there were too many problems with bands slipping and eroding into the stomach... but then other people swear by it and say they have not had any problems....
    I'd love to hear about your feelings on it if you don't mind...... PM me if you'd rather not put it on the boards! Thanks!

    Just curious as to why your doctor would say no to a low or controlled carb eating plan?

    If done correctly, you would be eating lots of veggies, moderate fruits, protein of your choosing, nuts, seeds, some whole grains and some dairy..............

    What is unbalanced or unhealthy about that?

    I'm inclined to agree with you.... In the 18 months I have lived in the Middle East I have learned not to listen too much to doctors here.. I'm very skeptical if they know what they are talking about!
  • B4its2L8
    B4its2L8 Posts: 80 Member
    I don't understand why the doctors are saying that fatty liver is no big deal. It can be a big deal. I have a family member that is in the later stages of it and it has developed into non alcoholic psorrosis (spelled wrong) of the liver. Another family member has been diagnosed with fatty liver and was told she had the beginning stages but will eventually progress. she was told to lose weight and keep blood pressure and blood sugar under control. Maybe there are different versions of fatty liver? Just odd that the doctors are saying that it's no big deal when i have seen what it can eventually do.
  • LisaJayne71
    LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member
    I don't understand why the doctors are saying that fatty liver is no big deal. It can be a big deal. I have a family member that is in the later stages of it and it has developed into non alcoholic psorrosis (spelled wrong) of the liver. Another family member has been diagnosed with fatty liver and was told she had the beginning stages but will eventually progress. she was told to lose weight and keep blood pressure and blood sugar under control. Maybe there are different versions of fatty liver? Just odd that the doctors are saying that it's no big deal when i have seen what it can eventually do.

    I agree with you.. I was horrified to find that not just 1 doctor but 2 doctors, both supposedly experts on the field of diabetes and endocrinology have told me that my fatty liver is very bad, I need to lose some weight but haven't referred me to anyone who specializes in that field nor given me any other help, apart from lose weight.... Well, no **** sherlock... you don't say... seeing as I went to both of them in the first place for help with my PCOS/weight issue!!
  • LisaJayne71
    LisaJayne71 Posts: 197 Member
    I don't understand why the doctors are saying that fatty liver is no big deal. It can be a big deal. I have a family member that is in the later stages of it and it has developed into non alcoholic psorrosis (spelled wrong) of the liver. Another family member has been diagnosed with fatty liver and was told she had the beginning stages but will eventually progress. she was told to lose weight and keep blood pressure and blood sugar under control. Maybe there are different versions of fatty liver? Just odd that the doctors are saying that it's no big deal when i have seen what it can eventually do.

    I agree with you.. I was horrified to find that not just 1 doctor but 2 doctors, both supposedly experts on the field of diabetes and endocrinology have told me that my fatty liver is very bad, I need to lose some weight but haven't referred me to anyone who specializes in that field nor given me any other help, apart from lose weight.... Well, no **** sherlock... you don't say... seeing as I went to both of them in the first place for help with my PCOS/weight issue!!

    Oooooo! I've just noticed that MFP took out my swear word for me and replaced it with stars! How considerate! Lol!
  • maur52een
    maur52een Posts: 3 Member
    Hi LisaJayne71,

    I went to see the doctor myself and discovered that I was on the way to having a fatty liver! It is very scary. If I hurt my self on the out side I really take care, but I had never thought about the inside. What I couldn't see didn't worry me and it is a big deal according to my doctor because it is a symptom of the onset of diabeties. Please bare in mind that this is only shared information about my own concerns. The positive thing is that -and check this- with having a clean diet and self care the liver can regenerate itself.
    So I just took a deap breath and decided to try. I put on weight and yoyou too, and it is very hard when you love food as much as I do. My doctor has me seeing a dietician, but it is still hard, but I am feeling better with better food. The exericise is still a challenge. Any words of wisdom?

    Maur52
  • commit2change
    commit2change Posts: 17
    I personally did NOT have a fatty liver but can attest to what the ad is talking about because for years I was so sick with a skin rash on my arms that made them raw, had a pain in my stomach that felt like a bowling ball dropped in my stomach when I stood up and anytime I had a medical exam, physical relations etc... it was very painful.

    I remember hearing and reading Jon Baron say that although everyone speaks about a colon cleanse the most important thing to remember is a liver cleanse. I did a liver cleanse and it cost me all of $20.00 and within a week my pain was gone, the rash started going away as I had it for about 10 yars.. .... and is gone for good as my arms were raw like someone had taken a wire brush to them..

    The pain in my stomach has been gone for last 13 years. When I asked Dr. Brabahm what had happend he explained that my liver was swollen due to my having worked for Dupont for 5 years and inhaled all that pulverized coal and aluminum we used to create explosives.. I was their ingredient handler.

    Gone are my headaches, the rash the swollen stomach etc... and it never returned.

    Since I was injected with steroids in my neck due to an injury I thought I would try a liver cleanse and this lady at an herbal store told me she takes Himalaya Liver Care ( they did not have it at this store so she was not trying to sell me anything) as she was told by her doctor she had cirossis of the liver due to her being an alcoholic ( now 3 years clean) and drug user. She said I did everything except crack and heroine. This scared her into doing a liver cleanse someone told her to use this product and she returned for a 2nd check up and blood work and the doctor drew blood and she was called back for a 3rd blood test immediately. When she returned they asked her what she was doing as her liver enzymes were normal and they thought the 2nd test was a mistake but the 3rd blood test showed the same as 2nd ...normal liver enzyme count. She told him about the Himalaya Liver Care and he said keep on using it as it has restored your liver enzymes to normal and her liver was mending.

    All very interesting right ..until she said and I also dropped 75 pounds due to the use of this product and a change in my diet. It does NOT use milk thistle but rather some herbs grown in India.



    So I bought myself a bottle.

    When I go for my blood work it will be interesing to see what my test shows as I have started using this product too.

    Am not promoting this product nor do I financially gain by sharing this information but am merely replying to your question on a fatty liver.

    I also ordered Lean Care and Heart Care from this company which can be found online. WIll let you know how I do with all of these for my weight and cholesterol.

    If anyone else has used these products would love to hear what your experience has been with these products. You can write me at commit2change@aol.com

    My husband and I use herbs all the time. He even got rid of his asthma meds by simply using an herbal from WalMart. His pulmonary specialist told him same thing...keep on using it and he has been off all inhalers and meds for past 14 years.
  • HeatherDawn76
    HeatherDawn76 Posts: 2
    I see this thread hasn't been active for awhile but I too have a fatty liver. On Aug. 27th I was admitted through the ER and told I needed to have my gallbladder removed. For three days leading up to the ER visit I was having extreme pains all throughout my abdomen...I had had them before, now looking back at least 2 years ago is when I first remember the symptoms. At first, the pain would wake me up in the middle of the night, I had thought it was gas b/c after vomiting it would go away. This was the first time the pain stayed for days. I didn't (and still don't) have health insurance so I had actually taken myself to the ER on Thurs. and then thought about it, said the pain subsided and went home. Friday at work it was the same thing...so I wasn't going to take anymore chances. I was waiting for the doctor to come back & tell me there's nothing wrong...but oh how I was mistaken. He told me if I had waited I would be a much worse situation. So after being monitored for 2 days, they performed the surgery. I was informed I had Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. I was a bit taken back and surprised, but I am overweight and my diet was horrible. I have been overweight for the last 8 years and kept putting off getting in shape & healthy. Too many excuses, there was always a reason.

    Well, the doctor told me it was no longer a question of IF I want to loose weight, I MUST loose weight.

    Since then I have found this awesome site and logging everything has really helped! I didn't realize how bad my diet was until I had to see what I am/was eating. I'm still on restriction as far as exercising but I'm able to walk.....which is good! :o)

    I've researched a lot online about fatty liver disease and found the information to be quite helpful. It's nice to see / read that I'm not alone...we are all here for one reason or another but we have the same goal--to loose weight and be healthy again.

    :o) So that is my little introduction as to another member with Fatty Liver Disease :o)
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