Is metabolic surgery safe for a person with liver cirrhosis?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been struggling with obesity for years, and it is seriously impacting my health. I now have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and, most recently, I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. I have tried diets, exercise, and medications, but nothing has worked long-term.

I have been reading about metabolic surgery, like gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, and I am wondering if that could be a viable option for me. I am concerned about how my liver condition might affect the safety of the surgery and whether cirrhosis would disqualify me or increase my risk of complications. Would the surgery help improve my liver function or slow its decline? What kind of pre-operative assessments would I need, and would this type of procedure be done differently because of my liver disease? I want to take control of my weight and health, but I want to make sure it is safe to move forward. Can you help guide me through this?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

I understand that you are highly motivated to take care of your glycemic status, liver cirrhosis, hypertension, as well as obesity, and that you have tried medication for it. Since, despite these efforts, you have not had great results, bariatric surgery is something that you should consider.

As with everything else, there are risks involved with this type of surgery as well, but the odds of it are rare. Get in touch with a qualified surgeon to discuss this in person. I counsel my patients before bariatric surgery that short-term results will be great, but to truly achieve long-term results, you need to keep your motivation high and have a disciplined exercise schedule as well as a good diet pattern. But all in all, bariatric surgery is your chance at a good and great life, just for patients like you.

Usually post surgery, patient get discharged from the hospital in a day or two. Bariatric surgery leads to weight loss, which is central to reverse liver cirrhosis and an improved liver function. Pre-operatively you may have to be put on liver shrinkage diet, and you will be explained about it.

Kindly consult a specialist doctor, talk with them, and take medications with their consent.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.