Good diet

[craigspooky]

Hi all. Thanks to all the fantastic messages of support (too many lovely people to mention individually) I am now coming to terms with the news that I am going to need a transplant. When I saw my consultant earlier in the week, he said that whilst I wasn't much overweight, I couldn't really afford to gain any more. I am just under 14st and ideally would like to get down to about 12 and a 1/2. Have any of you kind people got any tips for a beneficial diet. I can't get to see the dietician for a couple of months. I really want to lose some weight and try to get a bit fitter. Thank you so much and sorry if I am rambling a bit. Hope everyone is doing well 👍👍

[Hidden]

Hi I don't think you should go on a strict diet but try drink plenty of water try to have just 2 slices of bread in a day. Lean meats lots of veg stir frys are nice cooked in fry lite. Jacket potato instead of chips if you like chocolate cut down. Also lots of fruit lovely whilst it's hot. Good Luck x

[craigspooky in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Luckily I like fruit. I was going to start making fruit shakes with semi skimmed milk, loads of fruit all blended up??

[TT-2018 in reply to craigspooky]

I ate plenty of fruit, with my decompensated liver. I sincerely believe that it made a positive difference. I was suffering with HE and was on lactulose and refaxamin, it helped cutting down on the lactulose. I also saw a dietician and kept the Consultants informed about my diet.

Be wary of trying to lose weight, you might be gaining it from fluid retention but actually be malnourished. Try and eat plenty of carbohydrates and protein, whole meal bread, pasta etc and avoid processed foods and anything salty.

[AyrshireK]

I wouldn't be rushing to lose weight if you are going to be assessed for transplant. When my hubby was assessed the surgeon and anaesthetist both told him they'd rather he be above normal BMI than below it - this due to the amount of weight you lose during any period of hospitalization and recovery. (He'd previously been deemed malnourished and was put on the high carb/high protein diet plus supplements in order to put more weight on).

I'd wait until you are assessed before going dieting - you will see a liver specialist dietician as part of your assessment and they will guide what you will need to do with regards to your diet and being an appropriate weight for listing & waiting. (There is every chance that as your liver becomes more poorly you will lose weight).

All the best, hope you don't wait too long for your assessment.

Katie

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

Great reply Katie ! X

[Lam1e]

We are all different and I had become very thin so I needed high protein so I was eating full fat everything, I would say have the best quality and healthy food you can and stop fizzy and sugary things if you can. I walked as much as I was able to, but you also need your rest. Swimming is good and I am lucky to live by the sea so can swim in it, certainly post transplant going into indoor pools is not recommended. My liver nurse is keen to start what she calls Prehab, getting yourself into as best health as you can. Get friends and family to do exercise with you if you can. Don’t overdo it though.

As they say “you’ve got this”👍

I am seven and a half months post transplant so it’s all quite fresh and new to me, it’s almost a year since I had my transplant assessment. My assessment and transplant were both at Kings though I live in the SW., where with the guidance of the medical team we have set up a little local Liver Buddy group. if you have anything generic you would like to know feel free to ask, but also this is great for support.

Lesley

[craigspooky in reply to Lam1e]

Thank you xx

[Millie09 in reply to Lam1e]

How wonderful Lesley !

Great post and info ! I’m not on transplant list , I’m 12 yrs on with cirrhosis compensated , I too was terribly thin I. 2008 and needed very high protein diet , it has now changed to normal intake but struggle now with acid reflux.

May you continue to gain strength Lesley

Love Linda

[Hidden]

As the members have said, it is really important to get safe diet guidance from your medical team, could you perhaps try to contact the consultant?

We are really glad you are finding the forum supportive. Take care

[Epolenep]

Definitely eat healthier but as other posters have said it won’t hurt to go in to hospital with a spare few pounds you won’t have them when you come out

[CarpeDiem11]

Maybe just swap unhealthy things for healthier ones. So replace white bread with Heart of Nature pure grain bread. It is better to eat fruit rather than blend it and drink it. Blended fruit drinks give you a sugar spike, whereas eating the fruit forces you to take your time chewing it properly and thus you will consume less. Fruits contain a lot of sugars and no matter how much people tell you " it's natural", sugar is sugar and should be eaten in moderation!! The podcast "The Doctor's Kitchen" has some great advice for eating healthier if you enjoy podcasts.

[Huggy7614]

Hi Craig,

Before transplant I was 14st, after transplant, the day before I came out of hosp I was 12st 1 and looked skin and bones. I lost 2st in 9 days!!!

I agree that it’s more important to get good dietician advice before trying to lose weight. I’m now 13 1/2 st one year on and back where I should be.

Good luck with it all.

Andy

[Steak]

Hi i agree with all the good advice u have been given. I lost loads of weight b4 my transplant mainly due 2 having no appetite. After transplant I became a diabetic so now have 2 be careful what 1 eat. I include fruit in my diet and don't have 2 much bread and potatoes mainly have lots of vegetables. When u have ur assessment u will c a dietician who can advise accordingly and also after transplant. Good luck with ur assessment and stay safe and well in the meantime.

[KatoombaNSW]

Hi,Craig. It is different for everyone,but found the intermittent fasting method the easiest and quickest..The idea is simple : You fast for a period of 14-16 hours every day, including your sleep time..The remaining 8-10 hours a day,you can eat whatever you wish,as long as it is low fat and low sugar.. During the fasting period you can have tea or coffee,and water,of course..You will see weekly weight loss of about 2 kilos per month,if you can also include mild exercises to your day..Good luck.. Matteo

[AyrshireK in reply to KatoombaNSW]

Fasting is an absolute no no for someone with cirrhosis, your body is already consuming your muscle for fuel and if you fast and don't fuel this process will be speeded up. People with cirrhosis - particularly those who are likely to need transplant need to eat every 2-3 hours avoiding long fasting periods and even need to eat a big supper to last through the night. The body will not burn fat like someone who is traditionally dieting, it will burn muscle as it is a quicker process.

When you eat starchy carbohydrate it is broken down into sugar (glucose). This is your body’s main energy source. Some of this energy is stored in your muscles and liver as a starch called glycogen. This is a back-up energy store to be used later when it is needed, between meals, if you have missed a meal or during a long fast such as overnight.

The liver co-ordinates the release of this energy until you next have something to eat; these energy stores are then replaced at your next meal. If the liver is not working properly and you develop liver disease symptoms, the liver cannot replace this store.

The energy from the food you eat only lasts for 2 hours. If you have liver disease and have no energy stores, your body must find an alternative source of energy after this time. Fat tissue is hard to break down quickly, so instead your body will break down its own muscles for energy. If this continues, your muscles will get weaker and waste away.

Advice re. fasting could be really dangerous for someone with advanced cirrhosis and it's why the rest of us are saying to hold off and wait for a specialist dietician to advise what is appropriate for this individual's needs. It's not been established whether he even needs to lose weight at this point as you normally need a 'reserve' when going through transplant.

Katie

[craigspooky in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you Katie. I would never have fasted as the advice I was first given told me to eat regularly to slow down the muscle wastage. Thanks to all for the kindness and support. This is truly a wonderful site and makes you feel part of a family xx

[Hidden]

Katie is absolutely correct in what she says. You could get into all kinds of problems if you fast. Specialist advice from a dietician is crucial in the management of liver disease

regards