Not obsessed

[Lam1e]

Hi all

I know I keep mentioning the importance of seeing a dietitian, but to me they are an integral part of my liver team! They really helped me and due to complications post transplant I could not eat at all (not even a brussel sprout on Christmas Day) and had to be fed with an NG tube they were great constantly re calculating calories and timings and then when I could eat making sure I was getting all the calories in to help me gain the weight I needed! They may not be for everyone, and other people’s experience may differ, but i would say if a dietitian referral is offered, do consider it👍🙏

[bintcliffe]

Hi There, I am glad you brought this topic up I have finally after 2.5 years been referred to a dietician I have compensated liver cirrhosis and my weight is on the increase which is getting me down I also feel that part of your recovery should be good nutritional advice, I wish you well with your recovery.

Hayley X

[Laura009]

Don't even wait for the referral to be offered .... ask for it ?

L x

[AyrshireK]

We asked about seeing dietician in April 2012 when hubby was first diagnosed with cirrhosis - his local consultant said "Oh, you are away ahead of us!" and that was the last we heard of it.

When hubby was thereafter referred to Edinburgh (June 2013), at first appointment he was sent through to see the liver specialist dietician who did a full work up and announced that hubby was malnourished and suffering muscle wastage (he was 8 1/2 stone at 5ft 6 or so). Dietician immediately put him onto an eating plan to try to build him up and regain muscle which he did (getting to 11 stone which transplant team were delighted with & he also regained muscle).

He was put on supplement drinks whilst listed for transplant but gradually weaned off them and GP no longer wanted to prescribe them (due to cost).

We saw a 'dietician' in the GP surgery and I use the term for her very loosely - her suggestion for replacing the calories of the now no longer prescribed Ensure was "add more sugar to your drinks" and "if you are having 1 biscuit, have 2 instead". Thankfully we knew not to follow this advice and my god are we glad not to have done because earlier this year hubby was diagnosed with cirrhosis induced diabetes. Local GP advice to manage this was "lose weight, stop drinking and exercise more!"

I immediately recontacted the liver specialist dietician in Edinburgh who gave us a half hour telephone consultation and was able to advise fully on what hubby should do to manage both conditions together in light of the fact we don't want him to lose weight, he has never drank and he does as much exercise as his cirrhosis allows & he still needs to fuel and prevent muscle wastage.

A good dietician is worth their weight in gold so I whole heartedly agree, in order to help manage your liver disease (at whatever stage it is) you must ask to see a dietician and preferably one who has knowledge of liver issues.

Katie

[cammeag]

I seen three dieticians while in hospital and honestly, the best they could do was give me the leaflet Diet and Liver Disease. I was a wreck. I had no idea of menu plans and calories, trans saturated fats( thought it was an airline😬) or cholesterol. Everything I have learned and where I have got to is through prayer and being pigheaded enough to not give up and get as much info as you can.

I can now, 14 months down the line easily eat 3000 calories a day. Have 103g of protein plus a day. Keep fats below 35% of total calorie intake.

Lots of alcoholics die of malnutrition because dieticians are not giving them proper health and food plans and also its expensive to eat this way so a lot fall back to microwave and two for one deals that are laden with too much salt and sugar and taste disgusting anyway!

If you’ve found a good dietician you’ve found a nugget my friend but as for this ignoramus, I shall keep my own counsel. My daily diet plans are available FREE OF CHARGE if anyone wants. Keep on learning and living folks that’s why our Creator gave us brains, and for those who can’t help themselves, you help them!!

[Kristian]

Here, here. Seeing the dieticians before and after transplant was really helpful for me too. I very much echo what you say. If you have the opportunity to utilise their services i would always recommend to do so.

[Hidden]

Good morning Lam1e,

Thank you for sharing your positive experience.

A specialist dietitian can prove invaluable. They have access to your medical records and are able to advise and support you as an individual, taking all your medical history into consideration to create a safe, personalised plan.

Best wishes,

Trust9