1. < Transplants

4 years post liver transplant and need to lose weight

Posted by alh4 @alh4, Nov 18 11:57pm

Hello! I received a liver transplant in 2020 from a living donor , my daughter. Basically, have done extremely well. Did have colon resection a year ago. Completed a year of Evenity which is believed to have elevated my liver enzymes but is improving.
As of now , I need to lose weight. Transplant sent me to obesity clinic. Basically, the dr suggested surgery, protein drinks, phenterine or injections
and a 1000 calorie a day. The pills would not be good with high blood pressure. Surgery not appropriate. Basically, I’m trying to reduce sugar intake and eat more protein. I am trying to research the injection of Lipo Mino. It differs from the semiglutide which my transplant dr suggested. I worry about the side effects on that one. I welcome input ! I need to
Lose pounds to keep my donated liver healthy! Thank you !

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

parrot53 | @parrot53 | Nov 20 5:53am

Many of us struggle with weight. I am convinced a plant based diet is the way to go. Forks over Knives has a great site you can peruse.
https://www.forksoverknives.com/success-stories/overcoming-liver-disease-cirrhosis-plant-based-diet/
That said, I am struggling to change my diet too. Seems small plant based meals, high in protein to prevent muscle loss is beneficial to cirrhosis patients. Best of luck to you.

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Nov 21 1:34pm

@alh4, I want to commend you for following up on your doctor's recommendation for you to lose some pounds to keep your donated liver healthy. 🤍 Weight gain and loss is something that we all have to be concerned about, especially before and after our organ transplant. Myself, I had to gain after my transplant surgery and had to be very careful to not gain too much. I continue to be aware of what I eat. I also know that as a transplant recipient, I place special importance on a balanced diet. When I find my weight going up, I pull my Mayo Clinic Diet Book for review. I bought the book in the gift shop at Mayo during one of my early annual check-ups. I like to refer to the Mayo Diet plan because it is a Healthy Eating Plan rather that a traditional diet. It emphasizes portion sizes, food choices for nutrition, meal planning, and activity.

I can understand why you don't want to add any pills to those that you are already taking. Have you discussed the pros and cons of the plan that the obesity clinic recommended with your transplant doctor? I also wonder why are you looking into a different injection (Lipo Mino)? I cannot find any research to support it. In fact, all that I see are links to sites promoting its use. I would be afraid, especially as a transplant recipient, to try anything that is not approved by my transplant team. If you decide to go this route - please check with the transplant team first!

Mayo Clinic has a link in its Healthy Lifestyle section about Weight Loss. I am including the link to the site, and I do encourage you to read it for information to help you make a decision about a diet plan that might work for you. It contains topics like - Weight-loss basics, Diet plans, The Mayo Clinic Diet, Diet and exercise, Diet pills, supplements and surgery.

@alh4, I wish you all the best with your new journey. Will your daughter be accompanying and supporting you along the way?

REPLY
1 reply
alh4 | @alh4 | Nov 21 5:32pm
In reply to @rosemarya "@alh4, I want to commend you for following up on your doctor's recommendation for you to..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@alh4, I want to commend you for following up on your doctor's recommendation for you to lose some pounds to keep your donated liver healthy. 🤍 Weight gain and loss is something that we all have to be concerned about, especially before and after our organ transplant. Myself, I had to gain after my transplant surgery and had to be very careful to not gain too much. I continue to be aware of what I eat. I also know that as a transplant recipient, I place special importance on a balanced diet. When I find my weight going up, I pull my Mayo Clinic Diet Book for review. I bought the book in the gift shop at Mayo during one of my early annual check-ups. I like to refer to the Mayo Diet plan because it is a Healthy Eating Plan rather that a traditional diet. It emphasizes portion sizes, food choices for nutrition, meal planning, and activity.

I can understand why you don't want to add any pills to those that you are already taking. Have you discussed the pros and cons of the plan that the obesity clinic recommended with your transplant doctor? I also wonder why are you looking into a different injection (Lipo Mino)? I cannot find any research to support it. In fact, all that I see are links to sites promoting its use. I would be afraid, especially as a transplant recipient, to try anything that is not approved by my transplant team. If you decide to go this route - please check with the transplant team first!

Mayo Clinic has a link in its Healthy Lifestyle section about Weight Loss. I am including the link to the site, and I do encourage you to read it for information to help you make a decision about a diet plan that might work for you. It contains topics like - Weight-loss basics, Diet plans, The Mayo Clinic Diet, Diet and exercise, Diet pills, supplements and surgery.

@alh4, I wish you all the best with your new journey. Will your daughter be accompanying and supporting you along the way?

Jump to this post

Thank you for your responses. Since my post I messaged my transplant dr. It’s a no to the Lipo Mino …
Yesterday, I had a virtual visit with a NP at the Obesity clinic. Options for meds… topomax, metformin, and the phentermine was discussed.
Of course, I had rather not with the meds. As of now increase protein intake 75-90, carbs under a 100, 100 oz water is the plan along with exercise and weights.
I have tried some intermittent fasting and that does seem to help shed a few pounds.
I will check out the link to Mayo! Thank you!

REPLY
1 reply
mkh | @mkhogan | Dec 6 7:10am
In reply to @alh4 "Thank you for your responses. Since my post I messaged my transplant dr. It’s a no..." + (show)
@alh4

Thank you for your responses. Since my post I messaged my transplant dr. It’s a no to the Lipo Mino …
Yesterday, I had a virtual visit with a NP at the Obesity clinic. Options for meds… topomax, metformin, and the phentermine was discussed.
Of course, I had rather not with the meds. As of now increase protein intake 75-90, carbs under a 100, 100 oz water is the plan along with exercise and weights.
I have tried some intermittent fasting and that does seem to help shed a few pounds.
I will check out the link to Mayo! Thank you!

Jump to this post

I am 4 years post transplant. I have diabetes as result of liver transplant, but no medic dependent anymore. I recently put on 15 pounds a struggling to lose it. I saw endonocrology at last yearly recently. My dr. Stated I could go on a glp1 med like ozempic. He would prescribe for weight loss. Not the diabetes which I assume will be out of pocket cost. He said I can also look at farxiga which will offer weight support as well as help kidneys. I have stable stage 3 CKD. I lose less weight with farxigo of course, but does help support weight loss. I am curious if anyone in the transplant group has had experience with ozempic. I am thinking which route would be best. I am considering a jump start w ozempic a then moving to farxiga perhaps more long term. Looking for advise. I did tell my transplant Dr also about the endonocrology appt. He didn't comm that it was a no. Both Dr work in transplant
department. Any insight is appreciated

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 6 9:10am
In reply to @mkhogan "I am 4 years post transplant. I have diabetes as result of liver transplant, but no..." + (show)
@mkhogan

I am 4 years post transplant. I have diabetes as result of liver transplant, but no medic dependent anymore. I recently put on 15 pounds a struggling to lose it. I saw endonocrology at last yearly recently. My dr. Stated I could go on a glp1 med like ozempic. He would prescribe for weight loss. Not the diabetes which I assume will be out of pocket cost. He said I can also look at farxiga which will offer weight support as well as help kidneys. I have stable stage 3 CKD. I lose less weight with farxigo of course, but does help support weight loss. I am curious if anyone in the transplant group has had experience with ozempic. I am thinking which route would be best. I am considering a jump start w ozempic a then moving to farxiga perhaps more long term. Looking for advise. I did tell my transplant Dr also about the endonocrology appt. He didn't comm that it was a no. Both Dr work in transplant
department. Any insight is appreciated

Jump to this post

@mkhogan, No experience to share with you. However, you are very fortunate to have your doctors from endonocrology and transplant working together.
I will be waiting and watching for our members to join this converation and offer their insights. In the meantime, while you are consideringboth options, start a list of your concerns so that you can have a serious conversation with the medical team.
Is there a time frame for you to decide? When do you have your next appointment?

REPLY
mkh | @mkhogan | Dec 6 11:50am

No time frame. My endocrinologistjust went over options and told me to think about it. We talked about just getting back to my exercising and better eating, which i got sloppy aboit. Even if I choose meds, the lifestyle has to get back to what I had been doing
for any lasting improvement

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