You are going to think I’m crazy, but my first response when told I had fatty liver disease was,”Why should my liver be any different from the rest of my body?” No one told me what it was, the progression to cirrhosis, nothing! (Not at Mayo). That was about 20 yrs ago.
Then about 3 yrs ago I was diagnosed with cirrhosis. No symptoms. Feel great. Continued living in the same nonchalant manner, not really paying attention to my health. Now diagnosed with liver cancer April 2025. Funny how the “C” word suddenly changed my attitude.
My advice? Keep all your dr and scan appointments. No alcohol, no smoking. Low sodium healthy diet with plenty of fruits, veggies and protein.
Cirrhosis doesn’t have a lot of symptoms in the early stages, even if it continues to progress. Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) is one of the first visible symptoms. Could involve bleeding in esophagus, swelling in abdomen , nausea, vomiting pain in upper right quadrant of abdomen.
Don’t be afraid. I know that sounds crazy. But you can live a long time with cirrhosis. Talk to your doctor. Go to the Mayo videos. Educate yourself. You are your best advocate. Make a list of questions for your next appointment.
But mostly, be kind to yourself. Treat yourself to the love you deserve. Embrace life. I have decided that I am going to LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST as long as I am in the land of the living.
If you want it, mental health counseling can work wonders. I talk to a psychologist every two weeks to help me keep my head on straight. It has helped me tremendously
Good luck! Here’s a big hug coming your way!.

Good morning, the alarm is great! Great advice. But the best advice and the best piece of news for you is that fatty liver diseases reversible. A change in diet, exercise and stopping, drinking and smoking will reverse the effects depending on what stage of cirrhosis you were in. Far as I am concerned you are a lucky one and you can do something about this before it does something about you