Hi all, I'm just about to go through a liver resection hopefully in early June. Just wondered if anyone could share their experiences and also what I should be expecting in terms of recovery times and hospital stays if possible, or even what questions I need to ask.
Denise

Hi Wobblymoo,

Have a look at these sites.

http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page =4914

http://www.livercancer.com/treatments/surgery.html

Best wishes

Hi Denise

Sorry it took me so long to answer your question. I had the right lobe of my liver removed in January 2001. I was diagnosed with carcinoid syndrome in September 2000.

I spent 10 days in hospital fairly uneventfully after such a big operation. I was off work for 12 weeks after which I returned to work part for the first few weeks.

Not sure how much other info I can give you as every one is different in terms of recovery etc.

Happy to answer any other specifics if I can.

Hope all goes well for you

Barbara

Thanks Barbara and to the lady that emailed me off the list, I will ring just really hectic at the moment trying to organise the other half and kids lol.
I have chatted to the surgoen now so I'm a lot clearer on what's going to happen, just need a when now
Denise

Just to let everyone know, my resection has been postponed with a view to having another embolisation first, can't say I'm overly happy but they are not sure they will leave me with enough liver function at the moment so I have to take that route.
Thanks
Denise

Hi Denise

I am new to this but I would like to say that I has liver resection last year and had about 75% of my liver removed. Prior to the main op I had embolization this is very imprtant has it does give you much more liver function prior to the resection and will make the operation more successful.
My operation though techniclay difficult went well and I recoverd over several weeks. Please contact me if you need more informatio.

Andy

Thanks Andy, at least I know it may possibly still be done
Denise

I had my embolisation on Tuesday and the radiologist gave me the impression that a resection wasn't going to happen, or at least the risks would be too great. I'm not seeing the liver surgeon again until 11th November so will do some research into other options before then.
Denise

Denise,
Hello. I am 35 yo female who had a liver resection (right lobe) 11 weeks ago. I had a giant hemmangioma ( a benign tumor) and 2 smaller ones as well. It was a big surgery to have, but all went well. I live in South Florida and we have a liver transplant team here that did the procedure. I was a bit shocked at the size of the scar I am left with (being a former fitness model) and with the long recovery time. I began to drive a couple of weeks ago just to work part time and now they want me to stop driving for 2 more weeks. I teach yoga, personal traning and am a police officer, so active is my middle name ( or I guess was). This procedure has drained all of my energy, so if you have to have it done, plan for a long recovery. Nobody really prepared me for that and I wish they would have. I hope this helps. MK

I am having liver resection of right lobe 9 July 2007 and this is the first time I have found out anything useful. I have a billary cystadenoma ~Thank you for all your information.

michelle
Hello Michelle - I found your post when I was looking for information on Liver Resection recovery. I am 45 years and have a giant hemmangioma that is 22cm x 21cm x12cm. I am scheduled for surgery in Nov. Can you please tell me more about your procedure? How big was yours? I am a bit nervous and any info would be helpful. Thanks

Hello Joy - I'm fairly new to the internet and delighted to find this website. I had a liver resection in 1989 so this may be somewhat out of date; but here it is for what it's worth. Do ask any doctor or nurse for anything at all you want to know (however small). It's obviously a big op and my scar is what they call 'mercedes' right across just under the ribs and a little bit up towards the breastbone. This may well have been refined since then. Obviously there will be post op pain, but I had a constant drip with painkiller injected automatically at regulated intervals - possibly now you could have one of those self-controlled pumps? I was quite tired for several weeks afterwards so plan for lots of light reading or telly watching or whatever you like best to do. Go for little walks when you feel well enough and gradually increase the distance. Don't be afraid to thank your friends and family for visiting as say 'I'm really tired now, would you mind leaving me to sleep. While you're in hospital ask someone to co-ordinate visiting so you don't have too many one day and none the next. I hope this is some help and doesn't sound too daunting. The long term after effects on your health are worth the discomfort.
Sylvia

Sylvia Hunt
Hello Sylvia: My wife underwent right hepatic lobectomy at age 63 for polycystic liver disease in October of 2005. Although her liver function tests are normal, she still has not regained her strength, and this is extremely frustrating to her. In addition, the chevron incision remains painful on a daily basis, particularly with body motion, after meals or even when just going to the bathroom. To make matters worse, I'm a surgeon and can't really explain why she has failed to make a more-complete recovery to this point in time. Any words of advice or encouragement would certainly be most appreciated./Steve Sapkin

Hello Steven'
I'm really sorry to hear that your wife is sill having problems following surgery. The more so because I don't think I have any help to offer. I had a look through my journal and see that it did take a very long time to regain strength and I was eventally advised to retire from work altogether, but this was probably a lot to do with the fatigue associated with carcinoid and that I have a mild degree of MS. Apart from usual post op pain I don't recall anything else apart from slight adhesions which were successfully dealt with later. It couldn't be possible that somethng has been stitched too tightly or something like that? That suggestion probably just shows my ignorance!! The only thing that bears any resemblance is from bowel surgery many years previously when I sneezed violently post op and think I must have slightly torn something and the pain continued until several months later when after further surgery using the same scar this must have been repaired because there was no further pain. I don't expect this is much help to you or your wife but it is all I have to offer. I found great difficulty and frutration at being classed 'disabled' and on permanent invalidity but eventually found there were all sorts of things I could get involved in as and when I felt able - including a computer course which has now led me to the internet and this terrific site. I can only imagine how you feel as a surgeon unable to help your own wife and will pray that you will soon find a solution to the problem and 2008 will be a better year for you. All the best
Sylvia

I am 40 years old and seem to be in a similar situation. I have a very large hemangioma and will most likely need liver resection in the next few weeks. I am a single mom and have 5 children and am very active I'm concerned about recovery time and time off from work. As trivial as this may sound, I can only afford to be off for so long as disability pay is very little. I'd appreciate any insight you may have.
Thank you,Debbie