My Unexpected Journey with Fatty Liver Disease

It all started with a dull ache on my right side that wouldn’t go away. At first, I ignored it, thinking it was just a passing issue—maybe I had slept in a weird position or strained a muscle. But after a few weeks, the pain became sharper and more persistent. It wasn’t debilitating, but it was enough to make me uneasy, and I knew something wasn’t quite right. After putting it off for too long, I finally decided to see my doctor.

My primary care physician, Dr. Radik, was as calm as always. He ordered a round of blood tests, thinking it was probably just some digestive issue. A few days later, I got the call. “Your liver enzymes are elevated,” he said. Elevated liver enzymes? I didn’t even know what that meant at the time. Dr. Radik explained that elevated enzymes can indicate liver damage, but the cause wasn’t immediately clear. He referred me to a specialist, Dr. Otieno, a hepatologist with years of experience in treating liver conditions.

When I first met Dr. Otieno, I was anxious, but he put me at ease right away. He explained that elevated liver enzymes can be caused by a variety of things—he mentioned fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and a few other conditions that sounded pretty scary to me. He was thorough but also reassuring, making it clear that we needed more tests to figure out what was going on with my liver.

"First up was an ultrasound to check the structure of my liver."

I was pretty nervous about the ultrasound. I knew it was a basic, non-invasive procedure, but I was anxious about what it might reveal. The scan showed some fat accumulation in my liver, but Dr. Otieno told me that it wasn’t enough to make a definitive diagnosis. Next on the list was a liver biopsy. I’ll be honest—I was terrified at the thought of someone sticking a needle into my liver. Would it hurt? Would I be awake for it? Dr. Otieno patiently explained that the procedure would be quick, and I’d only feel a pinch. He wasn’t wrong—the biopsy was over before I knew it, and while it wasn’t fun, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d feared.

After waiting what felt like an eternity, the biopsy results came back: fatty liver disease. I was both relieved and overwhelmed. On one hand, I was glad it wasn’t something worse like autoimmune hepatitis, which could’ve meant a lifetime of medication. On the other hand, I now had a chronic condition that needed to be managed.

Dr. Otieno explained that while fatty liver disease can lead to serious complications if left untreated, it can also be reversed with the right lifestyle changes. The key was weight loss, a balanced diet, and regular exercise. He emphasized that this wasn’t about going on some crash diet but rather making sustainable, long-term changes to improve my liver health.

I left his office determined but also a little unsure of how I was going to pull it off. Like most people, I had tried to lose weight before but never really stuck with it. But this time, I had a clear reason to succeed—it wasn’t just about fitting into smaller clothes; it was about my liver, my health, and ultimately, my life.

The first step was cleaning up my diet. I met with a nutritionist, Juno, who was just as supportive as Dr. Otieno. She laid out a plan that was actually manageable—lots of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, and cutting way back on sugars and processed foods. It wasn’t revolutionary advice, but it was what I needed. The hardest part for me was giving up fried foods. I’d always been the type to grab a quick meal from a fast food joint on busy days, but I knew that had to change.

I started meal-prepping on Sundays, making batches of healthy meals to eat throughout the week. It was a game-changer. Knowing I had something nutritious waiting for me in the fridge made it easier to resist the temptation of fast food. I also replaced sugary drinks with water and herbal teas.

"That was another tough one—my morning iced coffee, loaded with sugar, had to go."

Exercise was another mountain to climb. I wasn’t the most active person, and the thought of going to the gym intimidated me. So, I started small. At first, I’d just go for short walks around my neighborhood, slowly increasing the distance. Eventually, I worked my way up to more intense workouts like cycling and weightlifting. I even signed up for a yoga class, which not only helped my body but also did wonders for my stress levels.

Over the next several months, I noticed subtle but significant changes. I felt lighter—not just physically, but mentally too. My energy levels went up, and I didn’t feel as sluggish as before. And the best part? My follow-up tests showed that my liver enzymes were dropping.

"Slowly but surely, my liver was recovering."

Dr. Otieno was thrilled with my progress, and so was I. I had lost about 20 pounds over six months, and while the weight loss was great, the real victory was knowing that my liver was healing. My journey isn’t over, though. I still have to be mindful of what I eat and make sure to stay active. Fatty liver disease doesn’t just go away—you have to keep working at it. But the difference is, now I know I can do it.

Looking back, I’m grateful for that initial discomfort that pushed me to seek help. Fatty liver disease was a diagnosis I never saw coming, but it taught me more about my body and my health than I ever imagined. If you’re reading this and facing a similar situation, know that it’s not the end of the world. It’s a challenge, yes, but it’s one you can overcome. All it takes is patience, persistence, and the willingness to make the necessary changes for a healthier future.