We are thrilled to be among the first in the Tucson area to offer FibroScan® technology to our patients!
FibroScan is a non-invasive way to measure liver stiffness and gather additional data about your liver health. You might be wondering what the connection is to bariatrics and why we’re so excited to have this tech at our fingertips. You may not have thought a lot about your liver, but it’s an important organ to assess before surgery.
Fatty liver disease is a common condition linked to obesity, often developing silently without noticeable symptoms. Recently renamed metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), this condition affects roughly one in three adults worldwide and is especially prevalent among people with type 2 diabetes or severe obesity.1 (It used to be called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD.)
It begins with fat accumulation inside liver cells but doesn’t immediately disrupt function. The liver can adapt for a time, but in about 10–20% of cases, inflammation worsens, progressing to metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH). As the body attempts to repair the damage, scar tissue forms (fibrosis). Advanced scarring, or cirrhosis, can reshape the liver entirely and raise the risk of liver cancer.2
What does this mean for bariatric patients? Excess fat in the liver can complicate surgery and recovery, but it’s also a signal of underlying metabolic dysfunction that affects the whole body.
To learn more about fatty liver disease, including the connection to metabolic disease, the cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal tract, as well as your risk profile, click here.
The encouraging news is that weight loss through lifestyle changes and bariatric surgery can significantly improve liver function, reduce inflammation, and even reverse early scarring. But you have to be proactive and catch it before it progresses too far.
FibroScan® is a quick, painless, and non-invasive test that gives your care team a clear picture of your liver health. As a categorically gold standard for liver assessment, it works by sending a small pulse of energy through the skin and into your liver. The way your liver responds to that pulse tells us about its stiffness (scarring or fibrosis) and fat content (steatosis).
The test takes only about 5-10 minutes. You’ll lie on your back with your right arm raised while a gel is applied to your skin. A probe is placed between your ribs, and you may feel a gentle vibration as the measurements are taken. Nothing enters your body, there’s no recovery time, and results are available immediately. Most insurance plans cover the exam, making it an accessible option for many patients.
FibroScan® can be used in both adults and children, and it works well across all body types. Because it’s non-invasive and easy to tolerate, it’s a safe option for almost everyone, including pregnant patients and those with pacemakers or other implanted medical devices.
The test is especially valuable for people who may be at higher risk of fatty liver disease, including those who have:
For bariatric patients, FibroScan® provides essential information before surgery, helping to identify hidden risks, improve surgical planning, and track improvements in liver health after weight loss.
Preparing for your FibroScan® procedure is simple. For the most accurate results:
That’s it! The test itself is quick and easy, and you’ll get your results right away. Our team at Higa Bariatrics will go over what they mean and answer any questions you may have.
