Cirrhosis - how to tell severity?

Both my husband and myself are non-drinkers.  We do not smoke.  We are both obese and both have had biopsies that indicate cirrhosis.  The Doctors say it is NASH/Cirrhosis and say we should be tested every 6 months - 1 year for liver cancer.  1.  My husband has had a varicies problem wwith bleeding and had esophageal banding.  He still has a problem with fluid around the liver.  2.  The Dr. tells me I have chronic fatty liver - NASH/cirrhosis.  We have been sent on our way armed with only loose some weight/ don't drink and....make an app't for 6 mo to 1 year.  What should we be doing?  What questions should we be asking?  We're not stupid but can't seem to ask the right questions or get any answers that satisfy us.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

unfortunately this is a typical scenario we see.  In severe cases of obesity in which the liver disease is not too advanced, bariatric surgery could be considered.  your hushand's liver function would not allow this.  preventative measures such as monitoring for liver cancer is the way to go for now.  people with fatty liver may have a much higher risk for liver cancer.  weight loss indeed is the way to go although there are no good studies that have proven this will prevent the liver disease from reversing.

[Nonibdula]

I must also add that we do not have Hepatitis C.  My biopsy came about because the surgeon who was going to remove my gall bladder saw my liver's condition refused to do the surgery.  He sent me on to a specialist who did remove it and told me my liver looked to be in terrible shape.  When one of his residents questioned him further he claimed it was chronic and nothing could be done.  My husband found out about his when he went into the hospital as an emergency because of bleeding.

[cat33]

My understanding was that if you have cirrhosis you should be sent to a transplant center for eveluation. Or at least a hepatologist, even though you don't have hepatitis.
Didn't the Dr. who took out the gallbladder (seeing that the liver looked bad.) do a
biopsy? Good Luck to both of you.