Question:
I am 6wks post-op and still have severe back pain. Was OK pre-op. Any ideas?
It starts at the tailbone and slowly works its way up my entire back. Saw a surgeon and neurologist and they can't find anything wrong. Is it possible to get gallstones this quickly and how does it affect the back?? I have lost 60lbs in 40 days. Pls e-mail me with any input. Thanks and God Bless. Bill — William T. (posted on May 18, 2001)
May 17, 2001
Hi
i also suffered low back and tail bone pain early out it was from changes
in how i was sitting due to the surgery, Usually gall bladder strikes
higher up like at just below shoulder blades and up and goes clear thru
to front the tail bone pain sounds more structural if its severe keep
after dr to find reason
— BBD
May 18, 2001
That's a huge weight loss in an extremely short time. I have heard of
several other people experiencing back pain as they tried to realign the
way they carried their bodies; you have been compensating for the extra
weight, and it takes a while for the muscles and posture to catch up. Have
you thought about consulting a chiropractor or physical therapist to work
on posture and movement?
— kateseidel
May 18, 2001
Dear William, Back pain can also be cause by dehydration and mineral
imbalances, and also loss of muscle mass from rapid weight loss with
inadequate protein. Losing weight as rapidly as you are, it is likely you
are at very high risk of all three. Be extra careful to get your water,
multi-vitamin/multi-mineral, calcium, magnesium, and protein in every day.
The shifting around does also cause temporary pain for some people, but
what is even more common is that in the early post-op days we're so tired
and sore we tend to be still for too long--vegging in front of the TV, etc.
This can lead to weakness, stiffness,and more lost muscle mass, all of
which add to the problem. So get up and move gently around, being sure to
gently stretch the painful areas often. Try warm packs to the sore spots.
If no relief, see your MD to rule out unusual causes, and also for a
physical therapy consult, because PT can really help.. Pool therapy, for
example, is great! Best wishes!!--Jesse
— Jesse M.
May 18, 2001
My back was killing me after my surgery. It turned out that the doctor had
me lay on this "hump" during surgery to keep my passages opened.
I think thats what caused all my back pain. Poor sleeping and sleeping on
my recliner I am sure prolonged it. My pain, as I remember it, was more in
the upper back...Dont know if this helps.
— Jeannet
May 18, 2001
The weight shift does make since. When I lost my first 100 lbs, my gait was
off and I was staggering some. Luckly, no one questioned my sobriety at
work(LOL). But it got better over time. Another thing may be the way you
were postioned on the OR table. Also, you may have pulled something in your
lower back immediately after surgery. Getting in and out of bed is not a
pleasant experience post op.
— Jan M.
May 19, 2001
I don't think it's anything you're doing. You need to check with your
surgeon. Women who have had babies using epidural anesthesia sometimes have
spinal pain for weeks or months because of the epidural. (This is one of my
fears about surgery and I'm going to ask if it's possible to avoid the
epidural). This pain is caused because the opening to the spine caused by
the epidural needle can allow small amounts of spinal fluid to leak. Go to
google.com and do a search on epidural side effects or lumbar puncture side
effects. The pain does eventually go away for most people and I hope it
does for you too. Good luck. Great weight loss by the way!
— Julia Z.
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