Back Pain Before/After DS

Hello all, I'm scheduled for DS within a month and one item that I'm exceedingly curious on is back pain.  I have a BMI of 71 and currently weigh about 590lbs.  For the last 18 months, I've been having increasingly difficult times standing and walking to the point where I can only stand about 5 minutes currently before the pain is too great in my lower back and I'm forced to sit.

My nurses and surgeons have told me that this will subside greatly and I'll go on to normal walking/standing with minimal back pain.  I've had MRIs/X-rays and everything is normal, I've been told my center of gravity is off to because of the inordinate amount of weight bearing down on my frame, hunching it forward.

So has anyone else been through this and how much has it improved?  I appreciate all the insight as I'm truly terrified of not regaining mobility and that's what has been the primary driving factor for my surgery.

Thanks!

I had back surgery on 2004 and the DS in 2007. I gained much of the weight after back surgery and some pain had started coming back. Since having the DS my back pain is minimal. Wishing you all the best on your surgery and recovery.

--gina

I had three crushed vertebrae at an early age that healed but it has caused me Degenerative Disk Disease.  I was told from a chiropractor that I have the back of a 70 year old. When I gained over a 100 pounds this last three years and got up to 340 pounds it became difficult to function or walk. I was almost crippled. I could only stand for 15 minutes at a time. I could only walk short distances before the pain became too great. So I could not wash dishes, work out, sit for long, lay down for long, stand for long without horrible pain. 

Since the DS I have lost 70 pounds and my whole life has changed. I can now walk about a mile and a half and stand for a couple of hours. As the weight goes down so does my ability to function. So the answer is yes. When your weight decreases you will be able to stand and walk again. Especially if there is nothing wrong with your back at this time. Your weight alone is too much for your poor spine to handle. As the weight decreases things will get better. 

My pain has decreased although it will always be there. I can now sleep through the night as well...before I could not. 

IRISH NURSE WOW I had to check the name of the poster to make sure it wasn't me. LOL I also have degenerative disk disease and was told I have the back of a 70 year old.  I take so many pain meds it isn't even funny.  So I am so glad to hear you say that with the weight loss you feel so much better!  I hurt my back 5 years after i had RNY then the weight started creeping back with all the steroids and steroid injections.   The pain has gotten worse and worse.  Im now 225 when i was 130 when i actually hurt my back.  So I am hoping.   I was thinking that it wont make a big difference because my stomach is flat.  Now you give me hope.  But we will see....

My low back would just kill me. It hurt to stand for more than 5 min. My son is a chiropractor so I have the luxury of being adjusted often but it wouldn't hold because  all the weight in my  stomach would eventually put my back out within a day or two and I would be right back to the same pain. Since surgery I have lost 63lbs and the pain has gone down tremendously. I can do so much more. I still have a long way to go. I was looking at a double knee replacement and hip replacement. My knees feel pretty good - still looking at a hip replacement but I won't even consider it until I have all my weight off and a tummy tuck because I know it will make a big difference.Its amazing how taking off just a few pounds can make all the difference in the world. Good luck on your upcoming surgery. You are going to feel so much better.Be patient as it will take a little time but it will happen.

Sharon

You will feel so much better.  I, too, have suffered with back pain for many. many years, due to herniated discs and spinal stenosis.  I had a 2 level microdiscectomy and laminotomy (lumbar) an NY day 2010.  I then became caught in the vicious cycle of pain, pain meds, and of course, unable to exercise due to pain, so more pain meds, and round and round.  That was when I knew for sure I had to do something drastic, i.e. WLS.  Since losing 70 lbs, my pain is much improved, that is, I can go longer periods on my feet before realizing I'm in pain.  I will probably always have some degree of back pain, but it can only get better, the more I lose.

Good luck on your journey!

I absolutely appreciate everyone's responses.  It's great to read that I'm definitely not alone and that there is pain reduction.  It also reaffirms my commitment to this process and ensuring it's success.

Thanks again,

Clay

I'm the opposite...I had wicked lower back pain, gained 50 pounds and it went away.  Now that I've lost, my back pain has returned.

I started off at 364 and am now about 175. I had a lot of back pain pre-op. Sometimes to the point it would just go out and I wouldn't be able to get out of bed. I couldn't walk more than 30 minutes without having to sit down from it hurting. Today, my back very seldom hurts. Maybe once every few months and that's only if I have lifted something heavy or exercised too much. At that time I just pop a couple of ibuprofen and it's better in 20 minutes. I also have arthritis in my back. 

I discussed some of these issues here..... you and I were similar in siz.... hope this helps  

 http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4647118/Maintaining-340-lbs-loss-4-yrs-out-with-pics/