Expectations too high

I am really angry or disappointed or fustrated or maybe all 3. Here's why. I have spent the last 10 years constantly gaining weight. It really started to esculate after I injured my back at work and was no longer able to work or do much physically. Over the 10 years I gained over 100 pounds. Workers Comp rode my arse for years saying the problem wasn't my injury but was mainly due to my excess weight gain. I fought back but once that's planted in your head for many years, you start to believe it. After all they are doctors ,physical therapists and occupational therapists and they are ALL saying the same thing.  People who should know, right. Even my own doctor and even Dr. B suggested once I lost weight my back should hurt less and mobility should get easier. WRONG!!! WRONG!!!!!

Here I sit, 90 pounds lighter than when I started. My back is just as bad and unfortunately maybe even worse. It hurts more. Now my knees and hips have joined the club. In the evenings, I can barely stand the pain in my back, knees and hips. And the worse thing is I can only take acetaminaphen (Tylenol) for the pain. I might as well take M&M's. for all the relief I get from it. (Actually if I took M&M's, I'd actually get some pleasure from it.) I have Percocet for pain but I can't take them every day. I try to limit them for when the pain is really unbearable.

I am sooo fustrated. On days like this, I regret my RnY. The weight loss is fantastic, but that wasn't my reason for having wls. What I wanted to get out of it was less pain and more moblity and had secretely hoped to return to some kind of work.

Anyone out there thinking about RNY, please reconsider if you need nsaids for daily pain. Once you have the surgery, that option is no longer open to you. Can you live without them. Don't rely on wls to alliviate your pain and don't believe those who say losing weight will lessen your joint pain. It may but it may not. That's an awful risk to take if it doesn't. To be left without pain control.

Thanks for allowing me to vent. 

Hi;
I have not had surgery; actually you replied to my; I JUST HAVE TO ASK A QUESTION. It was about age; and RNY; or other surgerys.  I am 59; 280; a smoker; like my wine; of course dry white; and BMI of 50.  I got myself referred to Dr. Savoie; just a week ago; so god only knows when I will see him.  Wish me luck. lol  My guess is that the weight loss surgery is only a tool so to speak.  I have back pain; fibro; two sleep disorders; and on and on.
I am proud of you.  Did you know before surgery that you could not take these pills to help with the pain?
I am thinking of the duodenal switch.  Risky; but I will see.  He does do that and apprently is beginning this year.  I am concerned about him being so new to different surgerys other than the band.
Anyhow; the pain you are suffering; I would think; although when I was lighter I had it bad; must be a bit better than at our beginning weights.?
But I can tell you I was no longer able to work; at 223 lbs; because of one reason; pain in back.  Of course I have many other health problems.
Anytime you want to vent; I am here.  I live in Moncton:NB.
Take Care;
Judy

hello. YesI knew that one could not take nsaids before surgery. I guess I had it in my mind that once the weight was gone my back pain would ease up. I was kind of assured of that from almost every doctor I had seen prior to having wls that once the weight went the pain would most likely go too.

If the DS had been available I may have opted for that I don't know that much about it really excepot that you have to take handfuls of vitamins every day. That would drive me nuts. I think there are some bowel issues too. Again, I don'tb know much about it really.  All in all, I like my RNY for weight loss anyway. As far as it being a tool, I don't know. I certainly don't  have to work very hard at it. Food has become fuel only. I am just as happy eating a slice of bread with cheese whiz as I am sitting down to meat and veg. It stops the hunger and that's all I need now.No more food for satisfaction. It is just fuel. I really like that.

I think Dr. S's waiting list is far shorter than Dr. B's. I waited 5 years to see him. Good luck with whichever one you decide to have. You might want to stop smoking now though. Neitherb Dr. S nor Dr, B will do surgery if you don't quit smoking. At least 2 to 4 weeks prior to surgery.

Hi Maggie - I got your PM = typed out a long reply to you this am - but frig it got lost in cyberspace. This pm - I'm VERY rumbly - left lower back ache/pain - and tummy discomfort - not pain. Check my post on the New Brunswick forum from a few minutes ago. And - can I be your friend - OK - now I'm whining. Sorry to highjack your postMary

Sure Mary, the more the merrier. Come on in and have a cup of tea with me. LOL  Sometimes we just need to pi$$  and moan to someone who has had the same surgery that we had. At least nobody here says  "I told you so" LOL 

I think I'd be investigating you tummy discomfort a bit deeper if I were you. It has been going on now for quite awhile.Could be something brewing down there. You might want to nip that in the bud before you end up with something serious.

When I had my info session way back in January, the RnYer who spoke about her wls had been hospitalized every year with some complication or other stemming from her RnY.   She was 6 years out so it can crop up at any time. Don't become complacent because it's been a year or so. Your innards are forever malformed.

OMG, I feel like I'm always giving you an earful. Sorry, don't mean to sound bossy but I am concerned about your belly. The sooner you get it seen to and have an actual dx, I will feel better.

Keep in touch, maggie

Maggie, Have you seen a physio recently? Your muscles may be weak and you may be able to work on that now that the weight has gone.