Back pain better after wls?

I have very bad back pain caused by 3 buldging dics. There is no surgery to repair them so I have been dealing with horrible pain for about 2 years now. My PMD said that losing weight will help with the pain. I have also been doing alot of walking trying to get my weight down before I see Dr. G for my second appt and it has been very painful. Even after walking just a half a mile my back is killing me and by the end of the walk the pain has traveled to my hip and I'm limping by the time I get back home. I walked 3 times a day so this is a big issue for me. I have tried using an elliptical machine and I didn't notice a difference in the pain.

So my questions are...did you have back pain before your surgery and if you did then did losing the weight help with the pain? Also for the people who do have/had back and hip pain how did you guys and gals get through the exercises?

Hi Stephanie,     I haven't had surgery yet, so I can't answer that portion of your  question.  However, my doctors told me the same thing about losing weight and helping the back pain.  I had a couple of bulging discs and had gone to the chiropractor.  It would hurt so bad, I couldn't get off his table.  The only thing that REALLY worked for me was physical therapy.  I can't praise them enough.  It hurt like heck, but it worked.  I am sooooo careful now how i bend and all.  Hopefully, someone can answer the first part of your question, because I am curious too.     Eldy

I feel your pain Stephanie. I been out of work for just over a year with 3 herniated discs and a tear in my S1, during that year i gained 40lbs. I have had a  lumbar discectomy / lamanectomy in December and as of this date went through 60 visits of physical therapy and 9 spinal injections and I  go to the chiropractor every other week. I am at the point of facing a level 3 fusion or losing weight (lapband). I am on several medications for my back pain and still have not had a pain free day. all of my pain is from scar tissue pushing up against my nerves which has cause permanent nerve damage to my lower back, right calf and toes. I'm hoping that weight loss will help me ease some of this back pain. Here i am a 35 yr old male that is facing a permanent disability. The pain is so bad that i have problems picking up my 2 yr old daughter. i can't wait lapband surgery scheduled for 10/28/08. if there is any thing that you would like to talk about please send me a email.

simba454545

Scott

Hello Stephanie,

  I had back pain and Rt hip  was  shot before surgery.  They told me to have the gastric bypass or they would not be able to replace my hip.  So I did.  Before surgery I had the hardest time with exercises do to the back and hip.  I could not do.   I  give you credit for walking in pain because I know how it feels.   Since my surgery  I have lost  137lbs since april and  I am walking over  a mile  at least every other day due to all this rain we been having or I be walking everyday.  I did  have a hip replaced Sept 3rd.  and still  walking that over a mile again.   As for the lower back pain it is gone except near where they replaced the hip and that will get better with time.  I had pinched nerves they are gone.  So  getting the pounds off will help you a great deal.  Good Luck

Lisa

Hi Stephanie!

I can totally identify with what you're going through. In fact, it's the main reason I had RNY surgery.

My PCP, neurosurgeon and orthopedic surgeon all recommended the WLS because of all the pain I was in 24/7. In fact, although my BMI was 47, I had HBP, High Cholesterol and Sleep Apnea, the pain is what prompted me to go through with the RNY. Seeing the numbers go down on the scale and the sizes go down in my closet is but a mere (exciting) side-affect of having the WLS.

I have degenerative disk disease. I have had two cervical surgeries and was heading for surgery in my S1 region. I had severe sciatica to a point where I had left foot weakness and fell down the stairs and broke my ankle because of it (which I just found out it was actually broken and not sprained).

I also have osteoarthritis in both hips and right shoulder.

I could not walk without assistance from a friend of family member if I had to go any distance further than my driveway. I had become so full of pain at times that I couldn't sleep or move around my house without using a walker or two canes at once.

Although I still use a cane to get around. I get around now. By myself. On my own. I go to the gym regularly for the pool (jog in the pool) and the recumbent bike. I still have pain but NOTHING like it used to be. It's not as disabling as it used to be.

Bottom line for me, My worst day now IS better than my best day then!

Jules

Thank you for all the responses! I just don't know how much longer I can take this pain. I was taking vicodin for over a year but I felt myself getting hooked so I stopped taking them about 6 months ago so it's has been a rough 6 months. My PMD also said that because of my increased energy I will be doing alot more which will be good for my back. I hope so!

HI Stephanie,

I didn't have buldging disks or anything, but when I was around 300 lbs my back was always in pain.  I found tha****er areobics was a godsend for me.  It is a great areobic and resistance workout, but the water supports you.  Good luck, I hope it gets better for you.

Thanks for the advice, I will defiantly try it.