Back Surgery

I've had two back surgeries already at 28! I am just wondering if anyone can tell me a little of what they experienced after RNY, who may have had spine problems such as degenerative disc disease. I am scared that my back will get worse and I will need a fusion.

Hi Sonia, I'm sorry to hear about your back. I've suffered from degenerative disc disease also, I haven't had any back surgeries. Ironically, my weightloss of 80 plus has made my back worse. I went for periods where it had be calling in sick to work because I couldn't move. Please don't look to RNY to fix your back. My surgeon told me if I had back problems and they need to be fix, they will still be there once I lose the weight. He was right. I take med's for the pain and I still am a patient at the pain managment center. THe worse part is not being able to take antiinflammatories for my back. Once you have surgery your options are limited to tylenol and prescription tylenol. I hope you find the releif you need. I was greatly disappointed with still having back pain. Jennifer

I had to fight like a rabid dog to get my back surgery, but my bypass surgeon said if I don't get the back surgery I can't have the bypass, because I couldn't walk...the only thing is that even with back surgery I still have massive problems. I have at least four other discs throughout my spine that are protruding. I have gastritis (swollen stomach) which is the size of a watermelon (just air) so I can take anti inflammatories now. Do you have muscle spasms or tightness to the point where you can't move that radiates anywhere....if you do have you tried an epidural? I had a stage of 3 shots in 2005 and all my spasms in my legs and back (tightness) went away. You know even after back surgery I still can't move that much, so I go for aquatherapy with other obese women and it helps a great deal, but when I get out I still can't sleep in my bed..if I do I lose bladder control and can't move to get up my legs feel heavy to the degree that I can't lift them, as well as my hips. Now all my doctors and surgeons refuse any other management until I get the bypass and on top of that they didn't help me in the hospital because I was fat...and I was told that I was disgusting and so on. Anyway that is not the only reason for my decision to have bypass...I have other health problems that make it very hard to lose weight, such as severe hypothyroidism. It doesn't make you gain weight, but you have to work 15x as much as a regular person to lose weight. Sorry for such a long post, but thank you for replying! :thumbsup: