How Are You Managing After WLS

Hey guys, I've been on this forum for a few days trying to see how WLS patients have been managing since surgery. I’ve suffered with back pain & Fibromyalgia since before 2001. Now 5 weeks after WLS and beginning to walk more, the pain is becoming unbearable, the worst area is lower back (spine). I have gotten some Tramadol for pain in the past 2 weeks, and my rheumatologist is willing to give me an injection (Kenalog) which I have taken for many years every 3 to 4 months for pain, but I am so afraid to take them now. I believe all the pain meds & other health issue meds contributed to all the weight gain. The Vicodin, Soma, Ultram, etc. I got so tired of popping pills, my doctor started me on the injections. I was not overweight back in 1999/2000 when all this pain started. I have not been cleared by my surgeon’s ofc to use the Flector Patch which would at least take the edge off. There is something in it that could cause bleeding or ulcers. I am calling his ofc again today also. My Rheumatologist wants me to do 45min to an hr in water aerobics & I just cannot do it without an injection & I just feel the injections just might stall my weight loss or have me too hungry more often. Any post op who has fibromyalgia , how are you managing it after surgery, without weigh gain?

I hate to tell you but most of us still have the fibro issues after surgeryeven when they get to goal. Of course just losing a great deal of weight is gonna help you feel better in general but the fibro usually lives on. Many of us still have to use narcotic pain meds for the pain. I got so desperate with my back pain that I had a spinal stimulator put in. Now my back is the one spot that doesn't hurt, but my back pain was from severe arthritis deteriorating 3 discs. It is a surgery but a fairly quick one and they allow you to try the stimulator out for a week to see if it will help. I know docs tell us to exercise but they don't seem to understand that we fibro people have to be very careful not to over do at the same time. I do wish  you well with your surgery just don't expect too much in the pain relief area.

Thank you so much for your reply. What type doctor did you visit for that spinal stimulator, spine specialist or orthopeadic? My rheumatologist didnt feel x-rays were necessary even after I told him back in 1999, my doctor did x-rays that showed mild degeneratiion of the spine. I feel I need to know the status before continuing with the pain meds or injections. Usually only the injections give me most relief when it gets this bad. I did take a Tramadol tonite which has taken the edge off & I've had to just keep still to keep it from coming back up. I really appreaciate your reply!

Actually my primary sent me to a pain specialist. If you can find one they are really helpful because that is their sole job dealing with pain. Yea it's silly not to do Xrays, that's what showed I had 3 discs degenerating and if it is degeneration from arthritis that can advance pretty rapidly. Heck I had cat scans, Xrays, MRIs and any other kind of scan they could come up with just to be sure what was going on. The one thing I really like about the stimilator is I can use it just when I hurt, otherwise I can turn it off. I do have to make sure I keep it charged or it'll take a few days to get it out of hibernation but as long as I keep it charged up it's ready to go when I am. Sometimes I just use it in the AM when I hurt the worst, than as the day goes on and I loosen up I can turn it off. If I can help with anything else feel free to ask here or PM me if you'd like more privacy. Good luck to you!

I take tramadol 2 three times a day. I also take Lyrica (which is a weight gainer)plus alot of other meds. I am able to lose it is just very slow. Now that I have more pounds off I am better able to exercise which helps speed up the weight loss.I think we just have to find something that works and then when it stops working find something else. LOL Good luck.

I take Tramadol every 6 hrs or can't sleep at night.  I have a herniated disc in the lower back that I get an injection for that usually lasts about 3 mos.  I recently was diagnosed with arthritis in the knees so it is getting hard to tell what is arthritis and what is FMS.   If I do a lot , I ache a lot. 

Thanks Barbara, I soo needed something to help me sleep at nite without the gnawing pain & the Tramadol to me is the best for that.  The Brand (Ultram) works better to me tho they cost much more. Are you losing weight well even with the injections? I did them prior to surgery but afraid to go back there at least before I reach goal but I guess I will if the pain gets too bad. I just got back to doing minimum excercise because initially when I started back a few weeks ago I over did it & couldnt do anything for 2 weeks. Right now I've accepted that I'll just deal with it,  using the pain patch during the day & Ultram at nite..