Venting and a Question

I am so frustrated. I am tired of things going wrong since surgery, it seems one thing after another has sidelined me since 11/29. I am still not cleared for work or exercize, and between the hernia, the bladder infection and now my back. I just seem to be nothing but a complainer. I want to do so much more than I am able to do and maximize the amount of weight I feel I have the potential to lose while getting fit. I do not regert doing the rny, I expected to be further along than I am at 8 weeks out. OK, as promised, here is my question: Has anyone had lower back problems since losing a substantial amount of weight? I have recently 'put my back out' and I am concerned that the loss of muscle tone (not cleared for exercize for 1 more month) and the sagging of my shrinking tummy may be causing undue stress on my lower back. I am sure I am not the only one to experience this, however, I want to know what you have done to protect your back in the process? Maureen

part of the problem could be that now that you are losing weight, your body is being put under less stress and its allowing the muscles and bones to realign themselves towards something more homeostatic. and with that everything that was compensating for the excess weight is shifting and throwing off the "normal" alignment that you used to have. it's truly amazing how much our bodies naturally work to compensate for things that are going out of whack and we not know it's happening. it's only when we start having pain that we realize something is actually wrong. some things you can do at home are using a heating pad to help relax the muscles. seeing a massage therapist if its ok with your dr. even going in for adjustments from a chiropracter - again if its ok with your dr. Hope this helps. - Kelly

Hey Girlfriend! Sorry, but you're just NORMAL, not a special princess whiner! It's pretty common to have back problems after losing large amounts of weight. Your muscles haven't been toned and now the weight is shifting. Although you're not cleared for exercise, ask about a referral for physical therapy. Those "exercises" they teach are pretty moderate and simple muscle toning tricks. I went through back problems a few years ago when I lost a lot of weight. Since I was expecting it this time, I did go to PT and it helped. I do this one (the first on the page) http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/abdominal/ You can also do it sitting in a chair or car and pushing your back into the back of the seat. There a few others I do, but they all focus on the abdomen. Ne

Hi Maureen- This is happening to my GF...although, we are a lot further out than you and we are cleared for exercise. Once you are cleared, don't just do crunches...you have got to flex your lower back too. This seems to be helping my GF a lot. Good luck and try the PT thing like Jen says for now! -Cheri