Need to walk, but my back... GEEZ!!!

Boxman
on 7/9/07 3:31 am - Kokomo, IN

I am trying to learn to walk more for several reasons: (1) My surgeon wants me to as part of my pre-op weight reduction, (2) I understand it's a MAJOR part of post-op therapy, and (3) the family is going on a long-planned vacation in a month (it's the reason I put off surgery until 8/22), and there will be LOTS of walking / sightseeing involved. So what's the problem?  I am so pathetically out of shape and heavy, that after a quarter-mile or so, my back is killing me!!!    Not sharp pains.  It just feels like my entire lower back is cramping up.  The only relief is stopping and hunching over, or getting down on my haunches, or sitting down.  I can break up my exercise walks, I suppose, but I really need to be able to go more than a quarter-mile without a back-break. I know this will get better once my weight comes off, but do you guys have any suggestions for the next 6 weeks?  TIA.

carrtje
on 7/9/07 4:38 am - Chico, CA
The trick is to walk EVERY DAY. If you can only walk 1/4 mile, do it. If you can walk it twice or three time per day, do it.

After surgury I started having back pain due to the change in my center of gravity. It went away as the back muscles strengthened, but it was miserable until then. You might want to try wearing a back brace while you walk. I wore the elastic band from surgery while I walked and it REALLY helped.

Just remember to walk as much as you CAN, not what you think you should be doing.
Dx E
on 7/9/07 6:52 am - Northern, MS

Yep, I’d also say do what you CAN, but don’t go overboard. Immediately following surgery, the "Walking" that is always talked about, Is just enough to keep your blood circulating and preventing blood-clots. Not "Exercise" per se, but more like "Activity." Even 20 yards every 3 hours will do the trick. 50 yards or so is even more helpful as it aids peristalsis (swallowing-worm-like contractions of the intestinal muscles) and helps gas and bowel contents to move on through, Thus easing any "trapped gas" feelings and discomfort. Once you CAN walk more, then increase the "Activity" to the point of "Exercise." That’ll be an easy way to transition to full out exercise as the gravity continues to drop. Follow? Pre-op, any exercise than causes the heart rate to increase and the body to pump up the blood flow is good for getting the Blood oxygen levels up. Pumping some small dumb-bells, and any type of aerobic exercise at all for a few weeks prior to surgery. Higher Blood Oxygen levels on the day of surgery means faster healing time, less risk of complications, etc… Take care of that back. Although most have remarkable, astounding improvements for their backs (typical muscle strains) after WLS as the weight goes away, Any actual "Damage" done pre-op, won’t "fix itself" later. Best Wishes- Dx

HerbR
on 7/9/07 7:52 am - Upstate, SC
Boxman, Be a little inventive. Go to a large store such as WalMart and get a shopping cart. Use the shopping cart to lean on as you walk around the store, it helps if you place a couple of 50 lb dog food bags in the cart to provide a load. The loaded cart helps in your execise efforts. Work up to a continuius 20 minutes of walk-around laps, in the air conditioned enviroment. Alterativly, you coud find a "lost" shopping cart in the "wild" and use it in your outside street walks, or look for a roller type "walker" at a Goodwill store to help give you a balance to lean on to keep your back low stressed. Best of luck. herb
FatManWalking
on 7/9/07 12:21 pm - Deep in the Heart of, TX
RNY on 12/11/06 with
Great advice from the guys. I would add; Get good shoes. Real good shoes. High end New Balance would be my suggestion. They come in EE and EEEE widths, too.  Old, worn shoes will murder your back, knees, hips, etc. Try using a treadmill and support some of your weight with your arms using the rails. Don't over do it.  Better to do a little everyday, even if it is only 100'. Keep at it, and good luck. JP
lyricaldreamer
on 7/10/07 4:09 pm, edited 7/10/07 4:09 pm - ASHVILLE, OH
This is something that worries me a lot.  Due to my pinched nerve, walking over a few yards is excruciating, and sometimes dangerous. Sometimes my back will spasm, and when it does, one leg will go limp.  If I'm not close to something to hold on to, or have a good grip on my cane, I can go down fast.  The other night I walked to the end of my drive, then up to the next electric pole and back.  Overall distance, about 1 block.... my legs were shaking bad.   Also when I walk, I'm very paranoid about falling.  Experience has shown that a small fall can have lasting effects on me now at this size.   A stumble, or slight twist sends shockwaves of pain that last for 2 days or so. I am glad to have this, as there was a time not to long ago where I was bedfast and needed help to go to the bathroom, which was the very next room in the house.  I thank God for the progress, but worry it won't happen fast enough. Dale
   
Boxman
on 7/10/07 11:04 pm, edited 7/10/07 11:04 pm - Kokomo, IN
Thanks for the input guys!  Went walking with my wife and our dog last night - a 1/4 mile loop and the small of my back was screaming.  I couldn't wait to sit down, and hunch way over!  I'm starting to think agreeing to this Washington DC vacation was one of my poorer decisions.  1 week of walking, walking, and more walking. I'd cancel in a New York minute, but wife has wanted to go for years, and it's all planned.  Hey, maybe I should let her and the kids go by themselves?  Heh-heh...  Anyway, I saw Carrtje mention 'the elastic band' from his post surgery.  Is this like an abdominal belt?  I did a little research and found an obesity back support belt on the 'net.  It's supposed to support your gut and your lumbar area.   Maybe that would help. 
barryg9999
on 7/11/07 9:43 am - NJ

And don't forget plenty of Advil (which you can't take post WLS)!

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