Hunger expressing itself as intense back pain

Hello and a Happy Friday to everyone!

So as some on here may know, I have been really struggling these past 2-3 months. I have been bouncing between 139 and 142 since mid-January and I'm trying desperately to get myself under control with only minimal progress. At this point, it isn't even so much getting the last 10-15 pounds off as it is getting myself together so that I don't always feel like I'm a step away from going off the rails and gaining all the weight back.

I'm starting therapy to get any head stuff taken care of, but I have also noticed that there may be a physical aspect to my struggle. I hardly ever feel physical hunger in my stomach, but there are many times when I'll have intense mid-back pain that will. not. go. away. That is until I eat. I am miserable when experiencing this back pain and something like Tylenol doesn't make it go away. It also doesn't happen every day, but a few times a week at least.

Has anyone experienced something similar? I'm not sure if this is a situation where I should contact my surgeons team, what do you all think? Also, if this is hunger related pain, any suggestions on how deal with it in a healthy way are welcome!

Hope everyone has a happy weekend!

Haley

Have you had blood work and/or a physical done lately? This sounds like it might be gallbladder trouble; many people find that gallbladder pain gets better after eating. (I had mine removed before WLS and I experienced similar.)

Interesting, I just had my 6 month/annual blood work taken today. I'll message my nurse and let her know what's going on so that she can be on the lookout for that.

Thank you very much for the information! I had no idea.

Most GB issues will not show on blood work. To detect stones or problem with GB - you may need special testing done.

My FB was inflamed and enlarged. I didn't have stones but I had sludge in my GB. There was a small chance it can work good again and I had it out app 6 months post op.

I started having back pains at about 6-7 months out of surgery by the 8 months it was awful and I thought I was going to die. Turned out to be a very large gall stone and the gallbladder was taken out at about 9 months out of surgery. Women present gallbladder pain differently than men. I'd keep an eye on it!

My gallbladder also presented as severe back pain - very close to kidney pain if you know what that feels like. This was 15 years prior to WLS. I had one huge stone and after having my GB out, I never felt it again. Please get checked out! It took an ultra sound for me to be diagnosed - my blood or urine test showed no signs unfortunately.

I get back pain when I am having reflux. Are you on a ppi? I would suggest a call to your surgeon. Reflux can make one feel like they are having a heart attack.

Yup. It was my gallbladder and i had it removed.

You back is adjusting to your new weight, that's all. It will pass. Exercise helps