Question:
Three wks post-op anyone have back pain?

I am three weeks post-op and I have had constant back pain since my surgery. I did have an epidural in my back, could that be the reason? It's not unbearable, it just feels as though I have been sleeping on a hard floor for three weeks. It's pretty much my whole back but primarily in the middle. Thanks! (Open rny 1-17-03; down 27)    — Lisa F. (posted on February 9, 2003)

February 8, 2003
I had terrible back pain for a month or so. I think it was due to the amount of laying and sitting in the same position that I was doing. Once I got up and started moving around more, it was much better.
   — GPoynor

February 8, 2003
I did for several months after surgery. It felt like a fire burning in the center of my back under the bra strap. I have heard a lot of people describe the exact same thing. Eventually it went away.
   — Linda A.

February 8, 2003
I, too, had back pain for several weeks postop. My surgeon said it was because of the odd angles they tilt the surgery table during the procedure putting strain on muscles that weren't used to being used. It went away after several weeks.
   — Carolyn I.

February 9, 2003
Lisa, as we lose weight, I bet we have to 'readjust'to our new weight. We are realigning. After all, we carried ourselves much differently before losing weight. At night my shoulders would ache and my back and the area around my ankles and knees. Especially when I layed one leg over the other. I notice I am wobbly as I walk and sometimes spaz out and get trippy. It's just my body realigning itself. I did have a horrible burning, tingling, numbness in the upper outside of my right thigh immediately after surgery. It now, after almost 3 1/2 months, is about 90% better. Every once in a while it feels like I have been snapped HARD with a HUGE rubber band. I too had an epidural, but had no pain or discomfort in the area of the epidural. I bet this all works out in time. (Open RNY 10/30/02 -95lbs)
   — Ginger M.

February 9, 2003
I had a different back pain post op than I had pre-op. I waited a year waiting for my carriage to readjust to my weight loss. This pain was higher in the shoulder blade area. Finally went to the dr and took a course of steroids which knocked it right out. Kicking myself for un-needless suffering......
   — lessofme170

February 9, 2003
I had open ulcer surgery about 7 weeks. My back is just now feeling a little bit better. Have you noticed that your posture is bad? I know for me my incision hurts alot, and I always find myself slouched over, which is causing a great deal of my back pain. My incision is still tight, so to sit straight felt like I was stretching it, which hurt as well. I am very aware of my posture now and sit up straight, so it's helping. Maybe this could be your problem? Hope you feel better soon!
   — Lezlie Y.

February 10, 2003
Yes, if you walking/sitting slouched it definitely will play a part in back pain. As difficult as it can be, it is important to keep that posture as straight as possible post-op. I learned the hard way after the first abdominal surgery, but at least I learned.
   — Diane S.

February 10, 2003
Lisa, I had terrible back pain post op after surgery, I too had an epidurl, what I find that gave the most comfort was using a heating pad and laying on the heating pad in the spot of where it hurt, it did help some . Hope the pain goes away. God Bless Post op 8 months down 115 pounds
   — tannedtigress