Question:
Excess flab causing back pain

My pcp wrote a script for a brace to hold up my flab, support my abdomen, and ease the back pain. My guess is that I have around 25+ pounds of excess skin after loosing over 160 pounds so far. Have any of you had a custom made brace by a orthoist? Are there any available from a medical supply center that are adjustable and ready made?    — MarinaS (posted on August 13, 2005)

August 13, 2005
Hi, I read your profile, sorry you had so many problems, my husband and daughter both had wls surgery in early march and are both down over 100# each. Our daughter had 4 strictures, and had the endo to stretch them out. Other than wearing a girdle, I found a support thing at walmart, it looks like something a sumu wrestler would wear, but it did help. You might look into having a pannulectomy, most insurance co will cover this, and believe me it HELPS with back strain, I had ruptured my spine in '01, and still had problems after wls, but after the panni remuval, the pain is almost non existant, no more rashes, or the other dysfunctional problems it caused me all these years of being heavy 300#-150# at goal 150#. When I first had wls I said I would never want to have a tt, well I had Very large breast, so I had a breast reduction, and the panni, wow what a differance it has made in my body and the aches and pains I once had. I hope this helps, good luck. Rosemary
   — wizz40

August 13, 2005
Unfortunately, they don't make ready-made braces that exactly fit your body. Remember it is contorted and out of whack, thus the doc is writing a script for the custom made brace. My mother had this done. They made a "tortoise shell" type brace that was adjustable with straps on each side, but then again she had to have back surgery as well as the belly fat hindering. After having this done, the PCP recommended the "necessary" tummy tuck, which her insurance paid for. My mother did not have WLS, she just had back surgery, and lost TONS of weight, thus resulting in the same issues as you. But ended up getting a TT out of the deal which her insurance paid for. But unfortunately, there are NO adjustable "girdles" that will alleviate the pain and discomfort. There is a process that will end up benefiting you, and you might suggest it to your PCP after you lose the 25 lbs. about how the extra weight is hindering your back pain.
   — C-There