Question:
Anyone having back pain post surgery?

I can't seem to eat anything - everything, and I do mean everything, tastes so nasty it makes me sick. But I'm also having severe back pain - closer to my right side. I've only lost 36 pounds in 5 weeks and haven't lost any in about 8 days. What's up?    — Suzie_Lane (posted on October 20, 2008)

October 20, 2008
Some people do have a complete taste change and/or nausea after surgery. Ask your doc if he can prescribe you something to help with that. I understand it does get better with time. Until then, be sure you are drinking a lot and protein shakes to stay healthy. You have to get it in. As far as the back pain, 2 things immediately come to mind. If you had to stop taking any arthritis meds or anti inflammatories for your WLS, perhaps you are having a flareup of that. I had horrible back and hip pain after surgery as I was off my Celebrex.... it was worse than my surgical pain. My main concern is that you said the pain is severe and more on the right side... do you have any history of kidney stones? Either way, I think a call to your doc is in order to check on the nausea and pain. As far as the weight loss goes, you're seriously upset at "only" losing 36# in 5 weeks? That's 7.2# per week! That's absolutely amazing. None in the last 8 days is probably a little plateau and these are normal and important for your body to adjust. It too will pass. Best of luck and congrats on your WLS, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

October 20, 2008
hey you should be happy with 36 lbs in 5 weeks that is over 7 lbs a week...thats excellent, congratulations. although i am not a doctor, from what i have seen on this forum, your weight loss will fluctuate, some weeks more than others. some weeks zero as you have just encountered. as far as back pain my wife also just had back pain on the right side and hers was a urinary tract infection. i would go to your doc and ask him. good luck
   — MNI

October 20, 2008
You should feel wonderful about 36lbs. I am 8 weeks out tomorrow & I have only lost 20lbs since surgery 42 all together but I went 2 1/2 weeks with ne weight loss. Keep up the great work it all takes time. Call the doctor about the pain PLEASE!!
   — tammie71

October 20, 2008
I had major pain in my back a week after surgery. I found out that it was soreness from the position they had me in during the procedure. It lasted a week. Your pain is probably different since you are further out. Please call the doctor. They will know. Good luck and congratulations.
   — KritterK

October 20, 2008
CONGRATS ON UR WEIGHT LOSS!! IT FEELS AMAZING ISN'T IT? EVERYTIME THAT U GET ON A SCALE N U C THOSE NUMBERS DROP.. I'M 8 WEEKS POST OP N LOST SO FAR 50 POUNDS!! I'M ALSO HAVING A TERRIBLE BACK PAIN, N NEVER HAD IT BEFORE,SO I'M WONDERING WHAT IS IT TOO.. WHEN I WAS HEAVIER IT DID'NT HAPPENED!! THE DOCTOR IT'S THE ONLY ONE COULD TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON!! WISHING U THE BEST!! TAKE CARE N I HOPE EVERYTHING GETS BETTER!
   — JOANNA_VELEZ

October 21, 2008
It sounds to me like you are doing fine. WLS is a big adjustment, you shouldn't be eating much, and many people feel like everything tastes nasty. At 5 weeks out, many are still on protein shakes, and losing almost 40 pounds in 5 weeks, well, tell me the last time you did that? I encourage you to be faithful, weigh once a week and just give consistency and faithfulness in weight loss a try. It won't fly off, it takes time, but 36 pounds is NOTHING to sneeze at! The reason for the poor taste could be the drugs they use during surgery, sometimes it just takes a long time to change that, but many people change their taste after surgery. I loved milk, drank it all the time, and now I rarely drink it, and it feels and tastes different to me than before, and I am 5 years out. Milk is great food for the wls patient, so if you can drink it, please do, but it did change for me after surgery, as well as other foods. Don't try too many foods too soon, it will only hinder your weight loss. You did not get a miracle here, just a tool. Mis use the tool, and you will be crying woes for years to come. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

October 21, 2008
Post surgery back pain is usually gas. Walk, walk, walk, Take pepcid A/C. Also the more you eat the faster the weight comes off. Plateaus are good it gives your skin and your body time to catch up. Don't worry about it. This surgery works. It's not dieting...I am 4 yrs post op, size 4
   — Kimberly Ten Kate