Question:
Pain in my lower back, and little weight gain

Hi, I am 10 mos. post-op and lost 82lbs. My concern now, is that I seem to be slowly gaining weight...so far 7lbs. within 2 weeks. And my back has been hurting really bad ( lower-middle)...can this be related to the weight gain?, or is it a sign of a possible hernia? Please Help!!!    — kellykins74 (posted on December 17, 2007)

December 17, 2007
Start following the surgery protocol you surgeon provided. I had RNY surgery in May, 2006. I attended support meetings until December, 2006. I felt I was doing OK. Then I checked my weight two months later--I had gone from 222 to to 242. I went back to the protocol for exercise, diet, water intake, and now I'm down to 202, some 17 months past surgery.
   — Dave Chambers

December 17, 2007
Could possibly be kidney pain (kidney issues could lead to fluid retention which would explain the weight gain.) If it was me, I would have my doc check some renal labwork and do a urine culture and urinalysis.
   — MAG

December 17, 2007
Hi Kelly, thanks for writing. Regarding your back pain, you need to see your surgeon about that. It could be dehydration and your kidneys are speaking to you, or perhaps your gallbladder is acting up. It could be a hernia, but your surgeon needs to check you out. Regarding your weight, you don't give enough information. If you are walking five miles a day, drinking a gallon of water and eating small amounts of food, then I would be concerned about your weight gain. If this does not describe you, get busy girl, you need to fight to lose the weight, and it will always be about diet AND exercise. If you fudge on the exercise, your weight will also fudge with you. Surgery is a tool you choose, you you also have to choose daily to use your tool. The choice is yours and the consequences of your choices are also yours. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

December 18, 2007
Get a hold of your doctor and let him know what is going on and see what they can do. That is a lot of weight to have loss, but there has got to be a way to stop your regain. It is bound to put pressure on your spine and back muscles which are getting use to you being much lighter. Make sure that you are getting enought protien.
   — William (Bill) wmil

December 18, 2007
Are you eating more and/or exercising less? Try keeping a food diary for a week to make sure you don't have any extra calories sneaking in. Back pain is not generally a sign of a hernia but any "really bad" pain that is new is a sign that you need to be seen by your PCP or surgeon. Lower back pain can be caused by kidney problems which can lead to fluid retention. Are your feet or legs swollen? Does the skin on your hands feel tight? Do you have any symptoms of a urinary tract infection? Best wishes.
   — mrsidknee