Question:
Will weight loss surgery relieve chronic back pain

I have Chronic lower back pain {non operative bulging disk }I had a surgeon write me today telling me that weight loss surgery will in no way releive my back pain. Why is this considered a co morbidity then? I have seen many profiles stating that joint and back pain demimshed after surgery.    — Lindsay H. (posted on May 7, 2001)

May 7, 2001
You did not say which surgeon wrote this. If it was the back surgeon, well, let's just say he is a surgeon and wants to operate! Now, I agree somewhat with what he said. the bulging disc will not necessarily be corrected however, I do believe that your pain will decrease as the weight does. It may not completely eliminate your pain, but will definitely help it.
   — [Anonymous]

May 7, 2001
I rather tend to agree with anon. I don't think we can UNDO the damage from accidents & such, but it does feel better not to be squishing everything with the extra wt. Since my weight was mostly above the waist,its absence is a HUGE relief to my hips. I still have the damage, but the pain is far reduced.
   — vitalady

May 7, 2001
Hi there. I too have lower back problems, in my case, I have 2 herniated disks that are not operable due to my weight. My neurosurgeon feels that to fully recover, you need the least amount of pressure(weight) on the spine. I asked him if the wls would cure me or help me and he also said NO. He said that the damage thats there has already been done, but I beg to differ with him and as a back pain sufferer and as a nurse, I can honestly tell you that I had wls on 11/13/00 and I ahve lost 132 pounds and I feel less pain. Maybe its because I am not so sedintary(sp) anymore, who knows? I just know that I am not taking pain meds as often as before. As for future back problems, this will help you a lot. If you need any more help. please email me [email protected]
   — LISA K.

May 7, 2001
Hi, I just wanted to add my two cents to this post *Smiles* I just had back surgery on March 30, for two blown disk, the L4 and L5, but not just the disk, but they had actually did some damage to the spinal cord nerve bundle. My Surgeon who did my surgery is one of the leading spinal/back doctors in my area, and he told me that after my back surgery and my WLS, I will feel 100% better, and that he thinks that WLS WILL improve my back problems 100%. He says yes the damage was done by a accident, but the weight all these years has increase the damage done,so once im threw both surgerys that I shouldnt have the pain I once did. I must say im 6 weeks post op from my back surgery and am feeling about 70% better. My WLS is June 11, so I hope by the end of the year to be back to 100%..Hope this helps..Good Luck
   — Ann A.

May 8, 2001
Well, I was sent to a neurosurgeon who is one of the best in the South Jersey area. After trying epidural steriod injections and PT, I got little relief. He then said "wanna have surgery?" I said, can you tell me that its going to help? He said, for a little while. Then I asked him about gastric bypass surgery. He told me his wife's nephew had that surgery and is doing wonderful. That yes, it would relieve a fair amount of pressure on my disks and possibly also relieve some of my pain. Also, he mentioned that if it didn't relieve enough of the pain, I could still have back surgery and my post operative recovery and chance for significantly decreased pain afterwards would be significant. That mean, to me, a big yes. Unless you are dealing with a neurosurgeon, I would take what this other surgeon says with a grain of salt. A large one.
   — Dee P.

May 10, 2001
I have been getting conflicting answers on this subject as I also have the disc problems. I had surgery on one ruptured disc at age 22 and now 10 years later I am having another disc bulging with nerve impingement. They do not want to operate again because I would be on my way towards "failed back surgery syndrome". I am hoping that WLS will improve my condition because it is hard for me to do a lot of walking or any other exercise for that matter. I have heard different opinions as far as if WLS will help. One opinion was that a lot of the weight on the discs which contributes to the compression will be greatly relieved. That is what I am hoping for. If not, at least I will be 100lbs lighter with disc problems. Good luck to you.
   — Cheri M.