Question:
I am 6wks post-op and still have severe back pain. Was OK pre-op. Any ideas?

It starts at the tailbone and slowly works its way up my entire back. Saw a surgeon and neurologist and they can't find anything wrong. Is it possible to get gallstones this quickly and how does it affect the back?? I have lost 60lbs in 40 days. Pls e-mail me with any input. Thanks and God Bless. Bill    — William T. (posted on May 18, 2001)

May 17, 2001
Hi i also suffered low back and tail bone pain early out it was from changes in how i was sitting due to the surgery, Usually gall bladder strikes higher up like at just below shoulder blades and up and goes clear thru to front the tail bone pain sounds more structural if its severe keep after dr to find reason
   — BBD

May 18, 2001
That's a huge weight loss in an extremely short time. I have heard of several other people experiencing back pain as they tried to realign the way they carried their bodies; you have been compensating for the extra weight, and it takes a while for the muscles and posture to catch up. Have you thought about consulting a chiropractor or physical therapist to work on posture and movement?
   — kateseidel

May 18, 2001
Dear William, Back pain can also be cause by dehydration and mineral imbalances, and also loss of muscle mass from rapid weight loss with inadequate protein. Losing weight as rapidly as you are, it is likely you are at very high risk of all three. Be extra careful to get your water, multi-vitamin/multi-mineral, calcium, magnesium, and protein in every day. The shifting around does also cause temporary pain for some people, but what is even more common is that in the early post-op days we're so tired and sore we tend to be still for too long--vegging in front of the TV, etc. This can lead to weakness, stiffness,and more lost muscle mass, all of which add to the problem. So get up and move gently around, being sure to gently stretch the painful areas often. Try warm packs to the sore spots. If no relief, see your MD to rule out unusual causes, and also for a physical therapy consult, because PT can really help.. Pool therapy, for example, is great! Best wishes!!--Jesse
   — Jesse M.

May 18, 2001
My back was killing me after my surgery. It turned out that the doctor had me lay on this "hump" during surgery to keep my passages opened. I think thats what caused all my back pain. Poor sleeping and sleeping on my recliner I am sure prolonged it. My pain, as I remember it, was more in the upper back...Dont know if this helps.
   — Jeannet

May 18, 2001
The weight shift does make since. When I lost my first 100 lbs, my gait was off and I was staggering some. Luckly, no one questioned my sobriety at work(LOL). But it got better over time. Another thing may be the way you were postioned on the OR table. Also, you may have pulled something in your lower back immediately after surgery. Getting in and out of bed is not a pleasant experience post op.
   — Jan M.

May 19, 2001
I don't think it's anything you're doing. You need to check with your surgeon. Women who have had babies using epidural anesthesia sometimes have spinal pain for weeks or months because of the epidural. (This is one of my fears about surgery and I'm going to ask if it's possible to avoid the epidural). This pain is caused because the opening to the spine caused by the epidural needle can allow small amounts of spinal fluid to leak. Go to google.com and do a search on epidural side effects or lumbar puncture side effects. The pain does eventually go away for most people and I hope it does for you too. Good luck. Great weight loss by the way!
   — Julia Z.