Question:
Back pain when walking or standing

Has anyone experienced any back pain while standing or walking. I am 6 weeks post op and have lost 32 lbs..was 259 before surgery. I have never experienced back pain prior to surgery but the past week when I go shopping or walking or standing for more than 1/2 hour I get muscular type back pains in lower back to middle back. It is quite uncomfortable and makes it difficult to do any lengthy walking type exercises. Can anyone tell me if it goes away and how long it takes?    — Marina M. (posted on September 1, 2002)

September 1, 2002
You probrably pulled a muscle over doing it when you exersiced am queen of back aches. Try taking out showers and using a heating pad on your back. Also tyelnol makes a good back ache medication. AM sorry i would tell you to use ibprofin it has antiflammatory meds in it but we can;t have that after surgery. try swimming for awhile instead of walking and use the sauna it really great for aches and pains.
   — sheri B.

September 1, 2002
Hi. I read from your profile that you had an open procedure. Your abdominal muscles have been weakened and they play a key role in supporting our weight when we're upright. Since they're weak now, your back muscles are having to work overtime. It will take some time for your abs to get strong again; once they do, your back pain will ease. If it's really a problem, ask your doctor what type of exercise you can safely do to help strengthen your abdominal muscles. JK, RN
   — Joya K.

September 1, 2002
As the weight drops how we carry ourselves changes dramatically. It takes time for our bodies to adjust. Eventually it will go away.
   — bob-haller

September 1, 2002
I had the exact same problem. My Dr. told me it was inflamation build up and even though we normally should not take advil, that is what she recommened I take for a couple of days and use a heating pad on the area 4x per day. It worked great. In about 3 days the pain was gone and has not come back.
   — Debbie K.

September 1, 2002
I had excruciating back pain for many months. It's because we are carrying ourselves different with the weight loss and the body is adjusting to it. I went to a chiropractor for a number of visits and this really helped. It eventually went away TG! because I almost couldn't work because of it. I totally sympathize with you!
   — ZZ S.

September 1, 2002
It could just be a pulled muscle and that you are using different muscles now. Make sure you are doing a warm up before exercising, even walking. Using one of those sports creams that help warm muscles can be used before walking. Make sure you are walking right. Believe it or not, there is a wrong way. Get a book on walking from the library and read the pre warmup and cool downs. On the case that it might something else, you could get your primary care to check it out. I needed an anti imflamatory, after hernia repair surgery for a different problem and my surgeon (same one as for wls) prescribed cebrex, and so that is the only one I use when my bad back acts up. I take it very sparingly and fortunately, don't need it very often anymore. I have done the chiropractor, just make sure you aren't going to a 'popping, yanking' one. I have used acupuncture with fantastic success for back pain management. It is the same thought as chiropractor - getting the body back in alighnment. Both are fantastic forms of alternate medicine. I got off blood pressure medicine completely through acupuncture and got a normal reading. I was in extreme back pain from swelling from blood pressure medicine, which pressed on my sciatic nerve. It got the pain completely under control. With both of these, make sure your person is liscensed and certified.
   — Elizabeth K.