rjnkajun

I am 38yo Disabled Veteran. I had a 2 level fusion/ dynamic stabilization with cages at L4-S1 done Jan 2009. the sugery was in response to an injury I sustained while on active jump status in the US Army. Granted it was a little more then a back sprain when it happened, but over the years it gradually goto the point I needed surgery. when I left the Army I was about 205lbs but solid I continued to work out some times twice a day. until 2006 when at the gym I collapsed, my spin had had enough. from that point I was about 220 and the VA tried every steroid shot and nerve block they could until 2009 where I was given the option of Surgery, Morphine pump, or leave it be and live with the pain and the legs giving out from under me. I choose Surgery mainly because I had my 1st Daughter due in may of 2009. I couldn't live with myself if I would not have the surgery and my legs would give out and my now 280lb body would land on her. My Neurosurgeon at the time suggested I have minimally invasive gastro surgery. they VA has fought me tooth and nail, since then I have been back and forth fighting the pain still associated with myspine. I would loose weight everytime I got back in the gym even just doing cardio. I would do great for a few weeks/months then I would be in such pain for weeks/months after and fall back into a less then healthy lifestyle. I never really did eat bad. I do eat a lot of grilled and baked fish/shrimp, and chicken. the problem was portion control. I was eating the same calories but wasn't burning them anymore. It has been a double edged sword with the diet/exercise and my pain.

About a yr ago I went to Disney with my family the 1st day I noticed something was just not right. I have always just dealt with the pain but this time it was different. My legs where going numb.so I immediately got an appointment with my VA Neurosurgeon. I have what is known as retrolisthisis (the vertebrae above my fusion has slipped out of alignment) his prognosis is another surgery. So I asked him to wait as I pursued Gastric surgery one more time threw the VA system. lucky me about 6 months ago I got the call saying I was excepted to go to the next step which is preop. Its a strange system to get the surgery. So I went in on feb 19th to see Dr Vick where his team and I talked procedures we both agree the sleeve is best fit for me over the band. so March 28th 2014 I will undergo VGS. I pray this weight and the back pain goes away! if not ill be looking into another spinal fusion!