Bad Back Pain

[meme49 0]

I am still having really bad pains in my back. Dr says liquid Tylenol and walk. I am doing all of this and still have bad bad pain. Pain is dull nagging sort of pain. Nothing sharp. No fever. I am almost 2 weeks post op. Is this normal gas pains?? Has anyone had this experience??

[meme49 0]

It dull not sharp. Breathing, moving, twisting, etc. doesn't change. Does not feel like its in the muscle. It's located in the middle of my back, right at bra strap area. It does feel somewhat better lying down. Especially if I take a dose of the lortab liquid. But can't live like that.

I just got off the phone with dr and they want to do a cat scan. I'm really nervous something has gone wrong.

[Sunta 5]

I had a pain in the very center of my back, in the middle, right behind my bra strap, for about a week and half. It was more of a nuisance than bad pain, but I was a little worried about it. It eventually went away. It really could just be you're all out of whack from surgery and maybe sleeping on it wrong or in a different position than you used to.

[Xann77 0]

Hi! I'm not sure what your stats were at surgery time, but my doctor (Dr. Rumbaut) told me that while he was in surgery he was able to add an extra stich to the BACK of the band and so he went for it because it's supposed to decrease the risk of slippage. He can't do it on most higher BMI patients so it's not really a common knowledge type of thing. As a result though, I had REALLY bad back pain RIGHT in the same area as you... lots of people complain about shoulder pain, but for me, it was right in the back behind the strap. He told me he the second stitch in the back would really hurt -- and hurt it DID for a good MONTH almost! It's still sore honestly, but Advil does the job. ALSO (and very important) I got this little palm sized roller ball massage thing from the Vitamin Shoppe -- it WAS A LIFESAVER!!! My sweet BF would just roll it really hard up and down on either side of spine on the middle back and it really relieved a LOT of the pain.

You should find out where exactly your surgeon put the stitches. Maybe he added a second one like me or maybe he put it in a different place (E.g., more towards the back of the band). Everyone is different and the surgeons don't always know exactly what they're going to do until they get in there and check things out.

Who was your surgeon?? Mine was Dr. Rumbaut. He probably wouldn't have even mentioned the extra stitch if I hadn't freaked out in back pain on my first night He had to give me morphine for it!!

Hope this helps!

Oh, and here's the link for the massage roller -- if I were you I'd buy it online right now! Was such a HUGE relief for me! http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=OI-1001

[DonnaB 3]

Hi Xann77,

You took the words right out of my mouth. Right down to the surgeon! Dr. Rumbaut put that back stitch in me too and, yep, it hurt. Unfortunatley for me I'm allergic to Morphine and I just had to tough it out. I'm 10 days post op and the pain has pretty much gone - every once in a while or if I'm standing at my kitchen sink too long I'll get a back twinge but it generally goes away if I take a break and sit or lie down for a few minutes.

meme49, find out from your doctor if he did the extra stitch in the back of the band. If so, congratulations on the extra security of your band. If not, keep digging for answers. Wish I had more for you. Good luck on your WL journey.

[meme49 0]

Thanks Xann77 and DonnaB - I will ask about the stitches. I appreciate the info. My dr is out of the country til next week. I'm seeing dr. Naaman while he's out. If its just a stitch, I don't think that will show on CT scan, or will it? I don't know, just can't function with pain so bad. They should call with results, I'll keep you posted. Thanks for everyones input.

[Xann77 0]

It probably won't show on your scan no. There's a very good chance he put that extra stitch in though... seems to be the "new thing"... like I said though, I'd really try very vigorous massage and super, super hot showers/baths (as hot as you can take) and see how that goes too. I'm sure you'll be fine although trust me, I understand about not wanting to be in pain. I just wouldn't worry too much that there was something seriously wrong since it sounds EXACTLY like what I and Donna B went through and that type of mid-back pain isn't really symptomatic of common band problems. Your doc probably didn't tell you because some people are really psychosomatic and if they THINK there's going to be extra back pain, they'll defnitely feel it. Your office should be able to call your doctor and ask him a simple question though -- even if he's on vacation! It would save a whole lot of time and money if they did. Good luck to you!

[desertmom 297]

hi

Just checking to see if you've seen your dr yet.

Always on the lookout for others with back pain.Maybe I can figure what causes mine.. (started 3 days post-op and I still get it almost everyday....when I'm tired or doing something physical....it's almost like a numb,tingling sensation (like when your foot sleeps) and a numb deep pain.But then I also get pain in front sometimes....)

You are still very early days and I'm sure it will clear up....

Good luck..

[meme49 0]

Deseretmom,

I had a ct scan last Thursday. They said all looked good. I was seeing Dr. Naaman as my dr. has been out of the country. I called this morning and my dr. is back in town and I have an appt. at 2:45 PM today. Maybe I'll have some answers. I also have started getting pain in front.