Back Pain Not Going Away after Gastric Sleeve Surgery

[lilymorg 4]

I am almost 3 weeks post op. I have been having backpain since surgery pretty much, but over the past few days, it has gotten worse.

Im pretty sure I did it to myself by riding in a squishy car for too long of a time....

However, my family doctor is not familiar with the sleeve and what medications are or aren't allowed.

Ive been trying to take it easy, use tylenol & heating pad.

I saw the surgeon a few days ago and asked him about the back pain, and he said it is not related to the surgery itself...but probably in the different way I am laying, walking, sitting etc....and that it would go away in time.

Well I want something to help ease the pain....a muscle relaxor or anti-inflamatory or something...is this okay to take?

Any other suggestions?

[smallgirlsxthree 23]

I'd call your surgeon and have him give you some ideas on what to take for the pain. Even better, have him fax a list of no-no medications to your family doctor so they will have it on file for the future. I haven't needed any other medicines other than the pain medicine they sent me home with, so I really don't know, but I'd start with the surgeon first. They'd be the best one's to ask!

[his2my2our4 120]

By any chance are you on Ursadiol? I noticed back pain too and started reading the side effects for each of my meds. The Ursadiol (for prevention of gallstones I think) has a warning that back pain is one of the side effects. Just a thought..... Hope you find relief soon!

[Griselda 7]

I have had back issues since way before the surgery and wanted to make sure I could still take some of the stuff that I found the most helpful for the pain. I take tramadol (pain) and flexeril (muscle relaxer) when it gets bad, although it is much better since I have lost weight. It is true that your body shifts a big when you lose or gain weight, like when I was pregnant, my back pain was terrible. Do ask them what is safe for you to take, but my surgeon told me there was no problem with tramadol or flexeril. I never found tylenol did anything much for any kind of pain.

[Rootman 1,101]

The previous posts are chocked full of good ideas, I would also suggest adding mild exercise to list. Walking and some slow stretching along with your Tylenol and hating pad (perhaps alternating with ice packs?) should help ease the pain.

It MAY be that you are experiencing some irritation of the nerves running through the abdomen due to the CO2 they pumped you with during the surgery, this usually lasts only a few days to the unusual maximum of a few weeks though.

I try NOT to be pedantic but here's the lowdown on the gas: "Gas pains" are sometimes attributed to the CO2 gas being present in the abdomen but this is NOT the case, most all the gas is sucked out afterwards and what is left is adsorbed back into the body within hours, the irritation from the gas being there during the operation and the stretching of the abdomen can linger as "gas pains" though. It sometimes can even seem to radiate from the shoulder or even the elbow, sometimes the neck and back are affected too. Since this is not "real" pain the only remedy is to wait it out.

[lilymorg 4]

Thanks so much for all the advice. I have emailed my surgeon to see if there is a list of medications not to take.

However this morning, still taking it pretty slow, it feels much better.

Im going to try and get some walking in...

I hate to complain...but if its not my back hurting, its my 1 incision....can't seem to win. lol Trying to remind myself it was major surgery, and hopefully in a few months things will be all good. Focusing on the positives...I have no problems with swallowing...and able to get in my required amount of Protein & fluids. Now if I can just move easier...things would be GREAT!