Back Pain

[notmyname 593]

So, I've been having some new back pain the last couple months. It's not bad, just constant and annoying. Surgery was 5+ months ago. Surgeon said it could be that my posture is changing, so I'm using muscles that I haven't used, and that some of his patients did physical therapy and it helped. But then he didn't prescribe physical therapy. Anyone else had back pain after losing lots of weight? Are there exercises I can do to try to sort it out until I can find a back doctor? Thanks!

[GradyCat 3,695]

I've only lost 50 pounds so far and no back pain.

[KCgirl061 1,532]

Yes. Ive been going to the chiropractor for years and expected to have less back pain from carrying less weight. My chiropractor said the same thing as your surgeon - the body changing how its carries the weight. But if youre like me, it should get better. Last month I went to my appointment with no back pain, just kept the standing appointment I had. So it is getting better. Core strengthening exercises should help with the process.

[ms.sss 15,553]

I had back pain around my 1 month mark, and was told the same, posture changing etc. I also had hip pain around the same time. Then sometime between month 2 and 3 they both went away. May have been because my body adjusted, or because I started to exercise. Worth noting that during this "pain" time was when I lost the most weight, at the fastest rate.

[notmyname 593]

Thanks all. I am still losing really, really quickly (sounds great, but its because of some really unpleasant complications). So, I'll keep working on my core and hope it goes away.

[FindingMeWithin 19]

Notmyname I had a similar issue 6 years ago when I lost a 60 pounds (only to gain it all back within a year) with weight watchers. Every meeting I would ask the ladies if anyone else complained about back pain thinking my back should feel better with the weight off. They agreed and said customers always felt better. My GP said what your surgeon said. After going to chiropractors and acupuncture, I had X-rays done and then an MRI. I had degenerative disc disease and within a year it had gotten significantly worse. I also had shots with the pain clinic and after they quite working I had a spinal fusion. Best thing, next to VLS that I did. If you don’t get answers soon ask for the X-ray.

Best wishes

[notmyname 593]

2 hours ago, FindingMeWithin said:

Notmyname I had a similar issue 6 years ago when I lost a 60 pounds (only to gain it all back within a year) with weight watchers. Every meeting I would ask the ladies if anyone else complained about back pain thinking my back should feel better with the weight off. They agreed and said customers always felt better. My GP said what your surgeon said. After going to chiropractors and acupuncture, I had X-rays done and then an MRI. I had degenerative disc disease and within a year it had gotten significantly worse. I also had shots with the pain clinic and after they quite working I had a spinal fusion. Best thing, next to VLS that I did. If you don’t get answers soon ask for the X-ray.

Best wishes

Yikes. I've had degenerative disc disease in my upper spine since my 20s caused by some trauma. This, luckily I guess, feels more muscular than that. Although the bad discs in my upper spine have been hurting a bit more lately too. Going to my GP monday anyway, may ask her to look at it (she's the one who diagnosed my originall DDD.

[JessLess 1,163]

I have degenerative disc disease as well. A really good PT has done wonders for me. She has her doctorate in PT. I've been seeing her for 9 months. I had to try a LOT of people before I found a good match. She gives me a back rub for 30 min. and then we exercise for 30 min. I think my 50+ lb. weight loss has helped a lot, but I still have occasional flare-ups like tonight.

There ARE exercises you can do that might help, but I would suggest getting an MRI first so you know what the issues are.

[Chris56 21]

I had immense back pain. I have been seeing a personal trainer for over two months. No more pain.

[KT1981 294]

On 4/8/2019 at 2:55 PM, KCgirl061 said:

Yes. Ive been going to the chiropractor for years and expected to have less back pain from carrying less weight. My chiropractor said the same thing as your surgeon - the body changing how its carries the weight. But if youre like me, it should get better. Last month I went to my appointment with no back pain, just kept the standing appointment I had. So it is getting better. Core strengthening exercises should help with the process.

Ditto this. My chiropractor said it's partly that the body is adjusting to it's new normal (I'm down 90 pounds in 6 months) and partly that I'm moving in new ways and doing things I didn't used to. I'm a major leg-crosser now, and that is causing some hip and back issues.

On a personal note, I think some of it is muscle atrophy from the rapid loss and my lack of good, quality workouts. I haven't been active really at all and I think that plays a role, especially when it comes to inner and outer leg strength. Those muscles help stabilize your hips which can prevent back twisting/pain.

[PurpleBloom 9]

I'm so glad you posted. I actually came to the forum tonight to see if anyone else was experiencing this. I'm down about 70 pounds in the past 8 months and having very intense low back and hip pain, both new for me in the past month or so (I'm now 12 weeks postop). It's been pretty distressing. My hunch has been that it has something to do with weight distribution and I'm so thankful to see that you guys have been told as much. I've been exercising regularly aerobically this whole time but no core strengthening. I'm going to add that in and hopefully it will help. I have my 3 month followup in a couple of weeks and am going to ask the surgeon about this... and see if he can recommend a PT who might know something about it.

[Frustr8 7,886]

And add me to the" My Spine Is Hurting Me" society. I wish I was young enough for fusions. Yes my Bariatric surgeon thought I was still young enough for his Tender Mercies but will a Spinal Surgeon concur? Doubt it, and I'm going told where I feel pain is not the point where my fusions would occur. The weight loss helped heal some places but put stress on some others and now THEY are the ones complaining.

[summerset 5,265]

2 hours ago, Frustr8 said:

Doubt it, and I'm going told where I feel pain is not the point where my fusions would occur.

Being young enough for fusion means you're going to have one or two segments fused and a year or two later the segment above or below (usually above as it seems) has decompensated and you'll need another segment fused and if you're still young enough a few years later some more segments... And many patients still have pain after fusion. Spine surgery seems to be a real royal b***h.