Hip & back pain after weight loss

[LAJ23 70]

This may be a longshot, but I thought I'd ask anyway... I'm down 49.5lb as of yesterday morning. I've noticed in the last few weeks, I've been sitting with my legs crossed a lot more often - because it's comfortable, and I finally can! - but I've also been enduring increasingly worse hip and back pain. It got really bad this past weekend and is now to the point that I can't sleep (kept me up all last night). Motrin/Advil, heating pad, and doing stretches hasn't helped. It also seems to be worse on my left side than the right. Just curious if this is something any of you have encountered as you've lost weight and maybe sit/lay in positions you didn't before. Last night it was so bad, I nearly went to the ER in the middle of the night. 😖

[LAJ23 70]

1 minute ago, MsMocie said:

Is it pain when sitting or touching it etc?
That is usually from you loosing frosting on your body, and now you are sitting on your muscles 😁

Please explain a little more

With my hips, it's deep joint pain. Doesn't hurt when touched, but does hurt when I sit, lay, stand or walk - pretty much hurts nonstop, but is worse when laying down. It also wraps around to my low back.

[The Greater Fool 2,054]

My hips also hurt at night now. My hip bones are actually visible.

Pain generally got better as I lost weight but I knew it was only a temporary reprieve as 20 years of carrying several hundred pounds extra took it's toll on my body. I had about 5 good years before my knees said no more.

I'm still in far better shape than I was 18 years ago. I'll take the pain (with narcotics).

Tek

[LAJ23 70]

10 minutes ago, The Greater Fool said:

My hips also hurt at night now. My hip bones are actually visible.

Pain generally got better as I lost weight but I knew it was only a temporary reprieve as 20 years of carrying several hundred pounds extra took it's toll on my body. I had about 5 good years before my knees said no more.

I'm still in far better shape than I was 18 years ago. I'll take the pain (with narcotics).

Tek

We have hereditary back issues/arthritis in my family (all the women on my mom's side) so I've had back problems for years, but this hip pain is new and is almost crippling. I already know a call to my dr. will be unproductive as he won't prescribe pain meds. He'll likely refer me to a specialist, who will in turn prescribe PT. Once I go thru all that, the specialist MIGHT prescribe pain meds, but I doubt it. I can't spend all that time going thru the motions...this pain is AWFUL. I need relief sooner, but I wanted to rule out/in that it could be due to weight loss and the way I'm now sitting. Just trying to figure out if this is a common issue after losing weight.

[ms.sss 15,721]

Yep me too. I had the annoying hip and lower back pain for the first few months post surgery. It hurt when I sat/laid down/stood/whenever. I read (and was told) it was because my bones/musculature had long ago adapted to carry the large amount of weight I had, and during rapid weight loss phase, the body was not quite as quick to adjust...hence the pain.

Heat application and exercise were my friends.

If I recall correctly, the pain went away around 4-5 months post-op (though your mileage will vary depending on how much weight was lost and how long you were at that higher weight).

P.S. on the flip side of things, my knees, upper back and foot pain went away in the same period!

[The Greater Fool 2,054]

4 hours ago, LAJ23 said:

We have hereditary back issues/arthritis in my family (all the women on my mom's side) so I've had back problems for years, but this hip pain is new and is almost crippling. I already know a call to my dr. will be unproductive as he won't prescribe pain meds. He'll likely refer me to a specialist, who will in turn prescribe PT. Once I go thru all that, the specialist MIGHT prescribe pain meds, but I doubt it. I can't spend all that time going thru the motions...this pain is AWFUL. I need relief sooner, but I wanted to rule out/in that it could be due to weight loss and the way I'm now sitting. Just trying to figure out if this is a common issue after losing weight.

If you're in pain, get the referrals and do what they ask, and maintain that your pain levels are problematic. AZ is one of the worst states for narcotics, but go through the steps and they can and will help... eventually. They will take imaging which will show issues, and PT only goes so far.

BTW, I do PT every week. Basically a message with wet heat after. It doesn't help, but it feels good.

Just like WLS, there are steps to follow, tests to be done.

good luck,

Tek

[MamT 17]

On 10/13/2020 at 9:38 AM, LAJ23 said:

We have hereditary back issues/arthritis in my family (all the women on my mom's side) so I've had back problems for years, but this hip pain is new and is almost crippling. I already know a call to my dr. will be unproductive as he won't prescribe pain meds. He'll likely refer me to a specialist, who will in turn prescribe PT. Once I go thru all that, the specialist MIGHT prescribe pain meds, but I doubt it. I can't spend all that time going thru the motions...this pain is AWFUL. I need relief sooner, but I wanted to rule out/in that it could be due to weight loss and the way I'm now sitting. Just trying to figure out if this is a common issue after losing weight.

I have started having horrible hip and back pain as well. For me, I think my problem is not being able to exercise and stretch like I did pre surgery. I’m only 1 week post op so I can’t exercise yet but if you can I highly recommend doing a little yoga. It will hurt at first but it helps so much!

[tarotcardreader 196]

On 10/13/2020 at 4:09 AM, LAJ23 said:

This may be a longshot, but I thought I'd ask anyway... I'm down 49.5lb as of yesterday morning. I've noticed in the last few weeks, I've been sitting with my legs crossed a lot more often - because it's comfortable, and I finally can! - but I've also been enduring increasingly worse hip and back pain. It got really bad this past weekend and is now to the point that I can't sleep (kept me up all last night). Motrin/Advil, heating pad, and doing stretches hasn't helped. It also seems to be worse on my left side than the right. Just curious if this is something any of you have encountered as you've lost weight and maybe sit/lay in positions you didn't before. Last night it was so bad, I nearly went to the ER in the middle of the night. 😖

I had a ct before op and was fine but post my ct showed mild degenerative changes in thorac and hips 💁🏼‍♀️. I also lost about fifty first month and some more in the second month. Regular back xrays didnt show anything it showed on scans done for my belly. However i do not have an increase in pain like you guys. Just thought it was interesting 🤔

[stayklassie 54]

Not sure if it would help, but perhaps one of those gel cushions that go between your legs so that your spine is in better alignment while you sleep on your side? I got mine from Amazon and it’s been a life saver for my knees.

[nessie 15]

Ok, this is an old post, but I'm thankful I found it. Starting 5 days post op, I can barely sit, and I cannot lay down without pain. This has never happened to me. Pain meds aren't even touching it. Last night, I was up walking in circles until 3am. It's a deep pressure ache. So thankful to see I'm not out of my mind. Did it just go away for you? I have a 2 day drive coming very soon to get home & I don't think I'll make it

[LAJ23 70]

5 hours ago, nessie said:

Ok, this is an old post, but I'm thankful I found it. Starting 5 days post op, I can barely sit, and I cannot lay down without pain. This has never happened to me. Pain meds aren't even touching it. Last night, I was up walking in circles until 3am. It's a deep pressure ache. So thankful to see I'm not out of my mind. Did it just go away for you? I have a 2 day drive coming very soon to get home & I don't think I'll make it

Unfortunately, the pain never got better. I ended up going to a hip specialist and found out I actually have an impingement. I'm supposed to go for 3 MRIs, but due to a hectic work schedule, my mom being in poor health and having to take her to multiple dr. appts. and just life in general, I haven't been able to go. The specialist put me on Meloxicam for pain, but it does no good. I'm sorry you're going thru this... check with your doctor. My hip pain didn't start until about 2 months after surgery, not a few days. Good luck!