Question:
Has the surgery helped with severe lower back pain

Hi, I have had very severe lower back pain. So bad I can hardly get up in the morning and stand straight. My legs feel like they are going to go out from under me. I have just attributed this to being overweight. I didn't want to go see a doctor just for this as I am hoping once I have the surgery this will improve. I am scheduled for open ryn on April l4th. Hoping after that many of my problems will improve but I am especially hoping the pain in my back improves to at least a bearable amount. Any help or encouragement on this would be greatly appreciated. Lol    — Maureen M. (posted on March 23, 2003)

March 23, 2003
Maureen, I had Open RNY almost 16 months ago and have lost 175 pounds. I had terrible lower back and hip pain before surgery. I could walk 10 feet and be in agony and have to sit and rest. Well, it's gone. The hip and back pain are completely gone and I could't tell you when they went away. I just realized one day that my back wasn't hurting. I have terrible arthritis in my knees and that pain hasn't gone away but I guess it's better. I was taking 12 Ibuprofen a day just to walk and now I don't take any. The pain is bad but I live with it. I will have to have total knee replacements in the next couple of years but I'll deal with that when the time comes. Best of luck to you with your surgery.
   — Patty_Butler

March 23, 2003
Hi there! I'm only 2 months postop and have lost about 40 lbs so far. My back pain isnt totally gone but it has improved significantly since my surgery. Before the surgery I would just walk a few feet and already my back would be killing me. Going grocery shopping was agony. At the shopping cart I couldnt even stand up straight, Id have to lean against the cart otherwise my back would hurt. At least when I go shopping now I can stand up straight when I push the cart. I'll bet that once you lose that excess weight your back wont hurt anywhere near as much as it does now. Good luck with your surgery!
   — Kris T.

March 23, 2003
Hi Maureen - I, too, had extreme lower back pain and am pleased to report that I can once again stand and walk - even go grocery shopping! Good Luck!
   — jen41766

March 23, 2003
Me too!! I can walk again. I had terrible back pain that radiated down my legs and could not walk for more than a few feet before having to sit down and take the weight off my back. I had open RNY on 10/4/02 and now I can walk again and go places and do my own shopping without the back pain. For that alone, I am eternally grateful for having had the surgery and the 100 lb. weight loss ain't too bad either!!
   — Sandi E.

March 24, 2003
Maureen, I am 11 days post op, down 15 lbs and can affirm what the others have posted. However, I would strongly encourage you to have your pain assessed by your primary care and/or a back specialist. It is very important to know what is causing this pain! I was diagnosed with a bulging disc, which in degrees is less serious than a herniated disc. A herniated disc is likely to continue to cause you serious back pain, even after a significant loss of weight, whereas, with decreased pressure and a bit of physical therapy, a bulging disc is likely to improve when you lose weight. Don't leave your health up to guess work; get to the source of the pain, and be pro-active about your health. Blessings to you, Robin
   — rebalspirit

March 24, 2003
I think it would depend upon the cause of your pain, and perhaps you age. At 52, I have degenerative disc disease, and have had three spinal surgeries (all pre-RNY.) While the arthritis pain I had in my knees and ankles is greatly diminished, my low back and hip pain persists. It makes getting enough quality exercise difficult for me. However, I have only lost 107 pounds of the 160 I hope to loose. Hoping the last 50 pounds will make a difference for me. Lori - RNY, 06/20/02, 308/201
   — [Deactivated Member]

March 24, 2003
As you can see it depends on what is causing the back pain. If the weight is causing the pain, and it could also be weakened muscles in your lower back that cannot support the weight, then the WLS will help significantly. If the pain is radiating down the legs or your legs buckle, it could be a bulging or herniated disc. I, too, have had 2 herniated disc surgeries pre-op and still suffer from another one today, and I am almost at goal. What I did find out though was some of the lower back pain was caused from arthritis that set in after the surgeries due to scar tissue-I take 1 vioxx a day and the pain is greatly improved. So, determine/elimate the cause of the back pain and hopefully it is just the weight and soon you will be much improved.
   — Cindy R.

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