Pinched nerve after surgery?

Hey pal, I had horrible pain in my lower back, felt burning, numb and really hurt. I was telling my brother in law who is an anesthesiologist and he said even though we are only in surgery less than two hours, we are flat out, literally on a flat surface the whole time. His patients lay on these 3 inch gel mats, but he is in Florida, guess they operate a little different there? I was totally numb at times and in pain other times and it seemed to be worse around two weeks out. Before my surgery they put these rubber things on my heels as they were prepping me for surgery, they don't do anything for our backs and hips. They should!  As bad as it was, all of the sudden, it went away. I realized it one night when I was in the tub, I thought gee, I am lying here and it's not bothering me. Hasn't since. I totally hate when anyone, Drs included say, oh as you loose weight it will go away. Shesh, really? Give me a break!! Hope you feel better soon. 

Ouch, the lower back numbness and burning sounds painful :( Glad it disappeared!! I agree that it must be because of the operating table and how long I was flat out. Or possibly being in the hospital bed after, but I think more likely it's exactly what you said. Fingers crossed mine will just vanish one day too. I'm going to talk to a physio friend I have and see what she says, maybe there is a way to position myself in the meantime to take the pressure off that nerve. My doc is especially dis-interested and every single thing relates back to my weight with him. I could go in with my hair on fire and he'd never even look at me, just make this weasely face he makes and say, "Well you've got to get started on a plan for healthy living." Makes you want to throttle him, lol. Thanks for the advice, you confirmed my suspicions about this problem! :)

Hope you were able to get some rest! Get better soon!!

Jo

Thanks Jo! I did sleep, had two middle of the night wake-ups, but I took two percocet before I went to bed so I think that definitely helped. I only have 3 left (was prescribed them after surgery) so will have to figure out a way to ease this pain differently now! Thanks :)

Losing weight may or may not help. I have had sciatic episodes when I was over weight. They have for the most part gone away since I have lost weight but I am having an episode yesterday and today. It is not the fast that is pinching the nerve. I have found in the past a chiropractor a great help. I would try either the physio or a chiropractor for some relief

Thanks Pat. I hope your current episode ends soon, I know how painful it can be!

I had the exact same thing on the outer thigh on my right leg that started within a week of surgery. The first few months were horrible and sometimes I couldn't even sleep as it hurt so bad.  It started to hurt less and less but the numbness lasted at least 9 months.  I did physio and chiro and nothing worked for me.  They ruled out everything first and my doc figured it was just my body adjusting the change in weight. Things need to get re-aligned.  You can try heat or ice and give physio/chiro a try but if it doesn't work just know that it will improve eventually.  My right hip was even more painful than the outer thigh was and eventually that went away as well.

Glad to hear of someone else who's had it, although I wouldn't wish this on anyone :( I hope mine goes away sooner than 9 months but at least I won't be shocked if it takes that long. I have a friend who does physio so I'm going to try a therapist at her centre and see if that helps but my friend said it may or may not have any effect - as you said it may just need to resolve itself as I lose weight. I can tolerate the numbness but the pain is something else! Good thing yours went away :) Hope it doesn't ever return!!