back and neck

Has anyone ever had back and neck problems after wl. I am two years post op and I have lost 253lbs. That is so fantastic, but now I have had surgery on my neck two times and I am still dealing with major pain. I was just curious if anyone else has had the same problems. My wife seems to think it is because my back was so compressed with 420lbs that now I am 165, I no longer compress my back as much and it has made it fragile. I just do not know if this is true or if anyone else has been through this also.

I have read stories where weight loss has caused some problems because a person's skeleton grows to accommodate the extra weight, and when the weight's gone it's like their bodies don't fit their skeletons anymore ?? I know a couple of women who swear they had a "tail" for a while but it eventually went away. My concern for you is maybe you have a lack of calcium or bone loss. I sure hope you get better soon, you deserve it after that AMAZING weight loss. I see you're in Marietta. I'm up here in Rome. Can you believe we've had rain for 2 days in a row? Do you think the drought's finally over? I'm thinking of planting some tomatoes if this keeps up.

Thank you for the reply. Also the comment on my family. They make life fun. There is not a day when we do not laugh.As far as the drought goes, I am starting to built an ark in my backyard. I am so tired of the gray sky and rain. Cannot keep my dog out of the mud.I really must buy her some boots or teach her how to vaccum! I am not going to plant tomatoes but will take donations on fresh ones lol. Nothing like panhandling on OH..........

Yeah back issues are very common after WLS.  The years of obesity do catch up with some of us.....there are several on the men's forum who have or are suffering from really bad back issues.  I had issues before WLS, and they didn't get better after WLS.  I think it'smore noticeable now because at 492 lbs it hurt just to walk down the street, so I didn't do that often.   Now at 191, I walk more....so it hurts more...KWIM? Scott

I have degenerative neck disease which is common in people over 40. My 5th and 6th vertebrae are compacted and I have actually lost an inch.  The pain became really horrible at about two years post op.  I went for two months of physical therapy (every three days for an hour) where they stretched my neck out by gentle pulling ...they applied heat wraps and deep heat ultra sound waves thru the muscles that were over compensating for the neck pain. It took nearly the entire two months before I could turn my head and drive a car again!  But that ultra sound thing was awesome...It made my neck /shoulder muscles move completely on their own and felt like my muscles were liquid waves. It was the most awesome feeling.  Since then I have done MUCH better and have to do exercises to keep my neck from getting that bad again...It's been two years, and lately it's been really sore. I take Glucosamine with MSM and Condroitin and that really helps keep the joints lubricated...My brother has the same trouble and he never had a weight problem but he worked for UPS for 23 years...So I can understand his is related to a lot of lifting ...With both my brother and I (we live in different states and saw different docs) but they both told us the same thing....There is nothing they can do. At the first signs of it getting bad, I do my exercises (stretches) an start taking the Glucosamine.... It truly helps. Good luck!

I did go on Glucosamine and it never seemed to help. I have had cervical fusions on c5,6 and c6,7. My wife seems to think havin a fat head for all those years blew the disc. She says that with a smile and a laugh. Now I am just a saggy skinned bas***d. She really loves me LOL.

LOL  Well you never know! (Wives have this weird tendency of being RIGHT more often than not!) hehe.. Could be that fat head! (I'm kidding)  Good thing you are loved!  You have a great looking family!  Sorry that Glucosamine didn't work out...My brother is like you...he says he feels some difference but the pain is just always there. I wish his insurance covered the ultra sound heat treatments.  I wish you an end to your pain...At least you aren't carrying a fat head on your shoulders anymore!  haha :)   Saggy skin?  Duct tape!  Takes care of unwanted hair too!   Seriously...I wish you luck... 

Have you gone and seen a chiropractor?  It might help... I know I love mine!  My tailbone hurts like crazy if my back is out...   just a thought.. -Shakeira

I did go to chiropractor, but she would not touch me. She is the one who found out that I had blow a disc. I talked to my doctor about going after surgery, but not till I heal. My wife has been going for 20 years plus. I can always tell when she needs to go. Her attitude changes and I just remind her to go. It is a gift to me, even though it really helps her.