Losing weight????

[MariHOU]

Okay, here is a question on my mind. I am carrying about 35 more pounds than I should. I've heard all of my life that if I lose weight that the pain in my back would be less and that my deformity will appear to look"better".

I asked my doctor if weight has anything to do with my deformity and he said "no" but that like everyone else, exercise and being in good shape will help me deal with the pain better.

I just wonder if anyone out there that has lost any amount of weight feels any different physically pertaining to the spine deformity and if so, how much more different...better/worse? I would really like to hear from you.

Thanks.

Marilyn

[Cena75]

Hi Marilyn,
I too have about 35 pounds to loose. I've lost weight in the past (30 pounds, but gained it back due to increasing pain pre-surgery), and it made a difference in my energy and how I felt physically. All of the surgeons I've seen have suggested loosing weight - that even though it by no means causes the problems associated with scoliosis and flatback syndrome, excess weight makes the back work harder and puts extra stress on the bones. It's hard though sometimes to exercise when you don't feel well. That's how I put the weight on in the first place.
I'm determined now to make a difference, and work hard to feel better this time around. I've been told that I may likely need more surgery down the road, however, I want to do what I can to try and make my back the "best" it can be. Good luck Marilyn!

[mattie]

Marilyn, I lost a lot of weight while in the hospital and after coming home right after my surgeries. I now have gained it all back and some extra. I now am about 10 pounds overweight. I didn't feel any better when I lost the weight than I feel now. Of course then I had the pain from surgery and the pain meds that kept me from having any energy. Now I think it is because I just don't have the ambition to do anything about my weight. I loose a couple of pounds and then gain it back. As far as helping with the curvature I don't know which would be better. I know we all need to exercise and stay healthy but it's hard when you don't feel good.
Good Luck.
Mattie

[MariHOU]

Thank you both for your responses. I've been thinking about this a lot lately and the more that I think about it the more that I think I should start walking. I mean, if doctors ask their patients to start walking within days after back surgery then I have no excuse. I just hope that it doesn't hurt too much. One thing keeps me motivated, only one thing, and Cena said it best...
... excess weight makes the back work harder and puts extra stress on the bones. Hopefully in the end my back pain will improve.

Thank you both.

Marilyn

[Gailee]

Just take one step at a time.Do alittle at a time and work your way up.Good luck.

[MariHOU]

Thank you Gailee. Very good advice.

Marilyn

[Cena75]

Marilyn,
Have you thought of water walking? It was suggested to me, but honestly I haven't tried it yet - I don't like wet bathing suits or being cold at the best of times, and it's winter here! I'm planning on trying it though, my specialist suggested it, as it takes even less impact off the joints, while working the muscles with resistance. I'm going to try our tredmill (slowly) since it's icy outside too. I've just got to get on a regular schedule and stick with it! :)

[rainbow2010]

I felt better when I lost some weight. Then I had steroid shots and gained it back. I am in the process of losing weight again. I have joined a senior's theraputic pool. I go there and exercise in the warm water (they keep it at 90 degrees). and swim a little.

[MariHOU]

Cena and Rainbow...great suggestions! I'll look into an inside and heated or senior's theraputic pool.

Thanks!

Marilyn

[Nancy G]

I wish you the best with your situation. I'm know walking can be really difficult with flatback and other back pain. I think trying to find somethng that is the least painful is best. I agree with the other comments on using the pool. It's much easier to find a way to move with less pain in the water. Keeping muscle tone seems to help me, but again, it's hard if you're in pain. I'm not sure how losing weight helps the curvatures appear better, but I do think it can help with pain. I'm not exactly sure if it's true, but I have used that hope to help keep my weight down (as a motivating factor). My back does seem better at a lower weight (I'm about 20 pounds down from my higher weight- lost and gained over a long period of time), but it's not a magical direct connection.

[Ken]

Hi,

About a 1 1/2 yrs ago, I was 5'10" and 293 lbs.. yesterday - my PCP measured me: 5'8" and 218 lbs (at my tallest: 5'11")... and yes, 293 was my heaviest! :eek:

I have experienced Much less muscle pain in my back, legs and feet and less "strong" sciatic pain... My limitations however are the same in terms of getting around, etc...

Hope that helps!

[BackTalk]

Well I will go the other way just to add to the mix. Before surgery I was 170 and after 130. I would give anything to go back to the 170. I feel I could carry myself better and have a little more muscle mass to help hold me up, rather than the rods doing all the work.

[MariHOU]

Wow...I really appreciate everyone who posted. Thank you so much! It is from this forum that I learn much about my back. You've given me much to think about ....starting/not starting and even a great suggestion to use the pool to avoid stress on my back and joints. Thank you.

There are various viewpoints on losing weight here and so at this point I am not sure losing weight will make a dramatic difference on the amount of pain and discomfort that I feel, but I think that I will attempt to start. I figure that I will not know how my back will react until I start to exercise and hopefully I can stand it long enough to stick with it.

Thank you tons for sharing!

Marilyn

[cammaltby]

Marihou,

I don't know if it would be motivating at all, but I am aware of a patient who was told by a well respected surgeon that the anterior portion of a staged revision surgery to correct flatback might not be possible due to excess weight in the abdominal area.

If that is where you think you might be heading...it might be one more box to check in the "pro-lose weight column". I know it won't be easy with the limited mobility....but then it is never going to be easy.

As always, talk it over with your doctor!

Take Care, Cam

[MariHOU]

Thanks Cam! Wow..didn't know, but as much as I understand my doctor, it will be posterior operation. Nevertheless, I will definitely try to lose weight...wow! I learned something new.

Thank you.

Marilyn

[spincon58]

Ready for this one..
My doctor blamed my new back pain from losing 8 pounds.....I have irratation from my heardwear around the T4 area and he said I lost the coushioning ....I just can't believe that one...

[BackTalk]

That's a load of CRAP

[spincon58]

thats being honest...yup!...so than I'm thinking maybe they can inject fat back in that same spot*****what we can imagine up just to get the pain to GO AWAY!!!!

[BackTalk]

Connie
I had the same thing around T3/T4. I had a couple of shots of whatever in the area and I can go for 4 or 5 months at a time just about pain free.

[spincon58]

How many series of shots did u get? was it cortisone or lidiocaine? Im happy something worked 4 u...and u didnt have to rely on meds.

[BackTalk]

It was cortisone, and only took 3 shots.