Lose weight before surgery?

[Back-out]

I wouldn't call myself thin, but I'm not overweight either, but my screws/rods are visible at the top.

It doesn't bother me or my partner but my daughter feels squeamish when she sees them!

See?

Not exactly...sexy. Trying to picture how to put this in an online dating profile.

Hmm. "exciting 'try anything once' heart of gold (back of steel) female with curves ...nope.

"Warm-hearted (room-temperature) lady, who..." scratch.

"well-preserved (guaranteed rust-proof) damsel.." shakes head.

"Magnetic (non-ferrous) former model seeks..." Oops.

URGH!!!

[JenniferG]

I wouldn't call myself thin, but I'm not overweight either, but my screws/rods are visible at the top.

It doesn't bother me or my partner but my daughter feels squeamish when she sees them!

[Back-out]

The cosmetic side of going bionic (when it SHOWS)

Rohrer--I'm fused T2-pelvis and have no trouble at all lifting my arms. Of course, in the early weeks it was trickier. I don't play piano or swim much but there wouldn't be anything preventing me from it. That's really strange that the doctor said that. Janet

Others have spoken of difficulty raising their arms too. Can't think off the cuff if they were "thinnies". Liikewise, even within this thread, there has been talk of thin patients having the armature entangled with muscles and/or showing.

It's worth a thread but I'll stick it here. Wondering if those at such risk, ARE those on the thin side - and what the relationship is to fusion location. I have trouble understanding this, according to the mechanics of the surgery. Guess I'm not that clear on just what is done, and how it's apt to vary. I wonder if it's a problem apt to develop, at any point, if one loses enough weight.

I also wish for comments from those post surgical who are thin. Do all such have a problem with the hardware either being felt/visible externally?

Apart from everything else that could make a partner's stomach do flip flips (the wrong kind), I've noticed, people can go all queasy about scars and signs of surgery, especially in females. Guess it passes muster more in James Bond sorts - kind of like dueling scars. Women are "supposed" to be all white and pristine. (Ha! After this intervention... )

There are a couple of men who have been somewhat casually complimentary/admiring despite my advanced age, but even they have had reactions to popping noises and whatnot from my spine. Post surgical, scars will be bad enough but if one can look and feel rods, screws and other hardware under the skin....! "Turn-off" doesn't quite suffice. Again, those of you with comfortable long-time spouses probably can't quite identify with this concern.

I was asked by a P.A at my last consult, "what's this bruise on your back?" Had to say the (to me ) obvious : "I can't see my spine!" I really don't have much of an idea just WHAT I look like rear view. I suppose if one can FEEL the hardware, it's an easy guess, but if it just casts a shadow, I wouldn't know.

Not that I go backless much. Or even at all. But others might see more than I do, eventually. Besides, after this surgery, I kind of thought I 'd try to get away from the baggy T-shirt fashion statement (for me, not saying "I don't care" but "I don't dare"!).

[Doodles]

Rohrer--I'm fused T2-pelvis and have no trouble at all lifting my arms. Of course, in the early weeks it was trickier. I don't play piano or swim much but there wouldn't be anything preventing me from it. That's really strange that the doctor said that. Janet

[Davis]

Wow, not to be able to even raise your arms?

[TexEx]

I was at about at the top of where I like to keep my weight going into surgery and lost about 6 pounds from the pain medicine messing up my stomache. I actually stopped the vicoden and went to Darvocet, I was so sick to my stomach on it. My appetite is coming back, but I can still only eat small amounts at a time and get very full fast. I "graze" througout the day, so at 4 months, have kept the weight off.

I get many compliments on how much weight I have lost and hope that I can keep it off. We will have to see what will happens.

I would say pre op the most important thing is to eat and stay healthy and keep in as good of physical/mental shape as possible.

Melissa

[rohrer01]

...but he did say the same about feeling the rods/screws when thin...and the liklihood i would need screws removed after fusion was achieved...

jess

The last surgeon that I saw said that I would be committing myself to two surgeries when I have the fusion for the same reason that you mentioned. He said that I would need the hardware removed after fusion was complete. The reason... I'm thin, and the location of the rods being so high on the spine. He explained that the instrumentation would irritate the muscles that have to slide over it. He said I would likely not be able to raise my arms, play the piano, swim, etc... That really saddened me. He listed all of my favorite things to do, and he didn't even know it. I can't wait to hear what the new doctor has to say about it. I've never heard of anyone not being able to lift their arms from being fused at T2. Is it true?

[ShariMSU]

I was at my ideal weight when I went into surgery and then I lost about 13 lbs.
That was the comment I heard the most, "oh my God you have lost so much weight".
Yeah but look at my back now! I have been off my pain meds for almost 3 weeks and have gained about 10 lbs.back overall. I still have a lesser appetite, but I'm sure it will come back. My surgeon and his med asst both said being thinner helped in my surgery and recovery. I think healthy eating, lots of protein, and walking and exercise and all will be good, pre and post surgery.

[jrnyc]

i lost 10 pounds while on oxycontin...and i wasnt on it for long...it also made me very exhausted...i gained the 10 back after going back to hydrocodone...but i dont know what would happen to me after surgery...pain meds kill my appetite...it always amazes me when i read that people can eat when they are taking those meds!

still being under 100 pounds, i didnt ask what i'd have to weigh, since surgeon said he was more concerned about my nutrition than weight...but he did say the same about feeling the rods/screws when thin...and the liklihood i would need screws removed after fusion was achieved...

jess

[Shari]

I was 10 pounds over my usual weight. After my surgery I went from 130 to 90 in just 2 months. I knew I was loosing weight but had no idea how much until my sister made me get on the scale after helping me through a shower. It was an issue w/ my family and then my surgeon at my next visit. I have to agree w/ the others here, it's not good over or underweight.

My surgeon told me that on average, most patients loose approx. 15 pounds. You just never know!!! Just stay healthy!!!

Shari

[rohrer01]

Janet, that's too hilarious! hee hee! I think either way your metabolism works can be a problem, too thin, too heavy, neither one is good. At least you're exercising and hopefully eating right. If you are doing these things and if I am doing these things too, what else can we do?

[Back-out]

I think now the slug died. Janet

OK. you did it. You made me laugh! Needed it, (hehehe). Don't know why. Tears (of laughter) still in my eyes. I think reading it wrong as "the slug diet" and then reading it right, just cracked me up! Good thing I'm not post surgical. I notice people said laughing AND sneezing could hurt.

JANET, WATCH THAT FUNNY BONE. You can break a fusion, lady!

[Doodles]

OK--I'm about 15 months out now and I have a different problem. Since about one year, I gain weight at the drop of a hat. I exercise about an hour a day about 5 times a week. I have always been good at that. I've been back to Weight Watchers--I'm far from perfect but so much better than I'd been the months before. I'm wondering if that first year uses up so many more calories just to heal you and then it drops like a rock. Before surgery I always said I had the metabolism of a slug. I think now the slug died. Janet

[rohrer01]

My doctor told me that because I am so thin that I would be able to feel the implants in my upper spine. I didn't ask, but assumed he would want me a little heavier than I am. I am not having surgery with this surgeon, though. This is a very good question. I am a little worried that I'll lose too much weight from the stress of surgery. I ALWAYS turn to skin and bones when under stress.

[Leanna]

I went into surgery a little underweight for my age and height. It didnt help that all the surgery anxiety didnt leave me with much of an appetite. They told me one of the reasons my operation was such a success was because I was so thin. Even though I was thin I ate right and took my vitamins. After surgery I lost another 10 lbs. but I forced myself to eat and I drank ensure. My stomach was so swollen due to anterior I could only eat a few bites and I was full. So I ate every hour. If you decide to lose weight, make sure you eat all the right foods so your body can heal appropriately.