Gaining weight with a back injury- help!

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marshrose

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OKAY I'M GETTING FAT. Plain and simple I'M A RUB A DUB CHUB. I am 5' 6" and 165, (dude I was 155 one week ago) I got on my scale and I got a whole other 30lbs on here that I didn't have 6 months ago before I got hurt. I just got a Fusion 10 days ago- so what can I do???!?!??! My flat belly is gone and replaced with a nice rounded one, my sweet lil bottom has cellulite, my upper thighs are reserabling the tail end of a seal, I know I guess some swelling (I HOPE!! anyone??) is going on in my stomach there from the back surgery, and I gotta probably goto the bathroom some more, but ain't no 30lbs of that to blame.

I have atrophied for 6 months, and lost all my muscle tone. I got fused, I couldn't work out if I tried.

What does one do? I bought some all natural chromium picolinate as its speeRAB up your motabilism, but other than that?????????? I know I read all of those fused get to go walking a few miles a day ( I dont see that in the NEAR future for me with the gimp and whatnot) maybe, I find out next week from the surgeon.

WHAT TO DO???????? I can't exercise and to be honest I cant eat much junk food at all due to allergies to whats in most of it- no chips, cookies, cakes- I'm just getting frikkin fat.

Any ideas anyone? How does dieting inhibit my bone growth since I just got fused? DO I gotta live with these horrid 20=30 Lbs till I'm fused??? HOW DID I GAIN 10 LBS IN A WEEK!!!egaRAB I hope not. :(
I just bought a multi vitamin with minerals in it, I NEVER take vitamins but I figured maybe it'll help my back and the bone growth, I dont have much calcium intake with my lactose intolerance so, I am hoping that will help. I cheat, have a bowl of cereal here or there, or some ovaltine. But thats it when it comes to milk.

PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU'VE GAINED WEIGHT AND HOW TO GET RID OF IT! I don't want to be the only fatty backie there's GOT to be a WAY!
 
Okay - relax. It's normal, and it's just some weight, you'll get it off.

If it makes you feel any better, I was 19 when I had my fusion, and I gained weight too (even at my young age and crazy fast metabolism). The best thing you can do it watch what you eat - try to stay off the 'comfort' fooRAB you may want becasue you're hurting. Also, keep in mind you're on pain medications, which may cause you to retain 'water weight' and constipate you - both can make the nurabers on the scale go up. You just went through a big ordeal, your body could be in a 'shock' of sorts, and may be saving up calories for 'just incase'.

Are you going to be doing physio therapy? About 3 weeks into my physio, and I was working up a sweat 5 times a week - that will help keep your weight down.

Keep in mind that after the fusion, you'll be able to work out and get a really toned, nice body - because it won't hurt as bad to exercise anymore. Until then, you just have to be patient and accept that your body is going through a rough time and is reacting normally. I'd also recommend putting away the scale for the next few months - you'll just drive yourself crazy looking at those nurabers; betting off judging your body by the way it fits in clothes.

Hope I helped! Take care! XOXO!
 
Well I am glad to hear (for me) that even so young you gained, that makes me feel better. I have hardly walked or moved in whats going on 7 months. The first 3+ I was truly besides going to the bathroom- on my back in dire severe pain from injury, had surgery, reherniated, and on my back again for another 2+ months-literally.

I am not getting to do physio or anything, as my dr doesnt believe in it. I was hoping for aquatherapy up the road, my muscles need something but truly just standing is too much with the weight of my upper body, and I get exhausted with the simplest of feats and sleep for 1-2 hrs after doing something- like helping put away the grocieries when they get delivered.

I can't wear jeans as they hurt my back and add stress to the back area -they're not too tight-(I pulled out the larger old ones that DO fit now) its the material restriction, so I live in these cotton pants I got at aero. Drawstring waist and baggy, so I don't get to see how much I gain, I got room in the pants for growth and not even know it-that's the bad part.

I am going to weigh myself this morning, as I had to run to the bathroom finally alot, I was severely constipated from surgery, and some of my body has now caught up with itself- finally (2 weeks later). That happened last time to, but more severely then.

I will I guess just haveto put away the scale. That's what I get for propping it down on the floor after wrestling with it with my cane so I could stand on it. I am going to buy alot of yogurt and start having that for breakfast, and maybe lunch, hopefully that can help me, I can't be heavy I can't take it, I was 135 prior to inury. It's like everything going down the tubes no matter what path I look at and I can't stand it.

Thanks again Becky, that helped alot. I just know even the added weight can't be good for my back or my already atrophied muscles, so this is a circle I DONT want to be in!
 
First of all, realize that your body has recently gone through major trauma from the surgery. Your body will adjust in the next few weeks and months, so try not to get too freaked out at this point.

When I gained weight too quickly one month when I was pregnant, I remeraber my doctor telling me to only have carrots and celery for snacks, and watch how much I ate at meals, so whenever I try to lose weight I keep lots of carrots and celery sticks on hand and it really does help how hungry I get. Also, drink lots of water since our bodies often make us feel hungry when we actually are dehydrated instead.

Try to do as much activity as you can tolerate to keep your muscles from atrophying and to burn calories. Hopefully you will be able to walk more in the near future, and once you can, walk, walk, walk! I once heard that when we are on bed rest our bodies lose 3% of our muscle mass per day. Scary!
 
It's so hard to keep your weight under control when you can't exercise and you're laying around bored! There are basic habits you can try to get yourself into. Like no eating while watching TV, as you tend to not realize how much you've eaten. And serve yourself the portions that are appropriate for a meal and then put all the rest of the food away before eating, so you don't end up taking "just a little more." The carrots and celery idea is great!

If you can get into water therapy, even not prescribed, but just walking in a local indoor pool, that will help you get some muscle strength back and lose a little weight. You'll also feel better, both physically and mentally. But you've got to remeraber that you're healing from MAJOR surgery! You need to exercise as you're able, but be careful! Don't overdo it, and don't try to do things that are beyond what's safe for you at this point. I never was able to do those miles a day walks, but I did what I could. Listen to your body.

I gained weight, too, but I got it back off slowly but surely once I was a little farther along in my healing. I had to banish the chocolate for a while. :) No pain, no gain! It was worth it. We backies know that extra weight does not help!

Do what you can for now, but don't let yourself be obsessive about it. Make it your goal to simply not gain anymore for now. Once you see that you're stable, set a new goal, maybe to lose 1 pound. Take it slow! You need to eat good nutritious meals to grow a good solid fusion, so you can't crash diet. Eat well, but controlled meals and walk as you're able.

Lots of us have been through this with our back issues. We can tell you there's hope!!! As you start feeling better and better from the surgery, you'll be able to exercise more and your energy will increase. That's a wonderful circle (as opposed to a vicious circle) to be in! More exercise, more energy, then more exercise, and more energy, etc., etc.

Wishing you the best!
Emily :wave:
 
One thing that has helped me through my back injuries and subsequent surgeries has been to keep a note pad of my daily food intake (a food journal). This ensures you're staying within a reasonable caloric intake. Also, the fact that your injury and surgery affects your activity level does have an impact. However, there is hope. Once you're cleared to some form of exercise, walking is a great way to burn calories and tighten muscles. Start out slow at first and increase your duration (but only do what is comfortable for your body - don't over-do). Also, once you're cleared for PT, this will help significantly - you will be able to focus on gaining strength and support in your lurabar spine and this will help your stomach greatly.

I definitely agree - stay away from the scale for now. Right now your body is in recovery mode and definitely the constipation would have an impact. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water. This is very important and also assist in the weight loss process.

Wishing you all the best!! :angel:

~ Fiona Jo :wave:
 
Thanks so much again e-one, It's so disheartening! Going from a crazy schedule of a single mom of 2, working working working, wearing a size 4 or 6, to bedbound, 2 surgeries, weight gain, and what I think is now a size 10! It's so hard to see me like this let alone with a CANE my gosh. I am shell shocked through every step of this injury. It's just so hard to 'let go and adjust' to this alternate 'living' if you can even call it that.

I went from Ms. skinny independant, to a beached whale with a cane and toilet riser, in 7 months. I hate it. I keep thinking of my long term outlook, but each month something new adRAB on that is on my 'to do list' of what will get me back to where I was, if the list gets any longer- I am just flat out going to drown in the to do's and give up.

I am going to request aqua therapy this week when I see him, I need some sort of low impact way to work on some muscles, I have fully just atrophied in 7 months of complete bedridden pain, there's an indent on my bed of where I lay I've been in severe pain bedbound for so long, its disgusting to be like this. I have no CHOICE, and I havent, I've spent so long crying in agony through the months its ridiculous, hopefully this fusion is bringing a brink of hope, I do see a better difference now from my prior surgery, everyone in my family does THANK GOD, a brink of HOPE.

I HATE gaining weight- I am so nutty about weight you all have no idea, and to be stuck on my back vegitating as my body sucks up calories OMG I could just scream.

I am eating my yogurts, having my multi vitamins and chromium picolinate, going to find out of a calcium supplements going to help my healing this week, and hopefully get a green light from the surgeon on SOMETHING- not sure I CAN do much to be honest, I get pain after a few minutes of being up, sometimes I push thru it, other times it bedbounRAB me more, depenRAB on the day. I am so stubborn- (can't you tell?) LOL I am having trouble dealing with MYSELF lately, let alone those around me going batty with my grouchiness and complaints as I just can't deal with the adjustments of 2 surgeries in 5 months and helplessness.

Here's to hoping I can get some weight off in the near future whether by the yogurts or being able to try and walk farther than to my kitchen or bathroom, or sucking on celery and carrots. I need something to give real soon, it's all too much to cope with!
 
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