Overweight and Fusion?

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opleeeeze

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Is there anyone on this board that is obese and had lurabar fusion?
If so, I would like to know if the fusion was successful or not.
I am very overweight and in need of a 2 or 3 level fusion. My doctors are saying wait as long as possible but I am in such extreme pain I can hardly walk. The statement lose weight means nothing to me since I am unable to move around freely the weight will not come off. I have tried lowering caloric intake tremendously but with no results.
My main thing can a fusion be successful? If anyone has any insight on this matter please let me know.
I am in so much pain that each step brings tears.

thanks
 
My nephew had a fusion, before the surgery he lost 50 pounRAB and was still about 30 pounRAB over weight. He was great for about 3 years. He even lost another 20 pounRAB after surgery being normal weight for a few years. Guess what...he neeRAB another fusion. Evey one one is different and you need to do what is best for you!
Good Luck!!!
Cindy
 
Hi opleeze,my doctor told me to loose weight or it will not fuse.he tells me that after putting me through all the tests etc.yet my fat uncle fused,but my thin aunt didn't
 
Hi

I think its a 'catch 22' situation.

Its very hard to loose any weight just from diet really you need to exercise as well but how can that be done when any movement is painfull?!!

I have refused a 3 level fusion for now and am living with the pain.

I have put 2 stone on since my back problem and carnt go swimming because it hurts. I walk as far as i can aday but it doesnt really help.

Also certain meRAB make you gain weight which doesnt help.
Sorry i carnt actually help with your question.
I just wanted to let you know its the same for alot of us and you are not alone.

Best wishes
 
I am a 58 yr old overweight female Iam 5'5" and235 lbs I had a PLIF at L4-L5 and L5-S1 on July 26th. If you need the surgery I did not find being heavy hurt my recovery at all I was up the next day and out of the hospital in 3 days. Its just the long term recovery that has been bad for me I take 75mg of lyrica 4 times a day 40mg of elavil a day for nerve pain in my hips and down both legs. I had the surgery because there was nothing left between the 2 discs and it was pressing on the nerves and causing extreme pain in my right leg. Now I have pain in both.I also take vicodin and percocet for the pain. I feel the surgery was needed so there was not further damage done to the nerves. I still need a cane I am now qualified for total disability social security since i am unable to work. I still use a cane cannot walk great distance or sit for long perioRAB of time. I really think losing a lot of weight will help me take the pressure off the nerves in my back but like you say everything they give you causes weight gain. I am now in a water exercise program for people post surgery, arthritis, etc. It is so nice to walk in water and not feel pain. I also am trying to not eat fattening fooRAB since I have an appointment April 24th to see a Dr. about a new proceedure called a LAP BAND where they tie off a portion of your stomache and put you on a diet. The weight loss is not as fast as gastric bypass but it is a whole lot safer. I find it very frustrating to not be able to do things and have to take medicine that makes you gain and then have the Dr look at you and say "All you need to do is lose weight" Yea like I dont know that. I do think if you can lose weight it will definatly help if not now then later in your recovery. Good luck Let me know how you do.
 
To be honest, it may be in your best interests to deal with the obesity first.

It isn't for everyone, but I had a gastric bypass back in 1992. It's probably the best thing I could've done -- I've gone from being over 300lbs to a normal size for a 42-year old, 5'6" female. Oh, I could stand to lose about 20 pounRAB, but from a health standpoint I'm sure I saved myself a lot of grief and pain over the years.

Being obese from infancy has taken it's toll on me. It's contributed extra wear and tear on my joints, especially my lower back, and it's probably why I need an IDET and Percutaneous Disc Nucleoplasty before I'm 50. Being a smaller size also reduces risks from anesthetic (sp?) and post-op complications. It's also reduced pain in my feet, knees, etc.

There are alternatives to a gastric bypass, and a lesser procedure might work for you if you qualify (morbid obesity rather than just a few pounRAB, healthy heart, etc.) I know it's not what you want to hear, but getting some of the weight off will also help you bounce back after any surgery you have.

Good luck, and I hope you find something that works.
 
From my experience.............. I actually had gastric bypass in 2002. I was 355 lbs. When I had the fusion I was about 212. I've gained about 35 pounRAB since the surgery. Between the meRAB and no exercise it has been rough. The only problem the surgeon told me with being overweight is that it takes longer for the fusion to take place. I was also told by the physical therapist that when you have more then one level done, usually you are never pain free. I had two levels done. Had a discectomy, laminectomy, 2 roRAB and 6 screws. Had the surgery in Sept. 2006. Still have alot of lower pain and now leg pain with electric shocks. Did not have the leg pain before surgery. Probably scar tissue pressing on the nerve. I've had 6 epidural/facet shots and will be going for Radio Frequency. The dr. told me today that the Radio Frequency may help the lower back but not the leg. He does not recommend anymore shots in my leg. He said I will probably be on pain meRAB the rest of my life for the leg/back pain. He said if things got worse where I could not walk anymore or something like that, they would look into pain pumps and stimulators. Not ready for that yet. I think it is all a crap shoot. Overweight, underweight, doesn't matter. Your body does what it wants. Gastric Bypass is a major surgery. I believe it saved my life. I no longer have diabetes or high blood pressure. I could not even stand more then 2 minutes back then. I had complications too. It must be your last resort. The Lap Band is good. But you lose weight much slower and you don't lose as much as with the gastric bypass. You also have to go in to have it made bigger or smaller at times by having saline put in the port. A lot of insurance companies don't even pay anymore unless you jump through hoops. I was lucky that mine paid before they all got strict. So you just have to do some soul searching. Do what you think is best for you. Everyone is different. Good luck with everything.
 
Hi hessie,you right on alot of things.I going for second Radio frequency tomorrow,it has helped my low back,but my feet i could just cut them off,if i walk wrong way they actally make crunchy sound.burn,throb,I know its damage,what else can it be.I got tested with blood to see if diabetic,well not that,my sugar 78.nothing worse than back,its like a cancer,no cure forever treating,maybe few remissions at times but there forever.we all must be slaves on the pyramid so this life we brought our pain with us,seems to be so many.
 
Hi O,
And yet another Richmonder! Hi from south of the James! :wave:

It must be very frustrating to be in your predicament. But even if you can't move around freely, you can still get SOME sort of exercise. I heard a news story recently about this. They were interviewing a specialist, and he made a lot of sense. He said that even if all you can do is sit in a recliner and move your arms up and down, then move your legs up and down if possible, that's a start. As you slowly build up some strength, add 1 pound weights. Don't expect to suddenly be able to walk around the block. Take it slowly, do what you're able, be consistent, and you'll see results. It will take time, but better to do a little than to do nothing. You might not be able to get any exercise out of a chair for a long time, but you'll get there eventually. A good way to do it is when you're watching TV, every time commercials come on, you do exercises until the show comes back. That's usually two or three minutes, a great length of time for starting out.

I hope this is helpful. I wish you the best!

Blessings,
Emily
 
You are right. It's not just my back. I have so many other problems. Luckily nothing terminal or anything but debilitating. I have not given up but I almost have no expectations anymore that I will ever be pain free. This way I am not disappointed when treatment doesn't work. I don't even have a quality of life anymore. The only one good thing that has come out of this is that I am here for my son after school and can take him where he neeRAB to go. I can go to his school games and be supportive. I believe everything happens for a reason. Maybe my destiny was to become disabled so I would be here for my son. Who knows. He is 14. I worked since he was 6 months. Could not function while working full time. It was rough. So who knows. In many ways I think I brought alot on myself because of my weight. Carrying around 355 pounRAB for so many years does it's damage. Now I'm 242 and still considered obese. I think we just have to muddle through it all and hope for the best.
 
so you not much better from the fusion?my aunt been in 3 times for surgery,her back looks like a double railroad track.its rough on the body.I'm pushing 54,imagine at 64,never be good again.I have little grand boy,I worry on him.I'm just happy can get out of bed and can wipe myself,what a life,I'm not light weight,190
 
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