I am wondering if anyone out there has or has a herniated disc and whether or not they saw any improvement with it from weight loss? I was banded about 4 weeks ago. Would love to think that losing weight will help me with my disc problems but I'm not too optimistic. Appreciate any feedback.

I am need slso and hope to learn ths also. i ge shots on my back a L5 and tsil bone that helps but doesnt cure. Good luck here

line-dancer

I am hoping for the same outcome. Less weight carried can only help the back, knees...etc. I havent lost enought to see a difference yet, but I am optimistic.

I have arthritis in both my cervical and lumbar spine areas. I have what has been described as "bulging" discs, and this is less severe than an actual herniation.

Though I am not yet at my goal weight, my aches and pains for the most part are less than they were prior to my weight loss to date. This is really much more significant than it reads, as I was on a fairly strong dose of a prescription NSAID which I have had to stop taking because of the band surgery.

Here's an interesting fact I'm just now becoming aware of...

I never had back problems before except once in a great while. Lately, I've been having almost constant lower back pain. It actually feels like my lower back is compressing, it's hard to describe. I only know it hurts pretty bad.

So I went into my PCP and told him. I also told him I was thoroughly confused why after losing over 150 pounds I'm having back problems but when I was bigger I didn't. He said it's actually very common after massive weight loss. The reason is, when you're larger, we tend to have a sway back to accommodate the weight from our bellies, curving forward. Our bodies and spine get used to this and see this as the 'norm'. When we lose a lot of weight, our entire spine alignment changes and we gradually lose that sway back posture. When that happens it can cause considerable back pain, because even though it's in a more normal position, our bodies don't see it that way.

He said to expect back problems for the next 12-18 months while I finish losing weight and my body adjusts. He did say once my weight stabilizes and my spine is settled into it's proper "new normal" position, the pain should slowly go away entirely again.

In the meantime, I now I have a script for Vicodin for when it starts really hurting.

Just an interesting fact I've recently learned about weight loss and back pain.

I have arthritis in both my cervical and lumbar spine areas. I have what has been described as "bulging" discs' date=' and this is less severe than an actual hernia though I am not yet at my goal weight, my aches and pains for the most part are less than they were prior to my weight loss to date. This is really much more significant than it reads, as I was on a fairly strong dose of a prescription NSAID which I have had to stop taking because of the band surgery.[/quote']

I have this same problem. Three disc in my lower back bulging from car accident and I don't think knees are helping it.

That was the motivation to look into LBS. I couldn't face the rest of my life in pain.

Glad to hear your wl has helped. Surgeon also took me off NSAID's. PCP gave me Tramadol and said it was safe to take before surgery. He better be right! It makes me so sleepy though.

Was your disc problem from accident?

I have this same problem. Three disc in my lower back bulging from car accident and I don't think knees are helping it.

That was the motivation to look into LBS. I couldn't face the rest of my life in pain.

Glad to hear your wl has helped. Surgeon also took me off NSAID's. PCP gave me Tramadol and said it was safe to take before surgery. He better be right! It makes me so sleepy though.

Was your disc problem from accident?

Yes...I have been in several car accidents though the years...most of them occurred while stopped in traffic or at an intersection at a traffic signal. Two of the rear end collisions on I-4 were serious(causing the lumbar spine issues)...and the one when I was T-boned was near fatal (causing the cervical spine issues).

I still get stressed when I have to drive...

I have been banded for 2 years and my back is worse now than it ever has been. I have had 2. Back surgeries since my band and 1 before.