I am facing a double fusion, I guess you guys call that a multi-level fusion? Anywyas, my L4-L5 and L5-S1 discs have torn and leaked. My neurologist has tried a LESI, Discogram (double positive) and yesterday, a half performed Facet Joint Injection which I could continue on with because of the pain and my heartrate was very high. No sedation, except for the lidocaine shot, I was scared to death. MUCH worse than the discogram, and I only got half of it done. Now, have to go back next week and do both sides, do it all over....not sure what for though.
My dr. has already told me I need a double lumbar fusion, and I've spoken to a couple of spine surgeons who say I am too young now for this (I am a 41 year old woman) and that I should try to wait. Otherwise, I'll only need more fusions later on the the road...
So the thing is, since I hurt myself badly last year, I have not been able to do much, so I've sat around for a whole year and got really depressed and the more depressed I got, the more I ate. I don't have any kids, and am visually impaired, so I can't see to drive. Husband and I live wayyyy out in country, no neighbors, stores, nothing. Just me and my dog and my cats. So I got very depressed and put on an additional 40 lbs or so. I'm at about 210 now, 5'4".
I am assuming to do this double fusion they will have to go in from my abdomen. I don't know. But frrom what I've read...... so I'm even more depressed now wondering HOW am I going to lose this weight and get through this surgery? How could anyone have them go though their belly when their belly is their biggest part?
This is a real sensitive issue, especially for me, a woman, to admit here for the world to see. I hope you will all be kind to me. Thank you.
Comments
Best wishes,
Marianne
My doc told me injection first, weight loss after, when you can move & exercise without agony. They've just gotta be used to dealing with overweight people, jeez that's a good chunk of America, and I'm guessing an even higher percentage of people with back/chronic pain are overweight. Kinda comes with the territory. I know it would be hard, but can you talk to your doctor aBbout your concerns & options? Find out what, if anything, they expect from you as part of the treatment plan?
And if it makes you feel better, I'll admit for the world to see that I am 5' 6" and 180 pounds, and I've lost sight of my feet long ago!
I have never been pin thin my entire life. I'm 5'2" and usually hover between 130-140. I was horrified when I stepped on the scale at my PCP's office and my weight was 180 lbs! I had a posterior approach surgery so wasn't worried about abdomen. I have been trying very hard to eat better and forgo regular soda (which has always been my weakness) for more water every day since I still cannot exercise like I would when trying to lose weight. I'm just trying the best I can to not gain anymore and hopefully lose some while being restricted through better eating.
You are not alone, believe me.
The best 'diet' I ever did was the South Beach Diet. It taught me how to eat very well, lots of fresh fruits and veggies, lots of lean meats, proteins like cheese, dairy products, lots of yogurt, nuts, and only 100% whole grains. I lost 68lbs in only 6 months and kept it off for two years. Then I hurt myself and all of that changed. I know I can do it again, I'm just too depressed to begin. Even when I got down to my lowest weight of 163, I still had quite a belly, LOL!
You're the one who has to answer that question. We can tell you the obvious stuff. Better health, better sense of well being, much less stress on your spine before and after surgery, feeling more attractive, having more energy. I'm sure there is a lot more.
As for exercise. Many say they can't because they think exercise requires 30 minutes of cardio or something. Well I'm sure to shed pounds faster that would be good. But for a spiney might not be doable. So how about simple things. Walk up and down your driveway. Start with 50ft. Then 100ft. Do it a few times a day if you can. It is a start.
Oh and if you were taking Lyrica, ughhhh, that stuff is a 4 letter word to me. I'm trying to convert 35lbs of fat into maybe 20lbs of muscle. Now I'm post op far enough to start really working it. It isn't just women who pick up the pounds...
Don't be embarrassed but do something about it.
Graham
I ate only fruits with little juice and controlled portion size. Nothing bigger than a deck of cards except for veggies, fruit and yogurt and yes even 2-3 squares a day of dark chocolate. something like South Beach diet only with some carbs. I walked as much as possible maybe one block during the sunny days and got an stationary recumbent bicycle to use everyday while watching TV but you should ask your
Dr. if you can exercise outside of walking with a cane or walker if you must.
I'm now 40+ lbs lighter and down to size 12 and feeling better about myself. It's really best to do for your health maybe your Dr. could assist you through this. That's awesome you lost 68lbs before. Now this darned back issues... Best wishes if you try again. Charry
STRAKER
Like you in so many ways, I'm 41 now have a bad L4-S1, and overweight. The only difference is I had fusion after 7 yrs of putting up with all the wonderful pain at age 38. For me they went thru my back. One surgeon wanted to go thru both my stomach and my back. My weight was never an issue for not having lumbar fusion. They had more of an issue with my smoking then anything.
All surgeon differ on how they want to go in, at what age, or how bad your back has to be before they will do fusion. One other thing, just because you have fusion doesn't mean that another disc will go. It just more than likely that one will go, or if you have a weak disc already then will go. With me, they waited 7 yrs, because the disc right above was bulged.
Bobbi Jo