Hi!
I had gastric sleeve Oct. 21, 2014 at the age of 61-1/2. Since the start of my weight loss journey I have lost 80-90 pounds depending on the day. Although I still have about 10-15 pounds to go, I had excellent results with my health issues. I no longer need 2 knee replacements (at least not now), my blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides are now normal and I am no longer pre-diabetic. I am also sure that the issues I have with my cervical and lumbar spines would be much worse if I didn't lose the weight.

I have issues at all levels of my spine: buldging discs, displaced discs, spurs, cervical and lumbar stenosis, arthritis, tears. I've had fibro but I believe I pretty much have that under control. Besides the shots, I've done the following: chiropractor, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, aquatic and land PT and I take Gabapentin (300 mg-1 in am/2 in pm). No pain meds. None of my docs believe in it except when I have a painful procedure like radio frequency ablation. I do have pain meds for other reasons so I use what I have left. I have hydrocodone and oxycodone. Neither really helps. I have Tramadol left from when I had a tooth infection. I found that helped. Before WLS I used to take large doses of prescription Advil. That worked the best but as you know, after WLS you can't use that and Tylenol does nothing. Besides, the Advil ate away at my stomach.

I am now 63. I have issues up and down my spine. I had no relief with the attempts made by my pain doc so I had surgery done by a neurosurgeon. I had C5-6 disk replacement 10 weeks ago. So far, so good. I was having great success with shots in my lumbar spine until 2 shots ago. I am giving it one more try; if the shots don't work I will think strongly about surgery. I will see my neurosurgeon the week after my shot so I will know which way to direct the conversation.

Good luck!
Ronnie (GINSBERGr)