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Excessive weight gain, causing depression after spinal fusion. Advice?
Spine Health | Last Active: 19 hours ago | Replies (18)Comment receiving replies
WOW!!
I have been on the osteoporosis forum for a while, getting opinions and advice to treat my osteoporosis. Now that my Tymlos treatment is just about complete, I'm looking at spine surgery and will meet with a neurosurgeon next month.
I have never heard of the depression, constipation and weight gain. Does it eventually go away? I have had a problem with constipation at times. Now I take a stool softener morning and night. I also take a digestive probiotic before bed with Greek Yogurt. I have to force myself to remember to drink more water but have found that filling a water bottle every morning and leaving it on the counter, reminds me to drink it.
I don't know much about depression, but I do make sure to get outside everyday, let the sun warm me and the fresh air energize me. I have not heard anyone mention exercise for the weight gain. I normally walk at least five miles a day at our park.
Not only does it strengthen your bones, but helps move your bowels and maintain a healthy weight.
I understand exercise is probably difficult immediately after surgery, but within a few months? I suppose these are issues to add to my list of questions for the neurosurgeon....Nothing is easy....
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@gowalking I think you are doing the right things in managing your GI system. Keep doing those things. Anesthesia and pain drugs do slow down the gut and contribute to constipation. If you eat sparsely before going in for spine surgery, it will be easier because there will be less bulk in you.
I had nausea from the anesthesia, and the doctors do have a patch they can put behind your ear to prevent that. I did not take any pain drugs after leaving the hospital after a cervical spine fusion, so with only one day of drugs, I had constipation that I was able to get under control in a week. They advise you to take stool softeners and use fiber.
Another reason for constipation may be a physical issue if your pelvis changes alignment. I know that my left illium ("hip" bone) will come forward sometimes due to muscle tightness pulling on it. This causes constipation sometimes (because the descending colon is right inside that left hip bone), and getting it straightened out with stretches or working with a physical therapist is helpful. If you have issues that change your pelvis alignment, that would be something to ask about for PT after surgery.
I didn't go through depression. I had a positive attitude and that helps a lot during recovery. There will be changes in your ability to move and that is a tradeoff for the problem you are facing, and it is something you have to accept when you make this decision. You need to get onboard and want to do this. Remember it is your choice, no one is forcing you to do this. You need to accept there will be pain, and that pain is lessened by not being upset that there is pain. Being upset will escalate pain a lot. That is normal healing. I found I could manage fine without pain drugs. After surgery, it is healing and and that's a good thing.
What you say to yourself now is very important, if you believe it will be depressing and difficult, it will be. If you believe you are doing this as a gift to yourself, and that you will have a good outcome, that is possible. You affect your ability to heal better by believing that you can do this. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Breaking my ankle was far more painful and for a much longer period of time. If you get outside and walk during your recovery, you will get more oxygen in your bones for helping healing and it will lift your spirits. Remember, even baby steps are progress!