Excessive weight gain, causing severe depression after spinal fusion

Wyodiva, I hate hearing what you’re going through! Weight gain is not uncommon following surgery. What concerns me the most is your bowel movement change. Bloating and cramping would be expected. Are you eating the same types of food as you did prior to surgery? Regardless, I’d follow up with a Gastroenterologist and let them find out the reason for the lack of bowel movements. Good luck and keep us posted on how your doing…David

Wyodiva, I also would recommend counseling for your depression. I for one advocate for pre surgery counseling as well as post op counseling. Our lives change following any fusion . You need to be your own advocate at times as you know your own body better than anyone. Just know better days are ahead of you…..David

So sorry to hear this.never give up! Things will get better I have had similar problems for over 10 years
I agree opioids will make things worse
Have you ever triedmeditation ? Try you you are not your pain by Danny penman. Book by same name. I listen to that tape frequent ly
.I am now trying mindfulness. Look it up.. try dropping 250 calories each day.

Hello @wyodiva22 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Constipation seems to be a significant issue post-surgery so I wanted to offer another discussion you may wish to join to connect with members who have been dealing with the same types of issues you have:
- Slow gi motility with severe constipation:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/slow-gi-motility-with-severe-constipation/
The fact that you mentioned constipation plus depression makes me also wonder if you have explored the link between gut health and depression to understand better what may be happening in your gut. I found an article that you may find helpful:
- Nonpharmacological approaches to management of functional gastrointestinal disorders — Where are we now?: https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/digestive-diseases/news/nonpharmacological-approaches-to-management-of-functional-gastrointestinal-disorders-where-are-we-now/mac-20454654

Is gut health a topic you have explored?

@wyodiva22 I am a cervical spine surgery patient. There are a few things that stand out to me in your post.

I know going through major surgery is hard and requires patience. Doctors are usually focused on the functional aspect of their surgery and consider it successful if they have fixed something and restored some function or prevented further degeneration. That doesn't mean that for the patient, everything is perfect because surgery is always a compromise. It is emotional too because you grieve the loss of function from the way things used to be. Just getting to the point of needing back surgery is a journey in itself. Healing takes patience and being kind to yourself. There are things we experience as patients that we don't understand.

All surgery creates scar tissue, and if you had major back surgery, the surgical path may have created tightness that may affect how your GI tract can move. I know when I see my PT, and my hip flexors are too tight, she tells me that loosening up the tightness on the body wall near my pelvis can affect movement of stuff through the colon and get it moving again. Tight hip flexors are a common problem if people sit too much. My PT was doing myofascial release and it can help stretch out tight surgical scar tissue and improve body alignment and get the body moving again where it was stuck. Surgical scar tightness can connect to other patterns of fascial tightness in the body and exert a lot of pressure. Not all doctors are familiar with myofascial release therapy. Perhaps it can help.

Here is our discussion on Myofascial Release:

-Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/.

There is medical value in your doctor's comments about getting hormones in balance. That can be addressed with bioidentical hormones from a compounding pharmacy that are made from soy. Some women have changing emotions and anxiety because of changing hormones near menopause. The doctors who prescribe this are often the integrative medicine, functional medicine or environmental allergy doctors. I have experience with this. Hormone replacement helps me have less aches and pains and stops hot flashes. The important thing is that the estrogen must be balanced against progesterone. I also have some testosterone mixed into mine. You may be able to find a prescribing doctor by contacting a compounding pharmacy. They can do this as mail order, and they may be able to give you some doctor's names. The compounding pharmacy my physician uses is Rock Valley Compounding, and I'm sure there are many more.

One of the functions of the colon is to reabsorb water from the digestive tract. If you don't consume enough water, it can lead to constipation. Fiber from vegetables helps by holding onto water as it passes through the digestive tract keeping the contents softer. Adding psyllium such as (Metamucil) is an easy way to add soluble fiber if your diet doesn't have enough fiber. Make sure to drink a lot of water.

Many of us are our own worst critics. I know I have put on some weight because of an ankle fracture a few years ago that has limited my ability to exert myself while on my feet. I move slowly and carefully especially when my ankle is fatigued because I know that too much use is just too much, and I don't want to have to stay off my foot for a week with it hurting. With time and a few years, that is getting better. Hormone changes or low thyroid function can also cause weight gain. Don't be hard on yourself. It may help to talk to a counselor. Sometimes it seems that problems are huge, but that is from your own personal viewpoint (possibly influenced by unbalanced hormones) and getting another viewpoint of the situation may help you learn how you can make changes that can be beneficial. Others may not see you in the same way that you see yourself, and probably are focused on something else.

Have you considered physical therapy or perhaps myofascial release? You may search for a MFR therapist at http://mfrtherapists.com/

I put on quite a bit of weight after a cervical fusion. I have not been myself in the year since my surgery. I understand your frustration and fears. Everyday is a new day to wake up and appreciate the little things. I know that some days are better than others and I try to focus on the positive. I have also been to multiple doctors for months now because of multiple new symptoms. I have been like a ping pong ball because each specialist sends me to someone else. We just have to keep moving forward.
Best of luck to you,
Kat

I understand…I’m getting 3 opinions from neurosurgeons and other doctors before I will schedule surgery. This blog is great…please don’t be so hard on yourself. The surgery is done and now it’s time for you to take back your life.
You probably have to take stool softeners a couple of times a day to get rid of some weight! I have the colon from hell. Take magnesium supplements every night

Yes! I make myself drink water. But I munch on fruits and vegetables. Low inflammatory diet, less gluten, sugar is helping too. My doctor put me on Estrace/estrogen years ago because of depression and memory issues. I can’t remember how many years ago…😜

Be very kind to yourself! I have an had the same feelings. I have a great meditation tape that I'm surprised helps. You could try cutting 250 calories every day. I have tried every other thing. This worked. It's okay if you go over some days. It just slows down progress to but don't let it be a big deal. Hope it could help.

Have you tried a good gastrointestinal dr? I have had 4 spine surgeries and have constipation issues. Diverticulitis a few times. I take miralax everyday and my Gastro also gave me trulance that seems to really work.
I think the nerve damage has caused my bowels to have these problems plus every medication causes constipation. I hope you are able to get some help.