Question:
Will a herniated disc prevent me from having surgery?
When I went to see my PCP to ask for a referral, I told her about my left leg going numb sometimes. She poked and proded my back and it hurt. She said that I might have a herniated disc that is causing it. Will they not do the surgery if this is true? — Carole S. (posted on November 2, 2001)
November 2, 2001
I have L4-5 herniated disc, MRI detected 4/2000 low back, hip, thigh and
right leg pain, I also have numbness in leg and big toe. I had surgery
1/17/2001 to date I'm 100+ lbs gone forever, this will not prevent you from
having surgery in fact the weight loss helps. You have to decide what is
good you and research, research to be aware of what this surgery will do
for you, not your doctor.
good luck
feel free to email me
— Jamie C.
November 2, 2001
I also have a herniated disc L4-L5. I am scheduled for surgery next
friday. At the age of 22, I had my first ruptured disc, L5-S1, which ended
in surgery. Now, ten years later I am going down the same road. I have
tried different means for relief including meds, physical therapy, steroid
injections, all with no relief. I have been told that taking the weight
off will relieve a lot of the pressure of the discs, but no cure I'm sure.
I have met someone in the support group where I go who also battled
degenerative disc disease and she is now almost pain free after taking off
most of her excess poundage. It was considered a comorbidity for me. I am
holding on to a lot of hope that this will bring me some relief. I hope
you find relief also as this is something that is hard to live with. Good
Luck.
— Cheri M.
November 2, 2001
Me too! L4 & L5, had my RNY on 7/16, 80 pounds gone and while the back
still isn't good, its better. The most significant thing is that I can
spend a longer time on my feet before my right leg goes numb.
— Dee P.
November 3, 2001
In 1997, I was pregnant with my 3rd son when I ruptured my L3-L4. It went
undignosed for over 10 weeks. They said it was just my syatica. I finally
said I am not taking that for an explnation and they did an MRI. It was so
bad I had the operation 1 week later. Because it went untreated for so
long I have permenent nerve damage in my legs. I had a DS on 8/30/01. I
am down 44 lbs and It has gotten a little better, I is still really painful
around that "time of the month" if you know what I mean. My Doc
said there is no guarentee that the surgery will help the back pain. He
said there are people skinner than him that have back pain. Hope that
helps!!
— Jody Diou
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