Effect of Vertical Banded Gastroplasty on Low-Back Pain
Effect of Stomach Stapling Surgery on Back Pain and Weight Reduction
| Bariatric Surgery information Effect of Vertical Banded Gastroplasty on Low-Back Pain |
Effect of Stomach Stapling Surgery on Back Pain and Weight Reduction |
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Weight Loss Surgery Information - Bariatric Research Studies |
Low-back pain in morbidly obese patients and the effect of weight loss following surgeryAlthough low-back pain (LBP) is a common health problem and a source of significant discomfort, disability and work absences, its incidence, severity and outcome have not been extensively investigated in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Method 50 morbidly obese candidates for vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) were asked to fill in a questionnaire, to assess the incidence and severity of any existing low-back pain symptoms. 50 non-obese patients, admitted to our surgical unit for management of several benign conditions, were also asked to fill in the same questionnaire and served as controls. 24 months after vertical banded gastroplasty, the morbidly obese patients were again evaluated for their LBP symptoms. Results Low-back pain was identified in 29 morbidly obese patients (58%) preoperatively and in only 12 (24%) of the lean controls (P<0.01). 2 years after vertical banded gastroplasty, with a significant excess weight loss (P<0.0001), only 10 patients continued to have LBP but less frequently and requiring reduced doses of medications compared with the preoperative condition. In the remaining 19 patients with preoperative positive low-back pain history, the postoperative weight loss was associated with complete resolution of the symptoms. Conclusion The frequency of low-back pain is significantly higher in morbidly obese patients than in lean subjects. Surgical weight reduction results in significant improvement and even disappearance of this obesity co-morbidity. Source: Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery |