Question
I had a gastric bypass done in 2008, and have noticed that with my pain medications for chronic back pain only seems to last about 2 hours. I am on oxycodone 15mg. I really don't want to complain to my pain management doctor, but if I take them when I start to hurt each time I wouldn't have enough to last. I can't find anything at all about absorption and pain meds. But I know I am malnutrition and have trouble gain weight and keeping it on.

Answer
Dear Dee,

In my opinion, you are looking for the wrong answer:  information on pain meds and absorption.

Every injury and every surgery prompts muscular contractions triggered by the wounding and pain of the wound.  These contractions are known as "trauma reflex."  Gastric surgery wounds the front of the body, which causes contraction, there, bending you forward.  The back muscles must tighten up constantly to keep you from bending forward, leading to muscle fatigue.  There's your chronic back pain.

The correct answer is one that alleviates the muscular contractions, both front and back.

Moreover, if you are in malnutrition, the gastric surgery is to very likely to blame and a doctor visit is in order.

Now, as to the pain, I'm directing you to articles I have written.

Self-Relieve Your Own Back Pain : http://somatics.com/back_pain.htm
Completing Recovery from an Injury : http://somatics.com/recovery_from_injury.htm
Pain Relief : http://somatics.com/movement.htm

good wishes,
Lawrence Gold