I'd like to know...

how you felt before your WLS and how you feel now.  I currently suffer from pain in my lower back, legs and feet.  I am currently awaiting my final pre-op appt and surgery date.  I am hoping and praying that this surgery will give me some relief from the pain I have.... I have a herniated disk in my back along with some arthritis, fallen arches, tarsal tunnel, vit D deficiency, osteopenia and just plain feel rough.  I feel pretty down in the dumps and have a hard time at work... some days I can hardly walk.  I'd love to hear any stories from you as to how you felt before surgery and how you feel now.  I need to feel that there is hope for me. 

Prior to surgery, I suffered from pain in my back, knees and hips.  Although the pain in my back isn't completely gone (it's arthritis) it has slowed down to a very managable level. It usually only acts up if I am overexherting myself or with the changes in weather conditions.

There is most definitely hope for you. I can't remember the exact number but my doctor told me that for every pound you lose, it's like taking 10 pounds of pressure off these areas (or something like that).  Don't give up; you are on your way to a much more manageable future. 

Good luck!

Colleen

Wow... 1 pound = 10 pounds of pressure?  No wonder I hurt so bad!  I have some arthritis, but the docs don't seem too concerned about it... they say so far it is very little.  I sure hope I hear from the surgeon's office soon, I want to start feeling better. 

Rosey
Welcome to the Michigan OH boards. and To Your journey to a happy healthier you!

I retired in April of 2008, With in the first month of retirement MY BACK decided that I would no longer be able to stand for more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time, I could not vacuum or climb steps, Standing at the stove long enough to cook dinner, load the dishwasher or even take food from the grocery cart to put on the check out was impossible for me.  Prior to surgery I had to wear orthopedic in my shoes because of severe foot pain, (planter something itis) and Athrites in my knees.
Then the frosting on the cake, I was undergoing what is called pain blockers. they say that they do 3 treatments, if they work or you GeT any improvement after each treatment it will be successful. MY first treatment I could dance a jug, but after the second I felt like I would never be able to walk again,  I knew that over the year prior to this that I had gained like 100 lbs, and I decide that I would not get any other treatment on my bac****il I had lost the weight I had gained. So to my PCP I went.

While being tested for blood it was discovered that I had the on set of diabetes.

Since surgery I have not need any of the blood sugar medicine. Walked in a 5K race for the cure and the 5K tulip-time with friends from OH - MI boards. and Last summer I edged the side walks around my corner lot house, Painted a 2.5 car garage from top to bottom. Cleaned the basement. Do my own grocery shopping and carry laundry up and down the basement steps to launder them. My Knees and feet are painless. 

I have lost 130 lbs so far and am still slowly losing. I feel better and happier than ever.
dropped from a men's 4x t shirt to a ladies large, pants 28w to a 16. and shoe size 9 eee to a 8 m.

I would do it all over again if I had too, and not bat an eye lash thinking about it.

Side effect. ENERGY AND COMFORT!
Watch out cause your kids will get mad cause you don't let them be slugs anymore either LOL

PS love your avatar
Please tell me your dogs name is Frankie or Francine!

I have always wanted a pug. but my shepard babies won't let me get another kid.!

I have also gone the pain injection route with no luck... yesterday and today the pain in my feet and ankles has been terrible.  I have at least 10 years before I can retire... at this rate I just don't know how I am going to make it.  I pray this surgery will help... even if all the pain is not gone, if it at least becomes bearable, that would be great.  Diabetes runs in the family so if I do no****ch it I am a good candidate for it... that is something else I am trying to prevent.  I would like to lose around 150 pounds but will take what I can get.  I have some challenges such as dairy does not agree with me so the nutritionist is working with me to find alternatives for protein.  I also worry what will happen if the pain does not ease... what my choices will be for pain relief.  Sigh...
As for my little pug... the breeder's son had named him Frankie, but when he became mine, I changed his name to Ziggy (after my dad... nickname they called him at work).  I love him to pieces and would love to be able to get down on the floor and play with him.  He is 5 now. 

Something you may want to think about is that you will not be able to take NSAIDS post op.  I know I miss Advil and I don't have any of the problems you have, my hubby however does.  He had RNY almost 2 years ago and the ruptured discs he has have become more of a challenge trying to control the pain.  There are other surgical options out there that would allow you to continue to take NSAIDS you may want to look itno them.

As for the Vit D deficiency and osteopenia, RNY will not help those, they will in fact become more of a challenge.  You should really try get those under control now when your body can absorb your supplements better.

Good luck,

Edie

My surgeon has me on Drisdoll for the vitamin D def and upped my calcium intake... so we are working on that.  I am worried about the NASAID thing too.  My surgeon's office told me the only options my insurance would cover was lap band or RNY... otherwise I would choose one of the other options.  I think tho that I will discuss it with him again.

I have not clue what Drisdoll is, I take D3 from a company called BioTech, I have been taking it for YEARS!  Is your a D3?, that's really the best one for us, I was taking it long before RNY.

Yea, I understand the RNY thing, my ins. would only cover RNY or Lap band too, that's why I did RNY.  But I do miss Advil!

Edie

I have an inflammatory arthritis which is mainly in my hips and back. Prior to surgery I was on Enbrel, methotrexate and indocin. I now take none of those! Indocin is an nsaid so I had to be off of that, but it has been wonderful!

My Dr filed for special consideration for me to get the sleeve due to the potential need for NSAIDs in the future.

Good luck!