I have a question...

On my "Doctor's Outpatient Orders" paperwork. It has a place for your next appt. then down below it says diagnosis and in that line it reads... Diagnosis: Morbid Obesity, Post Lap Banding Status, Osteoarthritis Now I understand the first two but no one talked to me about the last. Could this be something they found while I was in surgery? Are they referring to my back problems? I know I have DDD AND DJD but didn't know about the Osteoarthritis. What is it? Can it be fixed or is this one of those "getting older and have to deal with it" problems? Does this mean I won't be able to give up my vicodin and flexeril once I lose my weight? I have to take those 2 meds. everyday for my back but I was so hoping that once the weight was off I would be off those meds as well. Now, with this Osteoarthritis...what should I be expecting? Do I already have it or is it something thats coming? HELP!! Deb M.

Deb, Don't worry, that is what DJD is. It is arthritis. Osteoarthritis means it affects the bones with wear and tear where rhumatoid arthritis affects the joints with inflamation.It can be in any joint or all joints.Hope this helps. Julia

I just had to comment on how beautiful your Golden is. I have one too & i love him like family (because he is). His name is Mike. What's your's? Kathy C.

Thank you Kathy....his name is JAKE and yes, he is part of the family. My baby boy at over 100lbs and still thinking he is a lap dog! I was sitting at my desk, playing with my camera. He walked up, sat down and was watching me so I took his pic...he usually poses!...lol Deb M

Deb Not to worry, Osteoarthritis is just a diagnosis that more than likely is why your insurance is approving the surgery. And yes it is something we GET as we age. Nope there is nothing we can do about it. If you have any kind of back problems you probably have it. It's easy enough to find if you google it - you'll read What it is and why it happens. Hope this helps Pat B.

Thank you Pat...all info helps! I have been doing a little reading since I discovered that in my paperwork (yea, I know I need to pay closer attention to the Doc's orders). I thought I had everything he said and the appt time down, then hubby told me it was on the 9th not the 10th so I had to go see and prove to him........that I was wrong!...lol Yes, I have major issues with my back! I have had 2 back surgeries. One to fuse L5/S1 and a partial discectomy on L4/L5. Now L3/L4 is bulging so my "other doc" said no more back surgery until the weight comes off and he was the one that suggested Lap Band! He also said to Dr. H that if I have the Lap Band and lose the weight I may not need the third back surgery....oh how I pray for that one!! I felt a little dumb after the posts started coming back...I'm like duh! Why do I have a computer? All I had to do was look it up! I guess it was just one of those "blonde" moments? A panicked moment? Who knows but I thank all of you that replied and didn't just think it was a stupid question! Love & Prayers, Deb M