Arthritis PAIN

I had my RNY on August 10th, BECAUSE of my arthritis.   I'm 51, and my knees are shot, and I can barely walk through a grocery store.  I had a left knee injury about 12 yrs ago, and it was always stiff... but it has gotten progressively worse the past 2-3 years and as a result, I gained even more weight.   And more weight made it worse (catch 22?)  My surgery went fine, and the weight loss is going OK I guess, a little more slowly though, because I cant exercise.   I get very depressed, not being able to do ****  I am still home on short term disability for my surgery (I'm going back to work after labor day), and all i do is watch TV.  I hope and pray that when I lose enough weight, the pain will ease - but I've read posts here, that the pain gets worse!   I stopped taking my arthritis meds 2 wks before surgery, and it sucks that I can't take NSAID's.  My doctor told me to take them as a last resort (and believe me, I am almost there!).   I am going to start taking glucosamine, and I just bought a few DVD's from chairdancing.com.  It's a program to do chair exercises without putting weight on your feet.   Still trying to get motivated to actually do it everyday.   As soon as I can get my weight below 200, I'm going to get my left knee replaced (more fear!) - but I have no choice... unless I want to spend the rest of my life watching TV and going shopping in a motorized cart.  

From what I have heard from so many different ppl who had the surgery and lost weight...the arthritis pain actually does get better.

I do know that the less you move your joints, the worse it gets.  So doing the chairdancing exercises are a great start!  How abou****er aerobics?  That is super low impact and is great for arthritis patients.

I am sorry you are depressed, have you seen your PCP about that b/c there are meds out there that can help as well as once you are less depressed you will be more likely to move more.

I hope you can get the motivation you need.

I am SO sorry that no one told you about the DS (duodenal switch)! It's an alternate, even-more-efffective of WLS that *would* have allowed you to continue to take NSAIDs!

SOME of the pain in my legs has gone away as I've lost weight, but it's done nothing to help the pain in myhands, elbows, shoulders, etc. Maybe it will for you, though.

My rheumtologist has given me prednesolone- steroids.  It keeps the pain from the osteo arthritis in the knee and hip in check.  Worth asking your doctor about.

I need a new knee too!

I know this is not a new post but thought I'd reply anyway.
I read a recent study that showed exercise does improve heart health, but has very little to do with weight loss, unless you are running miles a day, or doing weight lifting for several hours a day.
The majority of people who lose weight don't do very much exercise, considering how few calories are really burned on a treadmill, or by walking a couple of miles a day.
I know it may be going slow, I was 50 when I had my surgery, and lost over a 2 years period, and eventually met my goal.
I have friends who have had hip or knee replacements, and they do very well.
Best wishes.