How Much Has WLS helped w Joint and Back Pain

Inquiring minds want to know!  Pain is one of my biggest motivators for this surgery.  I'd love to hear how much it has helped you with knee, foot and lower back pain*  Thanks *so* much!

*lower back has herniated discs, and I don't think they'll improve *that* much, however all the weight
pulling on that area can't be helping! 

Hi there..I am a couple of years out from surgery and mypain is actually WORSE!! I have lower back problems, but I only have bulging disks in my neck and lower back, arthritis and some other stuff going on.  I am a chronic pain sufferer and like I said I have gotten worse.  I hope that I am the rare unlucky one. Which surgery are you having?  I had RNY, so no NSAID's for me.  Good luck!!!

I had lapband to get the weight off since I have had one hip resurfaced and am well on my way to the second one, along with the knees playing out.  Unfortunately, I think my hip was too far gone from the start.  It is making the one knee worse as it tries to take over the work load.

Well---I honestly hurt about as much now as I ever did. The biggest difference is that now, I EARN that pain! By that I mean that now I'm much more active---today I spent about 6 hours working in my garden, whereas pre-op about 30 minutes was all I could stand in a day's time.

I do still rely heavily on NSAIDs, and because I *knew* I was never going to be able to give them up---I have pain all over, not just in load-bearing joints---I chose the DS because it would allow me to continue to take NSAIDs 'at will'.

Hi,
I had the realize band in Feb 2009, when i lost the first 30lbs wow it made a differnce then i was at 50 and the pain had returned. I have stalled in my weight loss partly due to the fact that my exercise is limited.  have the lower L1 and 2 which are buldging and pinching my siatic nerve; also have OS of my hip. Yesterday i saw a pain management doct. luckily this doc seems to know what he is doing. He understand the rollercoaster i am on and his plan is to get my pain in order then exercise plan for me. I hope this will help. I guess the key is going to be to find a doc who understands what we go though not just a doc who says  we need to do what we clearly know what needs to be done. Hope my rambling makes sence.

Good luck on ur journey

Janice

Hi  I totally understand your situation.  My orthopedic /neurosurgeon recommends weight loss surgery before a final decision on serious back surgery for spondylolesthesis and spinal stenosis.   The surgery  I have chosen is new, incisionless, same day but there may be  a problem with nsaids, so it is being delayed.  Probably need to see a pain management doc to see if there is something that works other than a whole lot of Ibuprofen.  Arthotec works but seems to have some allergic  reactions with me.  It does help with the pain, however.   It is a vicious circle.  Pain prevents you from being active and you need to be active to help with weight loss..    Your rambling makes perfect sense for anyone with similar problems.

Hi there

I had surgery 5 years ago. before surgery I had degenerative disc disease and my lower back was killing me. I also had/have osteo arthritis in my knees
My back is amazing now, doesn't hurt at all. My knees were better but I guess being 50 and having bad knees all my life doesn't help lol
I want to exercise and was seeing a personal trainer but my knees just can't handle  it. I have to find some water aerobics

Hi Joyce,
I was happy to see your post here.  I was getting quite worried seeing how the other folks are still suffering with their arthritis.  I have arthritis in my feet, knees and lower back as well and I 'm not sure what surgery they will do.  The surgeon made me sign for both the RNY and the Sleeve just in case.  I don't know if he realized how much I rely on my NSAIDS now to help me through the day.  I was told however, that after 3 or 4 months we can return to using them with a stomach coaster such as Prevacid.
Lorraine

hi Lorraine,
since you have  had the  WLS, how are you  feeling /doing with the  amounts  of  pain ? are you more capable walking,sitting ? for any  longer  times ? and do you  have any  aides in ur mobility?
i'm still waiting for my date, so i am  hoping after WLS and excercise i wont be using my  walker and will be able  to climb up and down my stairs in my house without pain and frustration.

thanks Joy

With 30 lbs gone (-45 from highest weight in 2008) my back and knees have responded positively.  One thing I did notice is that my upper back muscles tend to spasm because of my shifting center of gravity.  My chiropractor is my lifeline and gets me back to almost pain free for up to a week at a time.  He said to expect my back and knees to respond this way throughout my weight loss journey as my body adjusts to the fat loss in different areas of my body.  I also expect to have knee replacement and panni removal in the future.