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The damage already done to your knee(s)or hip(s) is not going to get better, only worse. Weight loss will significantly reduce the wear on your joints but cannot undo the damage done. The point to my post is simply this: yes, loose the weight! But do NOT be afraid of joint replacement!! The pain you feel now is so much worse than what you would feel after joint replacement surgery because most of it, you won't remember.
In the recovery phase, you absolutely MUST do physical therapy. It can easily be scheduled around your work, etc. and if you do not have it, you will not have a great rehab. And yes, you will be in pain the first few weeks but you can manage it and they give you pain meds. After about 2 months, you will wonder why you waited so long.
And for those docs *****fuse joint replacement until after WEIGHT LOSS, find a better doc! The current thinking is more realistic in that, we are in a vicious circle with joint pain and weight. You can not reasonably lose one without losing the other. The docs now should and most do, realize this to be true and are doing the joint replacements AND strongly suggesting weight loss by any measure, surgical or not.
I had both knees replaced within 5 years of each other and after the first, for about 5 days, I swore I would never do the other one. But I did and will NEVER regret it! For the first one, 10 years ago, I weighed 321. For the second, I was up to 355 or so. I do not suggest having both done at the same time. My mother had both hips done, within 3 months of each other. That is more realistic for the rehab phase.
I have no medical knowledge and the posts that I put n this and any board is from my own experience only. Seek medical knowledge from the doctors.
I believe it may be that they may seem loose but continued exercise will help tighten and tone the muscles, ligaments and tendons that hold your joints in place.
I have no medical knowledge and any post I place on any board is strictly knowledge from my own experiences and not to be confused with actual medical knowledge. Talk to a doctor for medical concerns.
Gina, where are you located if you don't mind? You need other doctors!! The surgeons around me are of the belief that losing weight and replacing bad joints are integral to each other, you cannot have one succeed without the other. Your docs are still in the stone age. Did you have your WLS on the 12th? How are you now?
I had my first knee replaced when I weighed 321. 5 years later, after a bad fall with injuries and weighing 355, my left knee was replaced. My mother, at 201 had both hips replaced, surgeries were within 3 months of each other and she was about 74 years old. She rehabbed at my house so I can speak for that experience as well. Before any of my surgeries, I watched it being done on the internet, live surgeries. By the time I got there, I knew what to expect. In fact, when my first knee was done, they only gave me an epidural and I sort of woke up while they were using a hammer on my knee, I could hear them but couldn't feel a thing. They remembered that.
The recoveries are hard and there is pain but they give you strong medication and when all is said and done, you remember very little if any of the pain. What you DO remember, is how badly you hurt BEFORE the surgery. And then you realize what a great choice you made!
Let us know how surgery went. I wish you all the best.
I am not a doctor and do not profess to have medical knowledge. Any post I make on this or other sites is from my own experience and nothing more. See a qualified doctor for medical issues.
Hi Judy,
Since I am a bandster hoping for revision, I may not be who you wanted to respond but if anything I have to say can help you, it's all good.
How did your surgery go? I have severe osteoarthritis, fibro, narrowing of the cervical spine, protruding disks, a fractured vertebrae and lumbar spinal stenosis, bi-lateral carpel tunnel, a destroyed rotator cuff AND had lost weight with the band but have regained it all due to malfunction of the band.
That said, I can identify with your pain in walking and every other daily routine we tend to take for granted. When I had lost 79 pounds, I felt soooo much better and could do so much more! But, that was before 3 nasty falls and worsening of my spine issues. Even at that, I still had a lot of pain but for a while was off all pain meds besides Tylenol.
I have had the shots, cauterization of nerve endings in my back and neck, (rhisolysis), 3 years on Percocet and now on Tramadol that just barely takes the edge off the pain.
I have no medical knowledge and you should always seek professional help with issues. That said, I would try weight loss first and by your surgery date, you have. Give it a while and see what happens before taking the back surgery route. You could be pleasantly surprised!
Please keep up with me on your surgery and progress. I am interested in knowing since we share so much in pain. And truly hope your success with the sleeve is wonderful for you!!
Karen
on 3/2/14 7:36 am - Magnolia, VA
My husband was in his 50's and his knee was bone on bone. The orthopedist did not understand how he could walk into his office. He did the new type of knee replacement where they do not cut into your quadriceps. He did his exercises as prescribed and attended all physical therapy sessions. He is as good as new. It was Dr. Lyonburger with Baylor who did the surgery here in Houston. Great surgeon.
Dear bangkokbob,
I had my Lap band in June, 2009, this was the best thing I ever did. prior to that i was 5'0" 205 pounds, had DM started on insulin, High blood pressure, Hypothyroidism, and sleep Apnea. within 3-4 weeks of the Lapband I went from a size 20- 14 and by September i was a size 10. But that is not the best thing that happened, i was off all blood pressure meds, insulin within 3 months, my sleep Apnea is gone, my thyroid is functioning to almost normal, and my 400 cholesterol is at 168. at 60 years of age I am healthier than i was at 30.
Regarding the sleeve, as a nurse and having colleagues that have done it , it is a total different ball game. With the Lap Band there has not been any changes to my stomach size or function, no invasive procedure, and control is in my hands tighter band , less tight it is up to me to change my behavior and the lap band is my "policeman". any surgery that will change the size or function of the stomach has more complications and side affects. Also think of the stomach what is it? a muscle that can expend? yes it is, i believe if for some reason a person needs a bypass or sleep it should go together with the "policeman" ( lap band) lets be honest we are obese because we have no control and we have been on million yo yo diets, have made promises to ourselves and loved ones - we are addicts to food. if today for some reason I needed my lap band off - I WILL BE AGAIN 200 Pounds i cant promise to "be good".
My attitude towards eating has changed to that of a "skinny" person, I eat today because I have to eat for nutrition, not because i FEEL like eating. ( that is the definition between obese and not obese person). I do not use food as a crutch when i am down.
since I do not have hunger pains, I prepare for myself meals ( I eat every 2 hours) , took trial and error and a lot of regargitating to find my sweet spot with the band and to stop the mistakes. each person is different and you will have a lot of misserable times , as when you go out with friends and you say ok just tonight i will eat what every one is eating, you will spend the money and it will be in the toilet ball of the restaurant and you will not be able to eat after that for 12 hours. i
I go out socially, I have learned what to order, my friends know what i can and cant do, such as having ****tails and eating- i cant drink and eat. so we order a drink and we ask the restaurants do you rush your customers? if yes, we do not go there. I tell the waiter when to put the food up to prepare it after the ****tail and soup ( at least 15 minutes after). You make a life changing choice, it is hard but worth it. I love my Lap Band it is my best friend. and my Husband says i am a chip date lol, ( we usually share an appetizer and the main meal). My friends who to the most part either are obese, or just can eat all in sight and drink alot and spend at least 100 dollars a person when they go out to eat. Loved FINDING that we have a good time when we go out when we order a few appetizers to share and 1 meal per 2 people.
One more thing: I do not know how old you are or your social life, it gets better when you feel better about yourself :-) but this is what i told my doctor ( an he has a lap band too) - i want to socialize, i do not have any intentions of filling too tight and unable to do food but only liquids, i do not want to be miss universe, but feel full of energy, like myself , and enjoy my life. i have an 11cc band that has NEVER been filled more than 6.1- ( i have not had any changes to it in the past 3 years) i maintain my weight between 127-131 and i am happy with my size 8 :-) - would be happier with a tummy tab but it is not a priority cant afford it. in that case i would be a size 2-4. But it is not my size it is my HEALTH that I am enjoying so much.
I have 2 little story you might like: 2 months after the lap band my 5 year old grand daughter asked me to play hide and seek, and she said " I know Mama you will count and I will Hide it is hard for you to hide" and i answered: " You know what L. you count and i will hide" i went under the dinning room table and hid there, my daughter was sitting on the couch watching the frustration of her daughter seeking me out and not finding me. She finaly sat on the floor and cried " Mama went home" i made some noise and she looked and started to laugh and very excited said:" Mommy, look at Mama SHE CAN BEND DOWN SO LOW AND GO UNDER THE TABLE". I knew that minute I did the right thing!!.
Second story was about the IMAGE of me to myself and others: my granddaughter came over , it was maybe 3-5 months after the lap band, and very seriously said : "Mama Phil lost his chair" ( Phil is my grandson he was 3 at that time) , I answered:" what happened to his high chair we need to go buy a new one? she laughed and said: " silly Mama he lost HIS CHAIR ( Pointing to my stomach where I used to sit him lol ) Mama you have lost the halli bread in your stomach he has no place to sit now" ( Halli is a Jewish bread made for the sabbath). i looked in the mirror and realized aha i do look nice, and i am so comfortable physically and emotionally.
i Just went through being sick with Bronchitis, and developed reflux, 1 cc of the band had to be taken out, to allow the esophagus to heal. I just wanted a guarantee from Dr. Fielding when he took the 1 cc out that it would go back in. he promised within 1-2 months. I have gained in past two weeks 2 pounds and that is ok, but I am thinking now is the time to make believe all the 6.1cc are still in it and even though I can after 4 years eat a 1/4 of a slice of bread without toasting it, and i can have TBS of rice and 1/4 cup of pasta I WILL NOT BOTHER -
I eat because I have to keep nourishment not because I FEEL like just eating. Dont get me wrong I will be "Tasting" things I have not eaten in 4 years but taste only. and work now on MY THINKING - i have the band , but I have me to make my choices ( with the help of my policeman ) and will control the amount of the NO NO foods for just a little while.
I hope this helps, it is a change of life style, a change of happier days, healthier days, and self reflection of what is really important. al
PS. A hernia repair is done during the Lap Band placement. also I did consult with my MD, GI , Pulm. - all told me have it done your issues are due to obesity!! As a nurse I weighed carefully all, I do not ever recommend doctors to my patients it is not ethical but I have to say that in this case NYU and doctor fielding and his team are the best there, check them out, look at doctor fieldings library on his site on line. and HE HAS A LAP BAND. HE DOESNT JUST TALK THE TALK HE WALKS IT !!!
Good luck you will do just fine.
Leah
.
on 2/26/14 10:23 am
I had knees and hips done......before the bypass. It's worth it to me....even though i use a wheelchair, i can walk some, and the social consequences of life in a chair SUCK.......less employment, less socializing, less housing opportunity, less independence, more financial burden. The surgeries are hard, but they are kind of like childbirth....i don't remember the pain now. I also have had ulcers, which healed with medication. There are people here that have had DVT and have experience. The hip surgery is a LOT easier than the knee surgery, although neither is a walk in the park. At the same time, walking, and moving is sooooo worth it. They gave me compression stockings after the surgery to prevent DVT. IDK your whole medical history. I have about ten different kinds of doctors.....from orthopedics to gastro to oncology to cardio....asthma etc.....and some of them "get" the bypass, some don't. Doctors often also have big huge egos. I do my own research, and ask a lot of questions and get second opinions, and get the doctors talking to each other. My Bariatric surgeon has had many a conversation with other specialists, and they talked risks of surgery. I make my own decisions and there are not any easy choices. I know that I would definitely do another leg surgery again, in a hot minute, if there was a slight chance of getting rid of the wheelchair. I am grateful for it, because I would be incapacitated without it. At the same time, it is lonely, and expensive and socially frustrating. Plus the pain of not being able to walk, and move, plus muscle break down.....good luck whatever you decide. Maybe your docs can chat.
Hi All, I'm new here. I just got my sleeve surgery scheduled for March 11. I have RA which is under control with the use of Enbrel and a host of other health ailments, many of which I hope will be helped with WLS. I have had very bad pain from OA in my spine and facets along with extensive spinal stenosis for about 2 years now which makes walking any distance of more than a block extremely painful. I also have nerve damage and muscle weakness in my thighs due to the spinal stenosis, so I'm sure I will need back surgery at some point, too. I was back and forth over which to do first, but most of my doctors said that the WLS should significantly help the back pain and may even eliminate the need for back surgery. I'm just wondering if anyone here also has spinal stenosis or back OA and whether they found relief from WLS. How much and did it affect your ability to walk well? We went the epidural shot route which didn't help at all.
Thank you for any help you can give me.
Judy
I JUST TURNED 48 BEEN .TRYING FOR 7 YEARS NOW TO HAVE A HIP REPLACEMENT .I HAD NO INSURANCE TIL NOW . BUT BECAUSE IT HAS TAKEN SO LONG ,AND MY MOBILITY WAS DEMINISHING MORE AND MORE EVERY YEAR ,THE 145LBS. I LOST BACK IN 2010 IS NOW BACK AND IT BRUNG COMPANY . I GOT UPTO OVER 320 .MY HEALTH WAS BAD .BUT THEN I FOUND OUT THAT THEY NOW WERE NOT GOING TO DO MY HIP SURGERY BECAUSE OF MY WEIGHT.THEY TOOK 3 YEARS TO TELL ME THIS.BY THEN , THE PAIN MEDS THAT I WAS FIGHTING SO HARD TO STAY AWAY FROM WERE NOW A DAILY NECCESITY . THE PAIN STILL IS UNBAREABLE . ITS BONE AGAINST BONE AND HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS . I CAN BARELY WALK , AND THATS EVEN WITH THE AID OF A WALKER .ON A WHEELCHAIR OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE.SO I GOT PUT ON A LIST AT A COUNTY HOSPITAL FOR A GASTRIC BYPASS AND TRIED LOSING WEIGHT ON MY OWN WHILE I WAITED FOR MY NNUMBER TO BE CALLED .IM NOW DOWN TO 252 AND I HOPEFULLY GET MY SURGERY DATE HANDED TO ME ON THE 12TH OF MARCH. MY FEAR IS DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS. AND IT ALSO SEEMS TO BE MY BYPASS SURGEONS. I NEED TO WALK ALOT AFTER THE SURGERY. BUT IM SO LIMITED . IM STARTING TO GET SCARED ON WHETEHER THE SURGERY IS WORTH THE RISK. AM I JUST GETTING COLD FEET .
You've contacted us since the 2013 Conference so here is the 4-1-1: We are excited to announce the details for the ObesityHelp Conference 2014.
The conference for this year will be held in Los Angeles, California on August 15-16, 2014.
To sign up for the latest updates and other details, check our OH Blog.
Please join us for the fun, education, information and vendor samples.
Kim Gyurina, Event Manager
