I do not know where to find this particular attorney, but I am using Obesity Law (Walt Lindstrom) for my appeal. His website is www.obesitylaw.com. Hope this helps. Good luck. Susan

Hello all, I am so glad I found this message board! I am scheduled for lap RNY in August. I have RA and currently inject with Enbrel, take methotrexate and Celebrex. I am wondering if their are post ops with RA and took similar meds pre surgery. I am just concerned about what to expect. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Lynne

I am about 5 years out from having my right knee replaced. The pain after surgery was never as bad as the knee pain before. The rehabilitation was lengthy, but prior to my surgery, my knee had frozen and I had to have an abnormal about of rehabilitation...18 months. It is usually only about 12 weeks to 6 months max. Just like with WLs there is a period of time when you ask yourself...what have I done?...during the first year. But that passes and soon, other than setting off alarms at airports, you won't know it is there. It feels very natural...I can even dance....that took a while. I can ride a bicycle, but I went to a tricycle, because you don't want to take a chance of falling. I also notice that I cannot do things that require a lot of pressure ...like pedalling uphill on the tricycle...but really, how often do you have to do that. It'sl ike WLS...if you need it...it is a miracle.

Sandra - I am hoping to clear the insurance hurdles sometime by the end of this year 2005 and I too have RA, taking injectible Methotrexate and other immunosuppressive and NSAID drugs. My RA doc and an infectious disease doctor say that switching to the "biologicals" like Enbrel, Remicaid, Humira, is the right thing to do. I only take Prednisone when a flare-up hits......but both say that AFTER surgery, we might need and really require steroids to help the body cope with the trauma. Both say we'll wait till AFTER the surgery to determine that....be sure that you have preop labs for the RA, just to have a baseline. Check your RA and CRP levels for sure, and get a sed rate done. The surgeon's concern was for compromised healing, and I've tried to cut back or get off the arthritis meds because the surgeon's NURSE said to do that. I consulted with the rheummy and he agreed to try, and I had a terrible crisis. The rheumatologist has now said NOT to try to modify the meds until just at surgery, and he will call the surgeon and discuss directly the course needed. Lots of people have major surgery with arthritis drugs and do just fine, we just have to be more vigilant. I also take pain medicine regularly, and this is VERY important to tell the anesthesiologist, since we may require extra pain meds not because of the surgery but because of the RA. Things may hurt a lot because of the underlying disease, but it can be coped with effectively. Best wishes for your "event", and hope this info helps.

Hi Judy, Thanks so much for your reply. I had my ortho preop this past Tuesday, and all my preop tests today. I will be having my total knee replacement done in 2 weeks. Congrats on your fantastic weight loss. I've lost 102 lbs. My surgeon said I will hate him for 3-6 months after my surgery. I'll be in the regular part of the hospital for 3-5 days and then inpatient rehab for 1 week. I wish I had wls several years ago too. Have a great weekend!! Terri