Hi Murfy,
I'm a 36 yr old female who also has R.A. I can't tell you how you would feel after surgery but I can share an experience with you. I was scheduled to have the gastric bypass on Monday the 15. Due to complication I was not able to. After years of taking R.A. meds and the flexibility of my neck they were not able to open my air way during surgery. The anesthesiologist tried 3 different tubes before they decided to cancel my procedure.

In order for me to reschedule my surgery my doctor suggested that I have a treac put in my neck. Do you have stiffness in your neck? Have you had any surgeries in the past?

i have RA and Lupus. i am currently on prednisone, orencia infusions, morphine, and coreg. i am getting open gastric bypass in a couple of weeks. i was wondering if anyone here has RA or other auto-immune diseases and got weight loss surgery. i am worried i will have a bad flare after surgery. i know now when i am in a lot of pain or stress, it causes a flare. i can't imagine what major surgery will do. i am nervous!

i am new to this forum. i have so many questions about my upcoming gastric bypass abd healing. i am 29 years old and 150 lbs overweight. i have gained 100 lbs in the past 2 years since i was finally diagnosed with RA and Lupus. the steroids and not being able to get around and exercise like i used to has contributed to this rapid weight gain. all of my doctors have wanted me to get weight loss surgery because they feel this is the only way i can have a better quality of life and hopefully increase my life span.

i am excited, but also very scared. has anyone here been in my shoes?

 hi... i also have RA and am and RN so this is what i have experienced and know.   it does depend on your particular medications.  for embrel.... the drug leaves your system in one week... thus you have to take the drug weekly.  my mom who takes this drug and just had the vsg was instructed to stop the injection one week prior to surgery.  she decided to give it two weeks.  and then was told she could continue 3 weeks out but gave it 4 weeks  to be on the safe side.  methotrexate does have a longer effect in your system.  my mom is not on methotrexate so i do not know what the RA doctor would have said.  so maybe some others will have info.  just a side note.... i am steroid dependent.  i have been on medrol for 18 years.  so with steroids if you are dependent you are not able to stop abruptly so for sure take with your surgeon for specifics. hope this helps and best wishes on your future surgeries.  and congratulations on your successful weight loss.  kelly

I'm on Remicade and Methotrexate, both of which lower the immune system.  I've had a hysterectomy and a DS and healed fine with both.  I did take a break from the meds for a month before each surgery.