Hi All! - Sleeved on 3/2/2009 - HW was 417; CW: 256! (I'M LOVING IT!!) 

But, I've worn out my 3rd mattress in 12 years and I wake up daily in horrible back, neck and/or hip pain!  After extensive research, I'm strongly considering a Sealy "Meadow Crest" LATEX mattress WITHOUT a 'pillow top' (I've learned the hard way that in 3-4 years ALL pillow tops bear a strong resemblance to the Grand Canyon coincidentally with your exact body outline!).

The new latex mattresses feel incredible -  like NOTHING I've ever experienced  - I'm almost 'giddy' at the thought of sleeping on it every night! But I thought I'd first ask my fellow 'former-fatties' ... Am I making the right move???  I HATE the feel of the 'smart foam' - It's like sleeping on play dough & it squeezes your body  to the point where you have to struggle to get out of bed  and I will NEVER go back to traditional coil innerspring mattresses and finally, Inflatable sleep beds are not an option for me. 
 
I'm a new person with a different body now  - Has any fellow sleever slept any length of time on a LATEX mattress AFTER losing all the weight?? I'd REALLY appreciate any advice before shelling out nearly $3,000.

THANKS Y'ALL!!!
Dave in Louisiana

I'll soon be 52, and they're STILL telling me I'm too young for knee replacements, because they have a limited lifespan. Seems that the second time they replace them they often don't do well, too.

I've lost 165 pounds, which has helped---but I swear my knees would hurt if I didn't weigh but 90 pounds. The SynVisc shots help me quite a bit, but my insurance will only cover then once per 12 months (cheap *******s), and the doc says everyone who takes them really should have them every six months.

On the good side, six years ago Canada was trialing a new form fo knee surgery that actually replaced the cartilage, and it was a much less invasive procedure. I need to check on that again---maybe the US will be doing it soon.

I have chronic tendonitis and bursitis.  Instead of just being in my right shoulder, I now have it in my left knee and left hip.  I really need to be on a regimine of anti-inflammatories but am too scared to do it.  When I was first out of RNY, my surgeon gave me a prescription for Arthrotec along with Prevacid.  That helped but like all other NSAIDS I took, it stopped working so I stopped taking it.  Big Mistake!  I don't know what to do now.  I'm almost 4 years out and really need something other than percocet or oxycontin for the pain.  These really make me goofy not to mention the chance of addiction.  Any ideas?

I too have `severe arthritis in my spine. I have a ton of pain and am sometimes get so I can hardly walk around the house. I also have osteoporosis in my spine. I see a pain specialist and get bilateral facet injections at 3 levels. Usually I get great relief when they begin to work. This physcian told me that bariactric surgery would be good because while I can't get a new back, I will feel much better and feel more like moving around. He also says that walking is the best therapy I can do, but it must be slow walking for a good amount of time and not to take the dog. He pulls on his leash, which hurts. Swimming is good, too, but I've noticed that when I am hurting even that increases pain. Another good thing to do is to see a physical therapist to get exercises that strengthen core muscles, since if they are weak all this big belly hangs right off my spine. Cdheck it out. One last suggestion, I use a product called Biofreeze, it comes in several forms but I like the one that is like a roll on deoderant so I can put it where I need it. Frequently I get enough relief that I can get to sleep, or need to use just Tylenol. I showed it to my mom, a friend, and my oldest daughter and they all use it now and have passed it on to others. My first batch came from a chiropractor, then a local physical therapy center began carrying it. Just some ideas that may help. Just know I feel your pain.

Michelle,

Just wondering what you have found out about your knees.  I am 39 years old and have bone on bone on my left knee and not far behind on the left.  I am also taking Vicodin for the pain.  I have been to several Orthopedic surgeons, and they all tell me the same thing, you are to young for a replacement.  I finally found one that will do it, but he wants me to wait as long as I can.  Well, I do not want to gain any more weight after losing 130 pounds, and I don't like that I can't play with my kids.  I can't go down the stairs to do the laundry.  I can't go sledding with the kids.  This just sucks.  So now what do I do, have the surgery to have a better life now, or live on the pain meds and be a zombie and not play with the kids while they are young. 

Thanks

Tammy