What type of WLS if best for someone with Fibro and RA?

Hi all...I am new to OH site.  I have Fibro and RA and I have already had my orientation for Lap Band and I should be getting a call to schedule my first consultation appointment sometime this week.  I am really anxious to get things going.  I have been overweight my whole life.  I have had Fibro for about 3 or 4 years and was recently diagnosed with RA.  I was wondering which of the WLS would be best for me?  I was wondering if someone could give me some input?  Anyone with Fibro and RA, what kind of WLS did you get?  Thanks for reading.....

It's very difficult for us to give you feed back on this since you really need to discuss this with your surgeon. He may prefer one type over another and will be far more knowledgable than we are. The surgery will do nothing to help the fibro but may help the RA because it will take stree off of your joints.

I do not think there is one WLS that is better for a fibro patient. I can tell you this though, WLS will NOT help your firbo at all. It might make it where you get around a little bit easier from not having all the weight on you but it will not resolve your pain and stiffness at all.
I had the RNY and have lost 63 lbs so far and hurt MORE then when I started. Of course I am a big whiney but too....LOL....But I do not deny it either.
Good luck with which ever you choose........

I'm not sure of which surgery is better for fibro but my surgeon who is one of the best said it is proven to help(RNY that is).  If you think about it too any excessive weight you lose is less stress on both muscle and joint so to think it wouldn't help is a bit nuts I would think.  Seems strange that after losing that weight you are worse.  It might be something you want to check with a specialist on to be safe.  I'm 99.9 percent I have it as well but to get in to see a specialist would be a year and a half here so we'll worry about that long after the surgery.  Good luck with your weight loss

trust all os us we HAVE FIBROMYALGIA and we ALL are tell you the same thing IT DOES NOT HELP THE PAIN AT ALL!! If anything our PAIN is WORSE then when we started!! To LIE and say it helps it would just be WRONG.

Dear "Birdy", I was so disapointed to not get any better after losing a hundred pounds. It is much easier to get around and 'of course' I look mahhhvelous. But I have always told myself that if only I lost  weight alot of other things would get better, Well the fibro part of my life is no better and the pain was worse at first. The pain has moderated--I have read that as your center of gravity adjusts due to the rapid weight loss that everyone hurts. It has been true for me and I have gone back to my previous pain levels. I would do this again in a heart beat though. Wearing a size 8-10 is a thrill that does not go away (I had RNY Aug. of 07). Life is easier but fibro still rules the roost. Christine

While I'm sure you've already discussed this with your surgeon, since you have RA, you may want to consider the RNY or the VSG.  RA is an autoimmune disease (I don't know if they officially consider fibro autoimmune too - I don't have fibro).  The lap band is contraindicated according to the manufacturer in people with a history or even a family history of autoimmune disease.

That said, many people with autoimmune disease have successfully had the lap band surgery.  The first doc I consulted said even with my lupus, he had no problem doing an "off-label" usage of the lap band.  I didn't want to risk it.  I'm having this surgery 1 time and 1 time only.  I'd hate to have a lap band only to need a revision at some point.  Besides, if there is something that can go wrong with lap band in a lupus patient, it would probably happen to me. 

Then again, you will be limited with meds you are able to take if you have RNY.  Definitely something you need to discuss with your surgeon and rheumatologist at least!

So good luck with whatever you decide.  Just make sure your docs are onboard and aware with what's happening.
-TS