Arthritis

Hi All,

I was wondering how many of you have had success in getting rid of the pain of worn out joints after losing your weight.

I just had surgery March 17th, I am 57 and I have really bad knees and shoulders.

Thanks,

Brenda

Hi Brenda:

I'm nearly 6 years out, have lost 180 pounds, had knee replacement (then a revision) on my right knee. I still have pain in my right knee so severe I can't sit with it bent for more than about an hour ... this is probably more due to the knee replacement/revision than the arthritis. I have started having more pain in my left knee, but after the problems with the right knee replacement, I'm not doing anything at this time. Plus, I'm now unemployed.

I also have spinal arthritis/degenerative disc disease, which is what pushed me to get the WLS in the first place. I still have some pain in my back, but not nearly as bad as I did before losing weight. Arthritis is a progressive disease; once you have it, it doesn't go away, only gets worse. But taking off the weight will help it to some degree. I don't think it will help your shoulders, though.

I also have fibromyalgia, so that, combined with the arthritis makes me one hurtin' woman. Hope you can get some relief.

Hi Brenda....having weight loss has definitely relieved some of my arthritis pain. It isn't completely gone but I can walk three miles and no pain....stairs are nothing to get up and down now. I was close to being in a wheelchair before surgery. 

I am sooooo glad I had this surgery!! It has changed my life for the better!!

Good Luck to you!

Hugs....connie d

Hi Brenda,
I was picturing myself having to be in one of those motorized chairs real soon before WLS.  After WLS, I can walk as far as I want to, even run with the grandkids.  I still feel a little pain when the weather is changing.  WLS made all the difference.  I hope you see improvement as you get further along from your surgery.
Regards,
Bev

Before I had surgery I too thought I would be one of those old Ladies driving in the motorized chair at walmart. In fact I could barely walk through walmart but refused to use the chair. I took narcotic pain meds every day for pain. My Left hip and shoulder wake me at night they ache so bad when the weather changes.
After surgery I still take pain meds, but I have had enough surgery. No replacements for me. I am more active now than I have been in years and I am happy for it. I still have problems with my left hip and shoulder but It takes more activity before it kicks in. I ride a bike, I walk, shop and cook. I could not do these things before WLS.

Thanks ladies for the info.  I have hope that this WLS will help me and let me do more things than I do now.  I have pretty much quit doing everything.  The pain is just unbearable.  I do not even attempt to walk into Walmart store or do much shopping at all.

I have become pretty much house bound.  When I get my 6 weeks in I plan to get back to the Y and return to my "Rusty Hinges" water exercise class.

Thanks again,
Brenda

I think it really depends on how far along the arthritis has progressed.  For sure losing weight will help with the pain, but my knees are bone on bone and even the steroid injections do not help that much.  If you have some cartiledge left then the steroid injections can help quite a bit and last for quite some time. Once you have taken off a little weight if you still have pain see an orthopedist to diagnose how far along your arthritis has progressed and see if joint injections would help you.