Wouldn't Do It Again

Well. Hello All. I just had to vent a little. I had gastric bypass surgery over 10 years ago. I have regretted it since day one. However, I am more regretful now than ever. I thought I understood all the negatives associated with the surgery. It is obvious to me now that I didn't. I am mainly speaking to the no NSAIDS rule. I never really knew the difference between Tylenol and Advil, Aleve, etc. I thought they were all pain medication that took away pain. I didn't know they worked so differently. Boy was I stupid.

As I have gotten older and have arthritis, the only real pain reliever that works is anti-inflammatory medication. Anti-inflammatory medicine is so crucial in the fight against joint pain. I didn't see the bigger picture. I see so many people with upcoming surgery dates and wonder if they have really thought about the long term. Sure, you may get the weight off, get off of diabetes medication, but never being able to use NSAIDS is just too much of a trade-off in my opinion.

Also taking the vitamins every day. I do it...but what about when I am 80+? It's already a pain to remember to take this one at this time and not too close to that one, not too close to coffee, etc. I can't imagine being elderly and trying to remember all this AND being in pain. Sigh. The sleeve wasn't available or covered by insurance when I had my surgery.

Again. Just had to vent. Thanks!

Sorry you've had so much trouble. I hope you can find some relief. I did discuss this exact topic with my surgeon and his staff and they said they have a regimen the is acceptable should I need it. Maybe you need to check with a good bariatric staff that deals with these issues. I hope you can get some good advice and pain mgmt.

Thank you so much for taking the time to post a reply. My doctor told me to take a holistic approach.. ginger, turmeric, etc. I will definitely look into getting another opinion. Knowing there may be another regimen out there gives me hope.

My wife just saw her Rheum today and her Colitis might make NSAIDs a no go for her Osteo and she too mentioned turmeric pills as being very effective. That and tart cherry juice. Discuss Mobic or Celebrex and a PPI with your doctor. Unless you have specific issues with these drugs, that might help. I didn't discuss this product, but misoprostol might be combined with other traditional NSAIDs. It's all a risk benefit to be assessed. Again I hope you can find some relief.

In my reading about surgery, I recall someone raising this very same point. That we may not need them now-- but may need them as we age. I did take it into account, along with family history. Arthritis is not a significant finding in my family-- diabetes is. And I'm one who always preferred acetaminophen anyway- and it's worked for me.

Re: vitamins, have you considered the patches? There are definitely days where I say, this is getting old- but I don't want complications so I suck it up and deal.

Loving the new pic, peachpie!!

Sorry you have had a difficult time with your RNY.

I just had my RNY but am well aware of the N-SAID discussion most patients have to have --- for me it was a non-issue, I am anaphylactic to them. I do however have arthritis, fibromyalgia etc. I know they will continue to get worse and I have gone to using doTERRA essential oils to help with the inflammation and pain.

Have you tried Celebrate vitamins? They are made specifically for members who have had RNY surgery. They are chewable, 2-in-1, 4 tablets a day, makes it so much easier... You chew 2 in the morning and two at night. No worries of interactions etc.

I hope this is helpful.

Jackie

Well, the NSAIDS thing wa a very real consideration for me. Arthritis runs in all the women in my family, and at age 42 my finger joints are already swelling with it. In the end, I went with the surgery because, well, weighing 375 is also bad for arthritis. At that weight my feet and hips hurt every day. Now they don't. So...I know it's a trade off,,,I guess I'm gambling that by the time I am my grandmothers age there will be better treatments for arthritis pain.

I'm sorry you feel this way.

I had bad arthritis long before RNY. NSAIDS gave me no relief, so giving yhem up was not a problem. Losing 60 percent of my body weight has helped the arthritis pain immensely, far better than NSAIDS ever would have.

Long term NSAID use for anyone, WLS or not, is a very bad idea. More and more evidenceis coming to lihht about just how bad they can be. So it may have done you a bigfavor.

I use patch vitamins. I put 3 on every day, and all my supplement needs are done. Couldn't be easier.

And the sleeve wouldn't have made a difference. They are under the same prohibition from NSAIDs that RNYers are, need to take the same supplements, and often suffer from horrible gerd.

I don't know any 80 year olds who don't take daily medication for one thing or another. I'd say adding a daily vitamin regimen is the least of your old person worry.