Wouldn't Do It Again

I'm so sorry you aren't happy with your surgery.

I was never able to take NSAIDS or aspirin because of my allergies/asthma, so it wasn't a problem for me.

Most 80 year olds are on so many pills one more vitamin wouldn't matter much, IMO. They make those little containers to separate pills on a weekly/daily basis to make it easier to remember, and some pharmacies will organise pills into daily/hourly blister packs. My cousin has that done because she's on so many meds she has a hard time. She never had surgery.

There are lots of anti inflammatory foods and herbs, as well as fish oil that can help, but I don't know a lot about that. My doctor suggested Omega 3 fish oil to me.

Some days I miss NSAIDs because they were the best for managing some joint pains. As others have said, getting the weight off my joints has also helped. My main thought after reading your post and the concern about being 80+ and taking extra supplements is that I highly doubt I would have lived to 80+ without the surgery. A lot of MO people don't live that long. I would rather have extra good years now and maybe live a little longer with some vitamins than not be here at all.

Yes, Lotus K, I think about years down the road, too. My mother lives in an assisted-living facility where an aide dispenses her vitamin supplements and calcium in proper timing and dosage so maybe you should consider that type of arrangement for your future.

Good News, I have gathered TRAMADOL is a good pain med approved for WLS patients. Please double-check and verify before considering it, however.

I was diagnosed with severe arthritis, at least eight years before I ever had RNY. I was chucking down Cosco size bottles of Advil like crazy, which couldn't have been good for me, in the long term. And being close to 400 pounds wasn't helping my arthritis either.

I am amazed how losing the weight has made such a huge difference in my pain level.

Yes there are trade-offs, but I consider NSAIDs and taking vitamins small ones in comparison to what I've gained by losing the weight.

Hopefully you can research some of the suggestions like the patches, and turn things around for yourself a little.

I suppose not being able to take NSAIDs for arthritis and the need to remember vitamins when I am 80 is a pain -- but considering that I rarely see 347 pound 80 year olds -- it seems like a pretty good trade-off to me.