Did your joints survive obesity?

Patty, My feet used to hurt so bad I thought I would be "hobbled" for life. I also had a knee that got its share of steroid injections, And was always a loudly creaking pain! I've had complete relief! I did continue taking my Glucosomine and Controitin For the first year but then they all seemed to be fine. That has continued so far - Thank Heavens! It has allowed me to exercise quite a bit. I have only started adding a bit of running in the Last 3 months, so I'll know how impact exercise will Effect me later on down the line. Best Wishes- Dx

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I think I ought to be glad my husband's tranfer to the midwest didn't go through - sounds like weather can make it worse (both the cold and being afraid of slipping more on ice). I will get out that big bottle of Glucosomine. There's not a reason in the world I haven't been taking it at the same time I take everything else. I guess the delayed effect (I think it takes at least a month to help) kept me from taking it consistently. Though I'm not trouble free and I relieved that I am getting by so well without ANY NAISDs. I never thought that day would be possible. I also am grateful that even if I do have to get my knee replaced, that I'm not getting a knee replaced at over 300 pounds. Now that would be a bad scenario! Patty

Hi Patty, I'm sure sorry to hear you're still having some joint problems. I'm really fortunate that my nearly-50 year old knees are still functioning. I was walking (barely) with a cane three years ago. Now I run five miles a day, and do a ten mile long run on the weekend. It's one of the joys of my life, and the key to keeping my eating on track. Hopefully your situation will improve, but some damage may just be irreversible. Don't be discouraged. Try to stick with exercise that doesn't stress your joints as much. Good luck! -- Jim F, high-475, surgery-414, lowest-164, current-170, goal-160

Seems to me that my joint pain has increased since my last surgery. I have wondered whether the surgery and the concomant effects have played a role or that I have to get used to my advancing age and heredity......... Anyway, I didn't have joint pain prior to surgery, but I sure do now! I refuse to take pain meds because those are what I had the surgery to get rid of. Nice to see you are on the grad board, too! tee

Hi Patty, Sounds like your knees are at the same place as mine are and were. I had my surgery 1year ago this month and had my first knee replaced in June. It feels wonderful and did not seem to interrupt my weight loss. I had my surgery on a Tuesday and went to the park in my home town that weekend to watch the fireworks display. I was able to return to work in 4 weeks and as soon school is out this year I will have the other done. I love my new knee. Hope this helps. Some of my other aches and pains have disappeared, but the knees were to far gone. Oh, and I am 53 years old. Becky

My joints have improved with my 220 lb weight loss but they aren't perfect by any means. Like you, I still have the effects of carrying all that extra weight around for years. My hip has improved to the point that I no longer have any pain, however I still have problems from time to time with my knee. Probably need to do the surgery the orthopedic doctor recommended years ago for a torn cartlidge. Overall walking is much easier than it was before wls when I could not stand up more than 3 minutes. I can walk on the treadmill or do cross country skiing for 45 minutes now days with no problem. I sometimes work in my flower garden/beds for 2-3 hours non stop. Strangely enough it seems my shoulders (possible rotator cuff) have gone bad since wls. Guess it's more about age than weight? I suppose expecting wls to restore complete mobility was expecting too much, however given the difference it was still a great improvement for me. I am 59 years old even if I mentally feel 30 now days. Most of my thinner friends have as many or more physical problems than I do so I feel blessed to be where I am today. I'm not sure I've answered your question with all my rambling, but maybe you will get something out of the post. Not all of us can run marathons as post-ops but not all skinny people can run them either. Best of luck to you!

some things are better - some not. Yes, I can exercise, but sometimes have to modify for pain control. My hip is really bad, had to have a cortisone injection. Dr said it is worse because I have no padding and am skinny (wha??? me) so the joints have pressure on them when I sit etc, that I didn't have before. Both the ortho and my pcp said they often see MORE back and joint pain after massive weight loss. thats ok, Ill manage , much better at 130 than 260.

I move better (I was almost in a wheel chair b4 my surgery 2 years ago)and can now easily do everyday walking. but my knees and an old ankle injury hurt. I do stairs slowly. I am lucky with no hip problems. For exercise I ride a stationary bike and do pilates. Perhaps I would have made it all the way to goal and not stopped short if I could have exercised harder, but the knees just won't do it and I really do not want to replace them yet because you do not do it just once, they need to be redone about every 10 years after the first replacement. I am 57 years old and just wish I had not destroyed my body with the excess weight for 40 years. Rochelle

NOPE ! And I actually hurt MORE since the weight loss. My ortho surgeon said it's because the spine and major joints have gotten sooo used to my old "center of gravity" that now that it's different,...it's caused a whole new set of "hurts" ... just great.... Prior to RYN- I had 11 ankle/foot bone surgeries...so THAT still hurts and my time OUT of a chair is limited even now. Vioxx was the ONLY thing that helped the pain,...and now I can take NOTHING...I NEED TO, but can't.

I am 23 months post op and have lost 126 lbs, which has me below goal. I am 5'10 and weigh 160-165lbs. I read your post on joint pain, and while I dont exactly have joint pain, I do have terrible pain in my tailbone. It hurts every day just to sit. I went from having quite a bit of "junk in my trunk" to a flat bum. (i hate it) I lost all my weight within about the first year, so it was fairly fast and I think I lost waaay too much muscle mass. Even though I weigh 160, I am bony. My chest and rib cage is very bony because I dont have hardly any muscle. I was curious if any of you have a problem with pain when sitting. My tailbone has no protection so it presses on whatever I am sitting on. I guess maybe if I would get motivated and exercise, perhaps I could build up some bum muscles. Any suggestions. Thanks. Trish