Question:
Does WLS help improve the severe knee pain that I am having?

I am considering WLS (either Lap Band or the Sleeve). Over the last 5 years, I have been suffering from crippling knee pain...severe arthritis. I have had 5 knee scopes and 3 different surgeons stated that I need two knee replacements but that I am way to young...all 3 have told me that losing weight will help.    — BreBre07 (posted on November 11, 2009)

November 11, 2009
I had RNY about 3 months ago, have lost 68 lbs and the chronic left knee pain is gone!!!! I'm a nurse and spend my whole work day on my feet(they feel better also).So.. it's worked for me. Good luck.
   — Nurseducky

November 11, 2009
i am 3 months out and have lost 66lbs and my knees don't hurt as bad as they did.best wishes to you.
   — carolyn1970

November 11, 2009
I hade RNY on 2 June 2009 at 241# and my knee, hip and back pains due to my weight was horrible. I was taking 4-6 800 mg Motrin a day !!!! Today I am 173.8 and walk a mile every morning ....minus those pains. Trust me......you will feel 100% better after your surgery...... Good luck !!!!
   — karensaporito

November 11, 2009
I had RNY surgery in Mar 2009 and have lost about 100 pounds, all my knee and hip joint pains have been 100% elimintated. I hope you experience the same results.
   — rkurquhart

November 11, 2009
I am 8 weeks post op and have lost 55 pounds total. 30 pounds since surgery. I suffered from knee pain, hip pain, and my feet would kill me by the end of my work day. I feel great! I also walk alot at work and work 12hour shifts and the difference since surgery is amazing. I don't need motrin or aleve everyday anymore. You will be amazed at how great your joints feel.
   — Meeky

November 11, 2009
I too have had 5 scopes on my right knee. The last Dr. visit it was recommended I have a replacement, but I needed to loose weight. Since surgery I have lost 95 lbs. and the knee pain has diminished considerably. I am hoping it will continue, but I know that the replacement will still be needed.
   — mike954

November 11, 2009
Hi Brenda I had the RNY on Aug 23, 2008. In Feb. 2009 I had my right knee replacement surgery. The weight loss will absolutely make a difference in your knee pain. However whatever damage has already been done, will probably still give you some problems. Try this though. Try lifting someone's 20 pound barbell or something. Try walking around with that for a minute. This will give you an idea of what the weight is doing to your joints. You will be amazed when you multiply that 20 pounds times 5, assuming you are 100 pounds over weight. It will make an awsome difference to your joints if you get even 50 pounds off. Good luck on your journey and to answer your question. Yes your joints will improve after surgery!
   — katiecakes

November 11, 2009
Yes, every pound you loose is 4 lbs of preasure off your knees. So if you have the surgery and loose 100 lbs that is 400lbs of preasure your knees dont have to take.
   — bostonkid33

November 12, 2009
Brenda, this subject is near and dear to my heart. I was you, 19 months ago. My knees were scoped, I had a total of 12 injections that didn't work, and was told I would need knee replacement. I am down to bone on bone in the left and nearly that in the right knee. I was so much pain I could no longer manage to get to the grocery store or do anything pleasurable that incuded me walking or being on my feet. I was in constant, severe pain and miserable. I had the sleeve on March 31, 2008. I have lost 134 lbs, half my starting body weight, and have NO MORE PAIN, even though my knees are still in the same condition. It is a benefit that I never really considered happening. I couldn't imagine the pain ever being GONE without knee surgery. Today my husband and I go dancing every weekend, I have started water skiing again, I went hiking in the mountains this summer. I am constanly moving. It is amazing!!! The sleeve chnaged my life dramatically. I encourage you to take the plunge. I hope your life will be changed as much as mine has been! Feel free to PM me if you have any question. Good luck to you!!!
   — corky1057

November 12, 2009
Hi Brenda....I am 8 months post-op RNY. I started out weighing 307 pounds (I actually have been quite a bit heavier, but this is my prior-to-surgery weight). My left knee is pretty much bone-on-bone from injuries and severe arthritis, and before surgery I had to go up the stairs like a child - right leg first, then left leg to the same stair - one stair at a time. Since surgery, I go to the gym regularly (at least 3 times a week), and I started out on the stationary bike because it was "knee-friendly". I built up my endurance on the bike, and also did the weight machines focusing on your knees (ONLY the leg curl and the leg press - NOT the leg extension), building up the weight gradually. I think the machines have helped tremendously, because now I can walk without knee pain, and I've built up to 30 minutes on the treadmill at 3 mph, doing the weight-loss program (where the incline varies from zero to 7.5%). I've also built up from 5 to 20 minutes on the elliptical (yes, the knee gave me problems at first, but I gently pushed through it, and now I can do the elliptical just fine, pain-wise). There are days when I can walk up and down stairs like a regular person, especially if I've taken my Tylenol Extra-Strength Rapid-Release dose in the morning - but then there are days when my knee pretty much says "NOPE - you're taking the stairs one-at-a-time today!" But for the most part, I think I've put off any thought of knee replacement for many years. I hope you get the same relief, but I will say this....I've had to work for it, like I said, at the gym, with the weight machines and other exercises to strengthen the knee and the leg muscles around it.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

November 12, 2009
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS, after losing 20 lbs the pain was 79% gone.
   — FSUMom

November 12, 2009
DITTO!
   — Connie F.

November 12, 2009
I agree with the people posting before me. Although I am pre-WLS, I have had issue with one knee. My orthopedic surgeon told me that for every one pound you lose it is 4-8 pounds of pressure off of the knee joint. When you do the math it is a phenomenal amount of pressure reduced. For example, if you lose 20 pounds that makes a minimum of 80 pounds of pressure.
   — Libby R.

November 13, 2009
I was getting physical therapy for my knee pain last year. They determined that it was steming from compressed lower back pinching nerves and arthritis to the knee and my physical therapist stated that losing weight would help with the pain. I had VSG surgery (which I highly recommend) 7 months ago and have lost 88 lbs. I no longer have knee pain. I still do my lower back stretches and that really helps too. I also no longer need my sleep apnea machine. Weight loss makes us healthier all over. I really hope you have great success too.
   — Lisa von Wallmenich

Click Here to Return