Question:
I am pre-op WLS with serious knee problems. Need some advice

My surgery is in 25 days. But my knee problems are getting worse. It is bone on bone now. I have avoided getting knees replaced with surgery coming up as I'm hoping the weight loss will remove that stress on the joints. Has anyone had knee problems and did it resolve without replacement following WLS? Thanks!    — AJC750 (posted on March 7, 2002)

March 6, 2002
I had knee surgery 3 weeks after my wls due to 2 very bad tears in my cartilege. I also have bad arthritis in my knees from the years of carrying around the extra weight and while not quite bone on bone am close to it. While it took me longer to bounce back from the knee surgery then the wls, after losing 85 pounds I definitely can feel a difference. I do take celebrex daily and I also take glucosimine. While I may still have to have knee replacement down the road, I have postponed it indefinitely by the weight loss. Hope this helps a little.
   — cheryl R.

March 6, 2002
I had knee surgery for torn cartlidge about 4 years ago. It helped some but my knee ached every day since. Surgeon said I had no good cartlidge remaining. Within a month of WLS and about 40 pounds lost the pain went away. My profile talks of this GRAT WLS side affect! Now it might not fix you knee as good as mine, but it cant hurt. Besides they dont want to do knee replacements on MOs because we wear out the new knees. They told me to loose the weight before returning for a knee replacement. Of course I was unable to do that.
   — bob-haller

March 6, 2002
Hi, Andrea. Your question is exactly like mine was, before wls in October. I had my rny on 10/17/2001. Unfortunately, it was too little too late. I have suffered with rheumatoid arthritis for some time, causing extensive joint damage in my knees, especially my left one. When I had lost 45 lbs, I went to see an orthopoedic specialist -- one look at my xrays and he said "total knee replacement". I almost dropped my teeth, because I was anticipating arthroscopic surgery. I had a total knee replacement of my left knee the day after Christmas, or about 6 weeks after rny. The good news is that the continuing weight loss (down 82 lbs now) has probably saved my right knee. I excersize regularly (swim 3 times weekly, gym/weight training 3 times weekly), and that's been an important part of recovery. So while wls can help correct or aleviate an existing problem with your knees, if they are as chronically bad as mine were, there's no guarantee that you won't have to have a knee replacement down the line. But it's not the end of the world, either. Read my profile, if you want. See you lighter,
   — linmazz

March 7, 2002
I had weight loss surgery becaues of my knees.. I could not walk very far and needed to use a wheel chair. I had the surgery one year ago and lost 100 pounds. I still need to lose about 40 more. My knees are much better. I can walk about twice as far as before but do not expect them to be pain free. They will feel better because there will not be as much weight on them but they will not be pain free. I tell you this so you will not be too dissappointed. I guess I thought the pain would be gone and I would be "normal" again, but that did not happen.. but there is a wonderful thing that will happen. The doctors that treat your pain in your knees will treat it much more seriously if you are not overweight. They respect me now and they have compassion for what I am feeling and that is worth it all. Good luck!!
   — TERI S.

March 7, 2002
I opted for wls primarily because of my knee problems. My doc didn't advise knee replacement...but that was definitely in my future. I was in constant pain and was need a cane to get around. Even turning over in bed was difficult. Losing 140lbs. has helped immearsurably. My knees aren't 100%...they never will be. But, I'm not in onstant pain and my mobility has returned. No more canes....no more limping around. I get a "twinge" if I move in a certain way...or when it's very old outside. I have to be careful about what exersizes I do when I work out. I'd say my knees have improved by 80%. Also...I started noticing an imrovement very early....I'd say once I'd lost 40 or 50 pounds, I could feel the difference.
   — [Anonymous]

March 7, 2002
Hi Andrea. I've had arthritis in both knees since childhood. I've also had a couple of car accidents that haven't been any help to my knees. My doctor and I have been talking about joint replacement for years. His advice to me was this......lose as much weight as you can because that will help your knees more than you know. I'm down 65 pounds since my surgery on 12/28 and I know this is true -- my knees haven't felt this good in years. He also told me to delay the replacement surgery for as long as I possibly can. The average joint replacement surgery is only "good" for 15 - 20 years. I'm only 42 and still intend to be having a good time 15 - 20 years from now. I do NOT want to have the same joint replaced twice if I can avoid it. I take Celebrex every day and it helps too. Best of luck, whatever you decide.
   — Pam S.

March 7, 2002
I had lap rny Oct. 8,2002 and I had knee surgery Jan. 8,2002. It was both acl and miniscus. Getting the weight off will sure help after you have surgery to maintain good knees. And therapy will be alot easier.
   — alicialeew