Question:
Which order should I have WLS and knee surgery?
My orthopedic Dr. says I need TWO knee surgeries, about two months apart with a 20% chance of not needing the second surgery. I have to wait 6-8 weeks for WLS. I'm thinking of having WLS first, then the first knee sugery 6-8 weeks later and possibly 20-40# lighter. Has anyone faced this before? Do you have suggestions? I can walk, but not far and I limp. Is that enough or do I need to be able to walk well in the weeks after surgery? Any feedback would be great. — Laura K. (posted on March 6, 2003)
March 6, 2003
I would get WLS first, then wait till your recovered for knee surgery. What
are they doing to your knees? I had arthroscpic knee surgery 3 years before
WLS from a fall. They talked about replacing my knee since I have no good
cartlidge left. It ached bad for years. Well at about 40 pounds gone it
quit hurting and the most it tingles a bit if I run. Itsa too bad since I
kinda enjoy running something that was impossible at 300+ pounds.
— bob-haller
March 6, 2003
I would have wls first i beleive as you lose weight it will be easier for
you to recover from any other surgeries expecially knee surgery cuz you
wont have as much weight bearing on your knees....u will have to do some
walking after wls but you will do fine hon good luck to you
— Deanna Wise
March 6, 2003
Differing point of view here: Someone at my last support group meeting
that is also pre-op asked this same question to the surgeons nurse and her
advice was to have the knee taken care of first and schedule the WLS for a
few weeks later, that way by the time the WLS is done and you are recovered
you will be able to use that knee to get in the exercise that you must to.
Otherwise, you're going to be laid up recovering from knee surgery while
you should be out there exercising as much as possible. I'd do the knee
first if I were you. Good luck.
— KelBurt
March 6, 2003
I'd so the WLS and get as much weight off those knees. I think that you
could walk as much as your knees will allow after WLS get the weight down.
Have the knee surgery and not have all the extra weight on them as you
recover from that surgery. Good luck either way. I just think getting some
of the weight off will greatly benefit your knees in general. Jamie
— Jamie M.
March 6, 2003
Have the WLS first. They told me that I needed to have both knees done but
my doctors wanted to wait until after the weight loss because they said
that my recovery would be better without so much weight to carry. A very
positive thing is that minus 106# my knees haven't bothered me nearly as
much as they did. I thought at one point that I would have to have knee
replacement within the next year. Now it looks like it might be several
years down the road.
— Etta M.
March 6, 2003
Hey Laura!!! I was sorta in the same boat as you but my Orthopedist said
he wouldn't do my knee surgery until after WLS. I had my WLS on 11/15/02
and the Orthopedist still wants to hold off on the knee surgery. I'm
capable of walking on the treadmill to get in my daily exercise but stairs
still hurt (extremely bad)! I think the Orthopedist hoping that we can
delay the surgery for maybe a year or two since the weight is coming off
and taking some of the pressure off the knees. By the way, I have
Osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease and they know my joints will only
get worse, so they want to delay knee surgery as long as possible. Good
Luck and remember you must make the choice that is best for you and your
situation! Hugs!
— Dena C.
March 6, 2003
I am 10 days post op open distal RNY. I have been reading these Q&A
for months and I am finally going to post. I have one knee that is bad at
times. Well, I got around good the first 2 days I was home, then because
it was hard to get up and down out of furniture and the low toilet my knee
gave out. It has been really rough with the pain in the sutures and the
knee to do anything. Honestly, from what has just occured I would
reccomend having the knee surgery first. Then, you will be able to get up
and down easier and have one less thing to deal with in your recovery. My
normal idea would to be the other way around, but, since I am in this
dillema I would be so much better off if my knees were ok. Good Luck
Cindy Dodson
— Cindy D.
March 6, 2003
Laura, I'd definately wait till after you had WLS surgery and was down a
few pounds. I had foot surgery before my WLS surgery and my foot never
healed right due to the weight. The specialist I saw said that it would
have never healed due to my weight being on it. she put me in a special
boot to take the weight of for a few months and it did heal but I still
have alot of trouble with it now. Good Luck!
— Lynda T.
March 6, 2003
Just my experience, but I was told I needed both my hips replaced and they
would not do it until I lost weight (I was at 325 lbs then). Cortisone no
longer worked and pain was constant. This is what eventually led to my
having WLS on 2/21/02, and now I am down 107 lbs and I VERY RARELY have any
pain in my hips! But I must admit, I walk like a drunken sailor... Based
on my experience I woud suggest you consider WLS first. Nina in Maine
— [Deactivated Member]
March 7, 2003
I would suggest asking your orthopedic(sp) specialist and the WLS surgeon
discuss the pros and cons of either way. I would think that having the WLS
first would benefit you, but... none of us know your situation. Perhaps you
are a quick healer, or have a lot of stairs, or any other things that can
make a big difference.
I would talk to both surgeons about the other surgery and what they suggest
after looking at your situation.
I wouldn't be surprised if they come up with the same suggestion as each
other.
— Diane S.
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