Hi everyone. I'm new here and have a question. I'm 42 yo with two older children. In January '12 I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease called polymyositis - a disease that causes weakness of the muscles closest to the trunk of the body. I was put on prednisone and azathioprine (an immuno-suppressant) Currently tapering off prednisone on 10mg and on 125mg of azathioprine daily. Question is would WLS be an option at this point? Has anyone else with an auto-immune disease had the surgery?

Hi there! I have Rheumatoid Arthritis (an auto-immune disorder too) and I am having the VSG on July 23rd. Sadly, I can't comment on effects of the surgery yet on the disease process, but I CAN tell you that my gut tells me I will feel MUCH better. I know the obvious things like the extra weight being taken off of my joints will obviously improve my pain levels, but I also believe that many auto-immune disorders are related to "leaky gut syndrome" and I think that eating drastically smaller amounts will help tremendously or maybe even cure LGS in me. I wasn't meant to cram the amount of food into my body that I do! I think it has caused a terrible amount of distress on my gastrointestinal system and I think has given me leaky gut. No science here, just my "gut feelings" (sorry, dumb pun!). The hard part of the pre-surgery time is that I have had to stop my chemo-like drug (Orencia) to let my immune system build back up and protect me after surgery. It's tough sometimes to deal with the pain from being off of meds. Prednisone is a no-no of course due to it's immune altering factors as well as it's slowing of healing. The post-op period may prove sometimes challenging because I have heard that we can no longer take Ibuprofen after VSG. I take those things like water, so I have weaned off of those too. I am living on the hope that I am right and the RA will be MUCH improved or maybe even cured by my weight loss. We shall see! Surgery 7/23!

My Rheumatologist was on board with me having the VSG. All I had to do was get off my immunosupressive drug 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after. I have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, combo of Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. My biggest problem now is that I can't take prescription anti inflamatory drugs now which really helped me. I know once I loose a significant amount of weight it should really be beneficial.

Good Luck

I have MS and was told this surgery often helps people with it feel much better.