I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. This causes me pain each day, and makes exercise for weight loss (I have always had to do major workouts to lose consistently) very difficult. I have begun the process to be sleeved by September. Anyone else done this procedure with an autoimmune disease? How has it improved or worsened the symptoms?

My rheumatologist tells me that the weight loss will help the medications work better (at lower doses), and my surgeon says they deal with AI issues regularly. He did say he would not put in the band, because that can exacerbate symptoms.

Thanks in advance!

Tina

San Antonio, Texas

This is a great question! I have Rheumatoid arthritis and was wondering how doing VSG was going to affect me. My Rheumatologist was against me having the surgery but I am going forward with it and am scheduled for September 11th. I also gained my weight from the medications I was put on and have not been able to lose it. I am so happy to see others that have RA and are having or have had the surgery. I am on Orencia and had my last infusion on July 31st.

That's odd. Mine was in favor of anything that would control my weight and reduce stress on my joints. I don't expect to come off the meds all together. I'd just like to be able to go from my current 9/week methotrexate down to 4/week where I used to be. I dream of giving up the Enbrel, but doubt I can.

Between the RA and the resulting inflammation, plus the meds for it, combined with my slow thyroid, I CANNOT lose the weight on my own. It doesn't matter how little I eat, the weight doesn't come off like it used to. For that alone, I am thankful for the sleeve.

I was having a moderate flare at the time of surgery' date=' and was sleeved on August 6. As of right now, I have very little swelling in my "bad" hand, and no aches related to my psoriatic arthritis. So thankful! Im hoping this lasts, but I'm preparing for a flare in the weeks to come. I'll see my rheum after my 2 week follow up with my surgeon. I'm not sure when I will start back on my meds.

I am excited to see my "official" 2 week weight at my appointment next week![/quote']

I also have this Type of arthritis, had surgery 6/18, was pain free till about a week or so now, so time to get back on meds but it will be injections instead of pills. Been off since may because my surgery was scheduled may 28 but got changed so ive been off a while.

I haven't taken anything in 3 weeks and I have not yet had any pain. I'm really surprised! Usually I can tell its shot day because I start to gently ache the previous day. Hoping this lasts for a while.

What about the rest of you?

I can tell when its shot day as well. I am never pain free, but it gets worse the last couple of days (i take humira every two weeks). My surgery date is 8/23 which also happens to be my shot day. I wont be able to take until the incisions are healed. How long does it take?

Arrgh...sent from my Ayephone matey using magic. Sleeved 8/23/13

This is a great question! I have Rheumatoid arthritis and was wondering how doing VSG was going to affect me. My Rheumatologist was against me having the surgery but I am going forward with it and am scheduled for September 11th. I also gained my weight from the medications I was put on and have not been able to lose it. I am so happy to see others that have RA and are having or have had the surgery. I am on Orencia and had my last infusion on July 31st.

My Rheumatologist was actually the one who started the surgery process for me. He suggested the same things Gamergirl's did about the less stress on the joints ect. Mine is also hoping it will help me with the fatigue. One week from today is my day and I am counting it down......

My Rheumatologist was actually the one who started the surgery process for me. He suggested the same things Gamergirl's did about the less stress on the joints ect. Mine is also hoping it will help me with the fatigue. One week from today is my day and I am counting it down......

I had made the decision on my own to have the surgery because I was not losing the weight. I would lose then gain and lose and gain again. I had gone to one of the meetings at my bariatric doctors office and my eyes were opened to this new way to help me out. I had gone a few months later to my rheumatologist and told her I was going to do this and that I had spoke with my bariatrician and he said I may not be able to take one of my medications (Celebrex) is there something else that you can give me? She was angry. No! Take Tylenol or Aleve because there is nothing I can give you. I was bummed out because although I am over weight my RA takes presidence. So I had to make the decision to do what I feel I need to do because this is my body and although she is my rheumatologist I need to do what I think is right for me. So I haven't mentioned the surgery again. I just had my last appointment with her on July third and she told me I had to do something about my weight, eat less, exercise more. I felt like saying I am doing those things but I just let it roll off my back. When I go to my appointment in October I will have had the surgery and lost some weight so we will see what she says after the fact. I swear these doctors act like I sit at my table loaded with food and pig out all day. September 11th can't get here soon enough. Good luck on your surgery and let me know how you feel after.

I can tell when its shot day as well. I am never pain free, but it gets worse the last couple of days (i take humira every two weeks). My surgery date is 8/23 which also happens to be my shot day. I wont be able to take until the incisions are healed. How long does it take?

Arrgh...sent from my Ayephone matey using magic. Sleeved 8/23/13

My surgeon said 3 weeks to heal and not to take the meds until then.

. So I haven't mentioned the surgery again. I just had my last appointment with her on July third and she told me I had to do something about my weight, eat less, exercise more. I felt like saying I am doing those things but I just let it roll off my back. When I go to my appointment in October I will have had the surgery and lost some weight so we will see what she says after the fact. I swear these doctors act like I sit at my table loaded with food and pig out all day. September 11th can't get here soon enough. Good luck on your surgery and let me know how you feel after.

What meds are you on? Because I had to go see mine and ask when I should stop taking certain meds, when I should re-start them etc. If you're not on biologics or DMARDs that might be okay, but if you're on anything regular, you will probably need to consult with her before then.

Just a thought, but it maybe different if she realizes you're not asking for permission, you are TELLING her that your surgery is happening and asking her help in navigating your RA meds while you do this thing (with your own life and body)

What meds are you on? Because I had to go see mine and ask when I should stop taking certain meds' date=' when I should re-start them etc. If you're not on biologics or DMARDs that might be okay, but if you're on anything regular, you will probably need to consult with her before then.

Just a thought, but it maybe different if she realizes you're not asking for permission, you are TELLING her that your surgery is happening and asking her help in navigating your RA meds while you do this thing (with your own life and body) [/quote']

I informed her that I was having surgery. They just told me my infusion on July 31st would be my last until I was released by my doctor. I take Orencia, sulfasalazine, plaquenil for my RA. I take losartan for high blood pressure and omeprazole for acid reflux.

Oh my RA doctor was all for my surgery too. He was so excited and said it would help so much. I'm so glad I had it done. Down 21lbs!!

@ ericlee..I had to get off celabrex also...tylenolyn belles while i was off meds....so sorry your ra doctor wAsnt more understanding...

I informed her that I was having surgery. They just told me my infusion on July 31st would be my last until I was released by my doctor. I take Orencia, sulfasalazine, plaquenil for my RA. I take losartan for high blood pressure and omeprazole for acid reflux.

my husband is/was on blood pressure meds. We're 11 days post-op and really his BP is too low for him to take them anymore. I hope that happens with you as well

I do have to say my Rheumatologist preferred the band to the other options....my surgeon preferred the rny....I made them both compromise. While I will never be able to use nsaids again, I will be able to continue on my steroids, which the surgeon said would be a definite no no after a rny......so we will see......one day at a time.

I do have to say my Rheumatologist preferred the band to the other options....my surgeon preferred the rny....I made them both compromise. While I will never be able to use nsaids again' date=' I will be able to continue on my steroids, which the surgeon said would be a definite no no after a rny......so we will see......one day at a time.[/quote']

I couldn't have the band because I have lupus along with my RA. They said it would cause even more inflammation in my body.

Oh my RA doctor was all for my surgery too. He was so excited and said it would help so much. I'm so glad I had it done. Down 21lbs!!

My surgeon said it would help me a lot. I am very hopeful.

@ ericlee..I had to get off celabrex also...tylenolyn belles while i was off meds....so sorry your ra doctor wAsnt more understanding...

So you think I won't be able to take my Celebrex anymore?