Well I finally got my date of surgery for May 6th. My knees are killing me.

I have been doing a lot of walking to start my weight loss before surgery, have any of you guys had knee problems prior to surgery and did they improve after weight loss ? what can I expect when the weight starts to come off and what can I do for exercise that will help with my weight loss, until hopefully my knees start to feel better.

Hi @Dragonrider. Welcome to the forum and congrats on your upcoming surgery. As you can see by my forum name, it was all about walking without pain for me. I had horrible knees and every step was torturous. Can I suggest rather than walking, swim laps if you have access to a pool. Anything you do in the Water is easier on your joints than out of the water. I still exercise in the water even with the enormous weight loss.

As far as feeling better...if your knees are not shot, you will feel better the smaller you get. If the damage is done however, you may need to have surgical intervention but that's a conversation you will have with your orthopedist at some point if necessary.

I needed replacement and my doctor said without a 70 lb. weight loss, I'd have a poor outcome even with surgery. I lost the weight, had the surgery, lost more weight, and now I'm nearly back to normal. When you can't walk, you don't take it for granted when you can. And I can.

Good luck to you!

I do water aerobics. Not only has it helped my range of motion, my knees do not ache at all. As mentioned if you have access to a pool, swim, try water aerobics or even pool walk. Of course as the weight goes down there is less pressure on the knees, but the pool definitely helps.

Agree with the above - exercising in the Water is great. The elliptical and stationery bike are also great, low-impact.

As you lose weight, you'll feel better and will be able to integrate different activities.

It only took the first thirty pounds to make a comfortable enough difference for me.

I am planning on joining the local YMCA and use the pool there

Sit and Be Fit is a good program to do at home, and you just use a chair! It is on PBS here in Washington state, and can be found on DVD. I used it prior to surgery, when the weather was too bad to get out and walk. Good luck and a Blessed Easter to you!

Every extra pound you carry adds 5lbs of pressure to your knees. I listen to Doctor Radio a lot on satellite and the orthopaedic guy stated the number one way to reduce knee pain is weight loss. I have one buggered up knee and its markedly better since I've lost weight. I know I have no cartridge in it (found out from a knee surgery) but it doesn't hurt near as much as it used to. When I go to my circuit training class it gets sore but by the next day it's all good.