Hi,

I am currently waiting for approval (hopefully only 3 months to go)!

Besides a weight problem, I also have rhumetoid arthritis-I was wondering does anyone else who has had lap band surgery have a disease that can be aggrivated by your weight?

How did you cope with the disease and its problems after surgery? did loosing weight help ease your other symptoms?

I currently take a drug called enbrel to control my RA and will have to stop taking it a few weeks pre & post op. I am afraid not only will I be dealing with my new lap band, new eating AND have to deal with a severe flare up of the RA.

This has been up since November, 80 people have looked at it and no one can relate or has anything to say?

I'll chime in on my first view. I was diagnosed a few months back with Ankylosing spondylitis. AS is a form of RA that attacks the spine, causing joint pain, in the normal places: Knees/Hips/Ankles/Wrists.

I knew I had joint pain - but just thought, I'm WAY overweight & not active. It was after I had the Lapband & started exercising that I really needed this checked out. After a Lot of tests / MRI's / sonograms etc...My Rheumatologist advise on a pain med that's works with the lapband, that's injections each month of non NSAIDS,,,We're testing out a few w/coordination w/my Lapband Dr.

Bottom line - best course of action is ACTION. Getting weight off the bones, and being active are the 2 top priorities in addressing issues w/RA (as described to me).

My mom is a skinny minnie (has been her whole life)...she has RA and it was diagnosed well advanced that she now has her ankles & hips "Pinn'd" in place. She exercises now, but for the most part - damage is done.

Not sure I'm telling ya much more that most Dr's will - Weight Loss & Exercise delay this progressive disease. Good luck!!

Thank you for sharing and responding! I have been attending a RA group for the last few years, and I am by far the most overweight, & no one there has been heavy & lost to say if how much/if there is relief that comes with weight loss. Of course, all of my Dr.s are supportive of the lap band surgery. I am just wondering how much relief (if any) one might feel after loosing some weight.

I have been heavy so long (really packed it on after onset of RA b/c I could no longer move much) I can't remember what its like to move without pain and fat getting in the way. I am not asking for 100% of my old self back. Just would like 50%.

I am scheduled for surgery April 30th !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 29 days away!

Thank you for sharing and responding! I have been attending a RA group for the last few years, and I am by far the most overweight, & no one there has been heavy & lost to say if how much/if there is relief that comes with weight loss. Of course, all of my Dr.s are supportive of the lap band surgery. I am just wondering how much relief (if any) one might feel after loosing some weight.

I have been heavy so long (really packed it on after onset of RA b/c I could no longer move much) I can't remember what its like to move without pain and fat getting in the way. I am not asking for 100% of my old self back. Just would like 50%.

I am scheduled for surgery April 30th !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 29 days away!

I know your post is old, Scarlett, which is exactly why I'm writing to you! I have serious RA (enbrel, methotrexate, prednisone, etc.) and have appts. later this month to decide on a doctor for my lap band. I'd love to know how your journey has gone since you were banded. I am determined to do this. Thanks in advance.

Hi Cherilynn,

I am happy to answer your question! I had my surgery a year and half ago and have lost 50 lbs. Slow going, but it took a while for me to find my sweet spot with the band! at first I was loosing 2-3 lbs a month (or nothing at all) the last 2 months I lost 7 lbs each month! So I think things are beginning to move along now.

I move alot when I can (walking with the kids, doing physical therapy) anything I can do when my joints will let me. I have even been thinking another 20 lbs and I will be ready to get back on my bicycle! I was a size 24 on my surgery date and now my size 20's are getting loose on me. Oh yeah, an extra bonus, my feet shrunk 1/2 size, dont swell anymore. my blood pressure is normal and my cholosteral is good.

the weight loss has helped much with the pain in my joints. I get around better than I have in 7 years!

Of course I would love to have lost faster, but in reality I would not change a thing.

Make sure you check with your r/a doctor to see how long he wants you off your meds before and after your surgery ~ that was really one of the hard things. But you do what you gotta do right?

Hope this helps & best of luck on your journey!:thumbup: