Re: Gastric Bypass and the RA Patient

[Guest guest]

Thanks for being so open and honest about this, Kami. I read one time

that I was not a candidate for the lap-band because of having an

auto-immune disorder. I wouldn't have a band anyway because the

position on the stomach where it goes is exactly where my father's

esophageal cancer was located. I imagine the auto-immune issues would

apply to gastric bypass as well. With the handful of meds I have to

take twice a day, I can't see how a bypass would handle the volume.

Also, as you stated, prednisone is an unfortunate " need " at times with

RA. I am definitely way overweight and I know my lower back would

benefit from less weight to carry around. I would rather look into a

breast and tummy reduction first before I would mess with my digestive

system. That alone would solve a lot of problems for me.

Just my 2-cents worth.....Doreen

>

> Do I regret having the gastric bypass? No.

>

> Did it make me skinny? No.

>

> Did it help with OTHER health issues? Yes.

>

> Would I recommend it to others? Yes and no... Why no? Because

> dealing with a chronic health problem as an RA patient SUCKS.

>

> ------------

>

> It has been 4 years since my RNY and 15 months as an RA patient. I

> honestly feel that treating RA and ANY chronic illness becomes more

> difficult when you are also a gastric bypass patient.

>

> Prednisone was the direct cause of me gaining 40 lb TWICE which led

> to me looking into gastric bypass surgery. Needing to take

> prednisone on a reguilar basis SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME.... I

> hear " prednisone " and visualize... 40 lb.

>

> I have noticed a VAST improvement with injections (Humira) vs oral

> medications. There is VERY LITTLE INFO out there as far as how most

> common medications (oral) used to treat RA are absorbed by your

> body. Vitamin deficiencies are common and well documented but not

> individual medications.

>

> I honestly feel that if you are considering having this surgery

> that you have it for the right reasons: improvement of your overall

> health. If you are having it for ANY OTHER REASON, it is the wrong

> one. There are not enough studies out there about what happens 20

> years down the road.

>

> Just my opinion.... No need to agree or disagree...

>

> ©x© Kami ©x©