I have exhausted all options it seems and now face total knee replacement in a couple of weeks. Both need to be done but the right one is bent and hitting up against the left one causing me to walk with a limp and very much pain. I have to use my cane a lot and if I am down I am down or up I am up. What I am asking is there anyone not over 50 who has medicare who has to or have had total knee replacement and did well with it? I am almost 3 yrs post-op wls and wondered if the knee surgery took away all most or some of the debilitating pain and was it worth having the knee surgery? I guess I am wishing that no pain be there after the surgery except the surgery pain of course, but will I be able to walk ok and without a lot of pain as before or will my leg be shorter? I am scared a bit also. Please any input will help to ease things. I am 46 soon to be 47 in march and will I have to have it done again in 10 yrs as I have seen and heard from some. My great aunt whom is 88 just had it done and her knee shifted and pushed back so they had to redo it 1 month after. She says she can't tell if it is the surgery pain or the initial pain since she is so new out.

My sister has arthritis in her hips and knees. Unlike me she just has simple arthritis and I have RA. She got the synisc injection and lets just say we should have brought the duct tape. She said it hurt like no other and the burning was the worse of it all. She did get relief within a few hours though and she has not had to have another in almost 3 months. I wish they would work for me I would get it and bare whatever pain they cause for I am sure this RA pain I endure is the worse I have ever had. I would not wish this type pain on my worse enemy. Irish aka Ms Pisces

Hi Anne.   I am 4 weeks post op and went to see the doctor for a follow up yesterday.  I have arthritis in my feet and my left knee.  I'd been taking Diclofenac (Nsaid) and Darvocet  before the surgery.  I was taken off the meds after the surgery and have been in bad pain.  When I spoke to the doctor yesterday he said I could continue the Darvocet and only to take the Diclofenac if needed.  I needed it today for grocery shopping and it really took the edge off the pain.  I'll probably use it only if I'm going somewhere and know I'll need it.   Each surgeon has their own way of doing things so check with your doctor. Kathi

I have arthritis in my hips, middle and lower back. I have been taking celebrex (ok'd by my surgeon) and ultram for pain so I can sleep at night. I don't know if that is a good medication for you to try or not. Sandy

I also have DJD in my lower back and knees, as well as my neck. I totally agree with the I'm to darn young to feel this old.  I soo want the WLS to help relieve some of the pain and discomfort.  I understand that there are not gaurantees but I'm hopeful. I am waiting for my appeal & greivance meeting to see if I am approved or not and that will be tomorrow. So hopefully when I call late tomorrow afternoon they will beable to tell me good news.   I guess I'm considered a light weight I have just 100 lbs to lose, to some that doesn't seem like alot, but to my body it seems like a thousand. I think everyone carrys there weight differently, and with this one person that is 350 or 400 pounds could feel ok and yet someone that is 50 or 100 could feel like death warmed over.  I'm trying really hard now to be good and get the exercise I need and watch what I am eating but I'm not feeling so good.  That is all I want is to feel good for more then a day or two at a time.  Well thanks for the info. Oh I am also on the tramadol and so far It might be helping with the pain but I am more and more tired by the day.  To the point where I'm almost afraid to drive cause I can barely keep my eyes open.