I completely agree. Many many people end up with revision with the lap-band and at your age, (I am almost 60 myself) you don't want to be thinking of more surgery down the road. I say do it once, do it right. I have degenerative arthritis and have had 15 orthopedic surgeries. Right now I am typing one handed as this is the 3rd wrist joint that went and had to be fused. Also, fibromyalgia. So I take Celebrex, Voltarin gel (a nsaid cream), tramadol, and a few other meds with no problems.
Due to some esophogeal problems I had to have a BPD without DS. It was the one and only choice offered to me due to my health issues. I had absolutely no problems with the surgery or after. Because he also had to do a myotomy I was on fluids for a month. I'm sure your saying OMG I would never do that. But I have no regrets I am coming up to my second anniversary. I have lost 126 pounds and and wearing a size 10petite. The Dr. doesn't want me to loose anymore. Complete success. I can eat most foods, and sugar isn't a problem for me like most with the rny. I'm not recommending the BPD, as it is the most mal absorbative option and I have a neurologist that monitors my labs to be sure I don't experience any nerve problems, which almost happened. There is a lot of work to be put in, but the rewards are beyond belief. Good luck! 

I had the sleeve back in December 2011. I'm 56, was on Metformin and Byetta for diabetes, and on meds for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Plus, had problems with very low Vitamin D and arthritis.
Been off all the meds since the day of surgery. Been able to exercise, which helps with the arthritis. Still have lots of aches and pains and hope that will improve as the weight comes off. If not, then I'll look into other options but for now I'm enjoying being med free.

I chose the sleeve to avoid the malabsorption problems too. Three months out and I couldn't be happier. Feel better than I have in years.

 Hi,

I am too late as you have already had your surgery but I will share my GB experience.  I am over one year out and I have severe RA.  I am glad that you caught your RA early, wish I had.  However, I have lost 140 pounds from my highest weight and am now able to exercise and this has vastly improved my condition.  Losing weight will not cure RA but it will go a long way in helping you feel your best.  Hope you are doing well.

I feel for you and everyone else suffering with RA. I was diagnosed at 28. I had a healthy 2 yr old at the time and I was devasted. I was able to endure the pain and changing treatments for years. I have three more children. Pregnancy and hormones always made the pain disappear. I enjoyed many months during the past 20 years in remission. I am on Methotrexate and Prednisone and it works most of the time. I'm 8 wks post-op (RNY 1-11-12) and dropped almost 50 lbs. I can only hope that the symptoms will diminish with continued weight loss. I never wanted to become a burden to my children...but more importantly I don't want to be a BIG, FAT, IMPOSSIBLE to LIFT burden to my family as I get older. I try to accept the bad days with this simple thought..."so many people in this world have so much more pain and suffering to deal with than myself". God Bless you!

I am so sorry to hear that you went through that.  Just so you know for the future, you have to add one more cause to the list - pepto bismol - it is also an NSAID - most people dont know this and surgeons dont tell us this.  My NUT did tell me and I also found out when I was having kidney stone surgery- my Uroloigst gave me the most comprehensive lilst of NSAIDS I have ever seen, I wish I had saved it.

I had ulcers years ago preop from NSAIDS on 3 separate occasions - many people think that it is just post op but it isnt - I took prescription Ibuprofen for months and got an Ulcer, then I took prescription Soma Compound - Ulcer = then I took Indocin with a stomach protectant Cytotect that was supposed to stop ulcers - NOT  - ULCER - and a bleeding ulcers to boot.  So, when they try to give me anything, I run.  I even got an ulcer from Mobic and that was supposed to be so safe.  when my cardiologist wanted me to take 81 mg aspirin to prevent heart attack adn stroke - I refused - I take plavix instead.  Years ago, I took preop, I took the aspirin for 1 day and felt the burning already.

People think these drugs are saft, they aren't.  So many surgeons try to give post ops IV toradol and even the IV form will give us ulcers so be careful  -- even IV's, gels and creams - all of them. To be safe, put on your medical records that you are allergic to NSAIDS, that is the only way you wont get them inthe future - that is what I did