If an ortho tells you you're too young, get a second opinion.

My original ortho, who had already performed one of my meniscus surgeries, told me that my right knee looked bad and that I'd eventually need to have the entire knee replaced.

A couple of months later, I went to an ortho in another city (and state) who performs partial knee replacements. He examined me, took additional xrays,and determined that I was a candidate for partial knee (Makoplasty).

I had the surgery nearly two weeks ago and am recovering remarkably well. I am 50 years old and had my RNY surgery in August and haven't yet been able to exercise. It was the nurse practioner at the RNY surgeon's office who encouraged me to go ahead and have it done. Her feeling was that without the surgery and thus, without exercise, I wouldn't get as much success and benefit from my WLS. I'm glad I took her advice!

Thanks so much for the information.  I fully plan on working very hard in PT.  I am going to do in-house rehab for two weeks and then outpatient 3X per week.  Both of my knees are bone on bone and I realized I started to gain back too much weight because of the vicious cycle I was in.  It was time after 15 years of pain to do something.  I really appreciate you taking the time to fill me in.

I wish you much luck in your RNY.  I had mine in 06.  I had open.  I weighed over 500 lbs. and lost 200 in the first 3 months.  I then lost about 60 more and that is the weight that is creeping back.  I went through 2 plastic surgeries to remove excess skin so this is the only thing that is stopping me from continuing my journey.

Good luck again.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Happy New Year to you and thanks so much.


Jeanne

I had my right knee replaced on October 1st 2010.  I weighed 240 at the time.  I won't kid you, its painful!!  The most important thing you can do for yourself is to do the exercises they give you.  When I first went into physical theraphy I could barely move.  The things they made me do hurt,  alot...BUT each time I went home and feeling like I was gonna die,,,the next day I felt a little better, and could do a little more.  I found that the more pain I went through in PT, the BETTER I felt the day after!  It's amazing!  PT really really works, and you feel stronger every day.  Once the pain of the initial surgery goes away, you will notice that your JOINT doesn't hurt anymore!!!  I think it was like week eight that I really started feeling like "wow, this is great," 

I cannot express enough how important it is to do the physical therapy.  I am over a year out, and yes, there is still some stiffness (i have rheumatoid arthritis along with sever osteoarthritis) but I do not have pain in that knee joint.  I am scheduled for my RNY surgery on Feb. 14th of this year, so I am hoping the weight loss will help when I have to have my other knee done.  Just remember, yes its painful,,big time,, but tolerable,, don't be afraid to ask for enough pain meds.  I would always take a pain pill before rehab,  they even suggested I do that.  It does get better,, and you will LOVE your new knee.  I hope this helps!  Good Luck!!

Well...I tried the synvisc injection last month and didn't make a difference at all. I had a follow up with the ortho about two weeks ago and he said that I just need to get it replaced and stop messing around with it.  He said he does an anterior approach and the surgery is only about 90 minutes and I would be up, around and released from his care within 2 months. Now I just need to be able to schedule it around work!  Thanks again for the encouragement.

 I don't have any suggestions re: how to get a hot tub covered by insurance, but I sure hope you can get one somehow.  The condition you have with the boils sounds pretty awful and I imagine that it would be really nice to soak in your own private hot tub.  
Keep researching and don't give up!  Good luck.