My knees hurt

My knees were bothering me, so I went to my Dr. (a new PCP for me) to get my knee checked out. It's been bothering me for a while and it's really getting bad. So I have the xrays done and go to see him last night for the results. Seems I have a Patellofemoral Tracking Abnormalities (my knee cap is screwed up and not functioning properly), Enthesopathy (a disease of the tendons and ligaments) and Arthritis. Now remember,I also just had a heart attack 6 weeks ago. So I mention to the Dr. that I want to have bariatric surgery. He makes a face. He doesn't think I'm "big enough". I tell him that I am. Then I remind him that it's for my health...look at everything that is going wrong. My heart, my knees, etc. It's not for the sake of being skinny...it's to better my quality of life. Guess what...he agreed. He referred me to a surgeon that he would like me to talk to, but I don't think he is covered by my insurance. I can at least get the ball rolling...my insurance requires at least 6 months of supervised dieting. I'll have to wait anyway because of the heart attack and I won't and can't do anything without my cardiologists blessing. This is just a great first step. Just wanted to share with you all. Rachelle

Hi Rachelle I'm so glad that your doctor is giving you a referal. Surgery has made such a big difference in my health. I really hope that you will have tremendous success! Marcia

Thanks Marcia. I know that having the surgery will be the best thing for my quality of life. I'm just happy that my Dr. sees it as I do. So glad to hear that you are doing well. Rachelle

Rachelle, I have the SAME problem, and have had it since 14.... thus my reason to have the surgery, I've been in pain for 20 years, now I'm getting to the point of considering a serious open knee surgery (fulkerson procedure) but Dr. Fulkerson wouldn't do it unless I lost weight. I figured it's time to fix this for good. So RNY first.... (probably sometime in September, I am now waiting for approval from insurance) then if they still are as painful as they have been we'll consider the knee surgery. I've been reading a lot of folks profiles on here and the loss of weight seems to help significantly when it comes to arthritis of the joints. I guess we'll both see! I hope this is the last of the health problems you uncover this year, my goodness! Good luck to you! Renee

Thanks Renee. I feel like I've been falling apart lately. Hopefully, I'll get started with the Dr. supervised diet again this month and get the ball rolling. I feel at this point, WLS will be extremely beneficial to me. I'm hoping this is the last of my health problems also. It has to end somewhere! Wow...knee surgery has to be painful. I sure hope you don't have to go through that. Rachelle