I am still on Steroids, presently 10 mg of predinsone/day, and my hip problem was a rather abrupt onset and when they did the CT scan it already had a fracture, so my surgery was scheduled right away,,,, if yours was as painful as mine was, i do not see how you can wait so long for surgery! worst pain i ever had, but sugery was a breeze,,,,, recovery no problem, still some mild pain but controlled buy ibuprofen usually, my ortho doc said, " you make this look rediculously easy" lol so good luck,,,, and as far as staying on the steroids, my rheumatologist has not said anything to the contrary,! and btw,,,,, they both highly recommend the lap banding!