Osteoarthritis at 32-losing weight with diet ONLY?

[BandedMi 13]

After getting lap and and being cleared to exercise, I started exercising faithfully. After about 8 months, my knees started hurting. I thought it was just normal pain from finally exercising so much. Turns out it's osteoarthritis. My doctor told me I can not exercise any longer. He told me I now have to strictly use diet to lose weight. He said I will need knee replacements but not until I'm in my 50s. I'm 32 I sank into a depression the past few weeks. He told me I shouldn't be doing anything other than resting my knee and taking it easy. This is so depressing to me, as I have 3 kids under 12. Took them to the waterpark the other day, and I paid for it greatly the next day. Because of the lap band, he says I can't take Motrin. He told me I should get the lap band out so I can take Motrin. I am hurting in so much pain yet I can't take anything. What kind of a life is this? Can I really be successful with diet only?

I am so lost.

[Mountaingal 322]

Have you seen an orthopedist? Perhaps cortisone or Syn Visc shots would give you some relief. Not sure if an NSAID cream like Voltaren puts enough into your system to affect your stomach or stays locally. There are also several types of non narcotic pain relief Patches that might help you. My husband used those along with Voltaren to hold off knee replacement surgery for some years. Good luck it is hard to be so young and face this especially after having made the choice to have WLS to improve you health and life.

[Dragon Lady 59]

See another doctor! I too have osteoarthritis and will have both my knees totally replaced next year when I am 43. I do tai chi, Kung fu, and middle eastern dance. Yes, it hurts.

You MUST see a sports orthopedist! Get a second and third opinion. Total rest is actually going to make it worse.

I also get orthovisc shots.

[BandedMi 13]

Yes, he is an orthopedist. He said I am fat and need to lose weight basically. He injected me today with hyaldin? It hurt awful. But I think it's helping a bit, but he still stressed that I can not be doing activities.

[Dragon Lady 59]

I think you should see another orthopedist, one who specializes in athletes, you know, people who won't stop activity. It can't hurt!

[The Candidate 3,215]

They started me on acupuncture treatments for that and my plantar fasciitis. It helped a lot!

[pink dahlia 2,513]

Bandedmi, sloooowww doooown . Take a deep breath............. or 2 or 3...... You immediately fell into "depression" because of 1 Dr.s opinion. One ! You CAN'T be the only person in the world with bad knees and a Lapband. Get a 2 and 3rd opinion if necessary. Talk to your WLS Dr. for advice, he/ she might have some ideas. I started a swim class just before I was banded because it's so easy on the joints, my Dr. approved, and 4 yrs later Im still going 2-3x a week, helped immensely with the weight loss. There's other exercises that you can do that are "knee friendly ". Weights ( done right) , modified yoga or pilates, a rowing machine, horseback riding, etc . Think positive !!! Good luck !!

[BandedMi 13]

Yes! Because it's not like you can misdiagnose this. I've had an X-ray and MRI. So, while I could get a more positive and happy doctor, the diagnosis is the same. it is a chronic ordeal, it is depressing news to swallow!

[Debbie Jean 406]

See another orthopedist... someone who specializes in joints. I say this as someone with 2 knee replacements. I had them done at 60 but nursed them along many years before that.

There are options that can help someone at your stage... injections, medications and creams. You should definitely ask about physical therapy. There are many exercises you can and should do that will spare the joint but build up the adjoining muscles. This will help relieve some of the pain and help with your weight loss. Once you are confident in the type of exercise routine you need, you can continue on your own.

Hang in there! I'm sending good thoughts your way ☺️

[kwcrnp 63]

Yes X-ray and MRI show osteoarthritis BUT his orders to do no activity is absolutely inaccurate!

You need to do OA friendly exercises like walking, swimming, yoga etc. by not moving you will be worse. You need a second opinion. You need PT to strengthen your leg muscles. I have OA as well....injections helped a lot, I do the elliptical machine. My knees kill me when I do steps or treadmill. It's a chronic condition but you can treat it even w a LB and should remain active. Get a second opinion.

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

I have had arthritis in my knees for decades. I got cortisone shots in both knees every four months. Once I lost 100 pounds after lap band last year, I no longer need the shots in my left knee, just my right one. I also went from taking nabumetone daily to Tylenol, to now, nothing. No NSAIDs since pre surgery.

I'm 54 and never discussed knee surgery.

My rheumatologist always stressed that I need to exercise, but at 300 pounds I just couldn't and didn't. Now I do and I feel the difference in my thigh muscles. That helps relieve joint stress.

I walked a 5k this last weekend. My knee hurts and I'm actually scheduled for my shot tomorrow. Good timing.

Good luck and get another opinion.

[VSGmary 418]

Yoga isnt so easy to do when you have OA in the knees. I have the same and i was told last year very similar info.. No surgery for me until im in my 60's, i was life wtf? I was on crutches for almost 12 months, walking was extremely difficult, surgeons advice was to lose weight.. I have since lost almost 130lbs .. I can walk without support.. But the key message is you need to keep active. I walk every day and i take fish oil tablets. I have some days where there is pain but its not unbearable like it was when i was heavier!

Seek a second opinion, wish you all the best

[Bandista 7,466]

Like you I had early-onset osteoarthritis -- now twenty years later (I am in my fifties) I am still coping with pain. Joint replacement has never been discussed. I have not responded well to the many oral medications I've tried, but I know a lot of people who have. I use Voltaren religiously and Lidocaine Patches as necessary (would need a suit made of them, lol). What works well for me is exercise. I have seen so many medical professionals over the years and there is not one who has ever said don't exercise. On the contrary, it's move it or lose it. I am so stiff and of course it hurts but once I get going -- really going -- there is so much benefit. We have a hot tub. I don't think I could do without it at this point. There is at this point in time so much we don't know about inflammation and joint disease. You are young and there will be a lot of scientific break-through in the coming years. You made the decision to choose yourself and your healthy future when you got WLS. Don't let one doctor's negativity get you down. I'm not a huge fan of western medicine. I dip in to get what I need but I also do a lot of research in my own and use natural remedies. Osteoarthritis can be painful but life is short and we are in charge of our own bodies. Finding a doctor who can really help is key to living a full life, enjoying your children, being able to move freely. Don't get discouraged but do be your own advocate. Best wishes to you!

[Bandista 7,466]

Sorry, second post but I can't help myself. I think it is helpful having a second person in the room when seeing a specialist. Sometimes we don't hear everything the way it may have been intended. I still can't get over a doctor who is prohibiting exercise -- perhaps he (big leap there but I'm guessing) meant that whatever you were doing is too much pressure on the knees. There are so many kinds of exercises and a PT and/or sports medicine physician will get you there. A pain clinic is a good route for many people to cut through beaurocracy within a hospital system. And this guy is recommending you lose weight but that you have your band out so you can take NSAIDs? All of us here had WLS because we needed assistance -- dieting was not successful or obviously we would not have undergone surgery. Keep at your weight loss plan, you are getting there. Keep all your appointments with your bariatric doctor; that is key to success with the band. Once I hit the green zone I started to drop and feel more energy and momentum. You can do this! Choose yourself first. Every one else will benefit but this is your time. I wish I had had the opportunity to grab on to my health twenty years ago but I'm so grateful I can do it now.

[kathousefl 62]

After getting lap and and being cleared to exercise, I started exercising faithfully. After about 8 months, my knees started hurting. I thought it was just normal pain from finally exercising so much. Turns out it's osteoarthritis. My doctor told me I can not exercise any longer. He told me I now have to strictly use diet to lose weight. He said I will need knee replacements but not until I'm in my 50s. I'm 32 I sank into a depression the past few weeks. He told me I shouldn't be doing anything other than resting my knee and taking it easy. This is so depressing to me, as I have 3 kids under 12. Took them to the waterpark the other day, and I paid for it greatly the next day. Because of the lap band, he says I can't take Motrin. He told me I should get the lap band out so I can take Motrin. I am hurting in so much pain yet I can't take anything. What kind of a life is this? Can I really be successful with diet only?

I am so lost.

Hi there!

I have osteo arthritis, and have issues exercising.I also suggest a second opinion from another ortho, preferably one who specializes in sports medicine. I was told light exercise is good for all forms of arthritis. I have back, knee, neck and foot issues. That being said, I did lose 150 pounds with diet alone. I have just started exercising again, but I am at a good point weight-wise. I know a lot of people on these boards say you cannot rely on diet alone,