Have you experienced impaired mobility AFTER surgery and weight loss?

[EveryDayFriend 1]

Greetings!

Has this happened to you? You're doing GREAT post-op and then KNEE PAIN invades your life?

I had RNY and am down 70 lbs. I have another 50 to go. I was obese for 12 years and super-obese the past 2 years. I'm very happy with my progress except for on thing. And it's a biggie. Four months after surgery --

--my mobility actually WORSENED when one knee suddenly became painful.

Pain. Gait change as my bod changed-things-up to accommodate the pain. Limping. Rely on anaerobic exercise as anything too active kills me. Can't take the dog for long walks anymore. Can't do my rowing machine, but swimming works pretty good (flutter kick from hip is AOK).

Yes. Went to doc last week. X-rays. Doc says mild arthritis but I have "slippage" of the knee cap (?) and referred me to an orthopedic specialist in about a week. Will update, but --

-- maddening! You're supposed to have IMPROVED mobility...righ?

It was my X-ray tech who was most reassuring. (My primary care doc chalked-it-up to aging.) My x-ray tech said she sees it all the time...people who are losing their weight have knee dysfunction occur. "It's like the body is readjusting everything" as the weight/girth reduces.

Have you experienced this, too? This has been depressing for me. Grateful for the weight loss, but not HOLY COW is this leg messed-up.

Let me share more. I then discovered something called --

Neurokinetic Therapy (developed by Weinstock) or "NKT." It's given relief, but it's been a steady progression toward wellness.

Look up "NKT" -- Neurokinetic Therapy. It makes sense! It's a form of applied kinesiology but there's so much more to it. The principles make sense: your body has acquired a dysfunctional muscle pattern to accommodate an injury or change in physiology. You don't decide to do this consciously; your brain makes these accommodations for you. But when you lose weight, it's as if your brain is saying, "wait a minute! For years I've been doing a certain muscle pattern to help you move better. Now you've changed the game!" You could say NKT "teaches" your brain to re-learn the old muscle patterns and puts you back on track for greater mechanical efficiency. This is NOT chiropractic work. For me, it's been a "domino effect" as a series of muscles have been discovered and "turned-on" or "fired" again. it's always in tandem with another movement or muscle/ligament. It's been pretty amazing...

If this is becoming "too heavy" for you... just search "neurokinetic therapy" and there could be a practitioner in your area. Try it. Once more: is NOT chiropractic work. It's very different. It's given me some hope...

Have you tried "NKT" yet after your weight loss? I'd like to know. Any comments?

I'm going forward with the orthopedic doc. Hopefully I'll get an MRI. (Fully insured.) And I'll update.

Thanks for reading this. If you are someone who has had worsened mobility after surgery, I'd love to hear from you. I feel alone (and will likely go back into talk therapy for this, too...)

[shedo82773 1,236]

Hello EveryDayFriend, I had my RNY on July 2, 2013. I lost my weight in 6 months. My STATS: HW 249 (this time I got up to 285#'s) SW 232 LW 117 CW 125#'s. Yes , I did have a 8# gain but I have maintained my weight for 2 and `1/2 years. I am 60 yo and 5.4. So the same thing happened to me. I started having very severe pain in my right knee. Finally, I went to see my PCP. He told me it was arthritis and gave me a Steroid shot. It helped some but...not for long. When I ask him why I didn't hurt before my WL he told me that if I hadn't lost the weight I would be in a wheelchair. But I just figured it was because I walked a lot. Which I have built up to 3 to 4 times a week and walk 4 to 5 miles. It kept getting worse, swelling redness so I finally went to an Ortho Dr. He did X-rays ( by this time my left knee started hurting) I might mention I also have FIBROMYLGIA, Osteo and the beginning of RHEUMATOID Arthritis. He gave me Ultrasound guided Gel shot in my rt knee. It seemed to help but I needed a series of 3 shots. Then I had it in my left. 6 shots in my rt knee and 3 in my left. It helped for awhile but not as long as I needed it too. So now here am trying to keep going but some days if the weather is cold or rainy I just hurt so bad I have to make myself get out there. Which, I hate because I feel like the exercise is what keeps me successful in my weight loss!! I call my walks my attitude adjustments. I might hate doing it but...by the time I'm done I feel so great in my mind and my body. Doesn't it suck that all the time I was heavy I didn't have any problems with my knee's. Another thing I have lost many many pounds thru my life, as I'm sure you have too. I lost 135#'s at one time only to gain it back plus!!! I NEVER had a skin problem like I do now!! I was 45yo when I lost it and my skin was ok. Now I have lots of skin problems. I am not one to say I wish I would have had my WLS sooner because I don't think I wasn't ready back then to make all of the adjustment in my life that you know as well as I , we have to make. Plus look how far the medical profession has perfected the WLS. And look at all of the support we have now!! WSe are so lucky to have the internet and support groups that we can go to. Sorry for writing a book. It seems like I have a ton to say. LOL Long winded person!!

[Ruby1 12]

Omg your story is the same as mine. In fact I am going to a specialist in the morning. I had severe pain. All I was doing was walking.

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[shedo82773 1,236]

WOW!!! I hope everything gets better for you!! It is really hard to fathom that when I was Fat I had my aches and pains but...this was far more than just a little inconvenience. But like I said the Gel shots did help for a time, and I really don't think my knee's hurt as bad even now. I didn't go back for more because they weren't lasting as long as when I first had it in my right knee. Good Luck tomorrow.

[EveryDayFriend 1]

Thank you for taking time!!!

It's encouraging to hear I am not alone regarding KNEE PAIN hitting AFTER the surgery. I really appreciate hearing from you.

I must say this has been a "Debbie Downer" experience for me. The discouragement has been a "trigger" for me -- and old habit are surfacing. Thank goodness I am physically incapable of indulging as I did before. But I must say...having my ability to WALK severely curtailed...has been a real depressing deal. I kinda wish my surgeon and medical support network (a very good program in Southern California) would have given me some sort of "headzzup" regarding this possibility. But I suppose they don't want to even HINT about the potential for it happening, as there will be those who glom onto the possibility and create a worse situation.

I just feel like I could've had more of a warning of the potential for this happening. But ... it's also somewhat discouraging to have my PCP and endocrinologist say it's likely aging.

I have not had any shots yet. I really, REALLY believe this is temporary. But DANG! It HURTS!!

Thanks again! Anyone else out there with this STRANGE "problem" happening after a successful weight loss surgery?

Let's have a great November.

[EveryDayFriend 1]

UPDATE:

I saw my nutritionist today. I was up 3 pounds. We are putting me on a smoothie-heavy diet. 2x a day @ 1/2 C fruit, 1 C greens, 1 serving Protein powder, Water and "bonuses" (like an extract, cinnamon, cocoa, etc.). Also: 2 Snacks @ 150 calories or less. 1x meal at 350 or less. I'm not a foodie, don't like cooking and tend to "mono-meal." Lucky: it's only me; i.e., I have no one else for whom to cook. My heart goes out to all of you who must cook for others during this time. It must be difficult?

I discussed with my dietician my dilemma of impaired mobility. She was genuinely sympathetic, but she says her experience is the OTHER way around: her patients experience the joy of heightened mobility -- not impaired mobility. I explained to her the Neurokinetic Therapy assisting in my recovery so I'm walking now without a limp. But while she was interested, there was little more she could do than just...listen.

I'll report back on my ortho doc experience.

Thanks for reading this today. I found online an illustration that displays what's the likely culprit muscle contributing to my left knee dysfunction. The sartorius.

[EveryDayFriend 1]

UPDATE:

I saw my nutritionist today. I was up 3 pounds. We are putting me on a smoothie-heavy diet. 2x a day @ 1/2 C fruit, 1 C greens, 1 serving Protein powder, Water and "bonuses" (like an extract, cinnamon, cocoa, etc.). Also: 2 Snacks @ 150 calories or less. 1x meal at 350 or less. I'm not a foodie, don't like cooking and tend to "mono-meal." Lucky: it's only me; i.e., I have no one else for whom to cook. My heart goes out to all of you who must cook for others during this time. It must be difficult?

I discussed with my dietician my dilemma of impaired mobility. She was genuinely sympathetic, but she says her experience is the OTHER way around: her patients experience the joy of heightened mobility -- not impaired mobility. I explained to her the Neurokinetic Therapy assisting in my recovery so I'm walking now without a limp. But while she was interested, there was little more she could do than just...listen.

I'll report back on my ortho doc experience.

Thanks for reading this today. I found a diagram online that displays culprit muscles that are contributing to this dysfunction in my left knee.

[Meggiesmom 10]

Wow. So glad i found this post. I am 2 weeks postop. I have had terrible gas pains and gerd and might have hurt my right knee as well from a prolonged knee-chest position when i was trying to feel better... now i cant bend my right knee. The top part of knee cap hurts like hell and i cant walk too much unless i keep.it straigjt.. so mad because now that im finally feeling better another problem pops up... pls let us know what your ortho days. I think i might have thr same issue. Thank yoi for sharing

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[EveryDayFriend 1]

UPDATE: 2/12/17

I am healed. After X-rays, MRI -- it was a...TORN MENISCUS. I am bewildered by the "timing." To have gone thru gastric bypass and then have my mobility so grossly impaired by an injury that befalls high school soccer or football athletes? And I'm 57? My surgeon could only guess, but that it was "years of wear." I had no trauma nor impact on that knee. To endure this lack of ability to workout likely made my gastric bypass less of the very good success I've had. I'm now looking forward to working out and getting the last 30-40 pounds off this year. I am down 80.

I still wonder if the reduction of weight on my frame somehow had the meniscus "show up" for me. I mean...I'm waddling around with an extra 80 pounds and my knee is fine. I lose it? And it hurt like...you-know-what. I am still interested in any one's experiences. Meanwhile, I continue NKT as it is really a terrific blessing as my physique changes and new muscle patterns are re-established, if not, rediscovered for walking up stairs...bending over to tie my shoes...a pain-free gait/walk.

Thanks for your attention in the past and I look forward to anyone's observations or inputs.

BTW: a torn meniscus can be an extremely smooth procedure. (Mine was.) I had the operation 12/4/16. Five days later the degree of pain really took a corner and I was amazed! My surgeon was very pleased with my limited swelling. And I was nearly totally healed at 6 weeks -- only very VERY SLIGHT swelling below the knee cap. 3 small endoscopic incisions.

Oh! And I KNOW that my work with NKT sessions and developing ways to "strengthen" the muscle areas...made for a VERY TERRIFIC recovery. I credit NKT, my wonderful trainer here in Oceanside CA and the support of family and friends.

I am blessed.

Edited February 13, 2017 by EveryDayFriend