Knee or hip replacement just before or after the surgery?

Well, I'm scheduled for VGS on 11/12/18....but now that might change again.

I've had arthritis in my knees for a few years. A couple weeks ago I twisted my knee and was just told that I need to be on crutches for 6 weeks. The Ortho sees bad arthritis and a bone contusion stress fracture and disk erosion. He said if staying off it for 6 weeks does not intiate some healing....a total knee replacement is needed. Most of my older siblings have had knee replacement in their late 50s-and 60s.

A couple concerns I have is can someone be on crutches when having VSG? Also would having VSG cause slow/poor healing (due to low nutrition) of a knee replacement patient if done too close to a knee replacement surgery? I'd love to lose weight before a knee surgery or as soon as possible after surgery....with jeopardizing healing.

Anyone one here have any experience with this....or have heard of such a situation?

Thanks All!

Rex, I'm sorry!

And no, I haven't been in this situation. But I certainly think you're considering and asking the right questions.

Talk to your bariatric surgeon and see what she/he thinks about the sequencing of these surgeries.

I do know, however, that recovering from ANY knee surgery will be a lot easier and better if you weigh 50-100 pounds less than you do now.

But it's a delicate balance. Ask the experts what they think

wish I had some helpful words. I'd go with what your doc says. I know losing weight would help, but yeah, before or after is a tough one.

best of luck whichever way you go.

Definitely make both doctors aware and get some sound medical advice. I am so sorry. Fingers crossed you don't need the knee replacement now so you can continue on with your scheduled sleeve. Good luck.

Sounds like something to discuss with your doctor. You may have an easier, safer surgery and recover more quickly if you lose the weight first. But I'm sure it would work the other way too. Good luck with your decision.

Something else to consider...

I don't remember if you mentioned where you were having surgery or how you were paying, but if you need two surgeries, it might be financially wise to do them both in the same year to meet max yearly out of pocket. Not a lot of time left in 2018. It might be better to schedule one surgery in january and the other as soon after as possible in 2019.

Not sure if that would apply to you, but definitely something to think about.

Glenn, I thought of this too. Actually, my insurance year ends at the end of April 2019. I'm still hoping to have VGS next month if my Ortho gives me the thumbs up in 2 weeks. It would be great if the Ortho thinks knee surgery, if needed, can wait till ~Feb or March. We shall see.
Cheers!

HI there - I am 54 and have been fighting my knee pain for 8 years. It got really bad over the last 8 months, while prepping for sleeve. Because of my ortho surgeon's schedule this fall, I opted to have the knee replaced before the sleeve. So, I had the knee placed Sept 6. ANd surgeon strongly suggested I not do the sleeve until 3 months post op because I am at a greater risk of infecting the knee with any procedures - even root canal or teeth cleaning - until everything is fully healed. So, I scheduled my sleeve for Nov 29 - 12 weeks post op.

I will add - I was only on walker/cane for about 10 days. If however, during that time, I had to make quick, frequent trips to the bathroom - I would have been absolutely miserable. Sitting down on the toilet is not an easy thing to do with the new knee. Also, was told that nutrition will be extra important for healing - I am 4 weeks post Knee op and can say by the end of the day I am exhausted. The healing process, combined with daily physical therapy is really tiring, so good nutrition is important during this time. I had to take blood thinners during the first month, which I don't think your gastric surgeon would want you to be on for the stomach surgery. Just some other things to think about. Good luck!

Thanks so much Jan! I will be speaking with my VSG surgeon later this week and Ortho next week. I hope I am in a position to put off knee surgery for 3-4 months and move forward with VSG.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rexcom

Thanks so much Jan! I will be speaking with my VSG surgeon later this week and Ortho next week. I hope I am in a position to put off knee surgery for 3-4 months and move forward with VSG.

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Before I realized I couldnt wait any longer on the knee, I asked the gastric surgeon and he believed it would be best for the knee recovery to do the sleeve first, get some weight off the knee and recovery might be easier. I wish that plan would have worked out for me!

It was the knee replacement prospect that convinced me to get WLS. I am nearly crippled by stage 4 osteoarthritis in one knee and I need knee replacement surgery, but because the rehab after the surgery is so rigorous, I just don't think I can successfully complete it at my current weight. And if I remain my current weight, my "good" knee and a hip will need replacement as well; they've been deteriorating pretty rapidly. I've yo-yo dieted for 50 years, so I knew I needed to so something dramatically different to lose weight if I'm to stand a chance of keeping it off. My plan is to have the WLS first, then once I've lost 50lbs, getting the knee replaced.

The last time I had knee surgery I got one of those toilet seat booster chairs -- made a huge difference! I'm guessing that the sleeve will seem like a piece of cake compared to the knee replacement.

better ask your doc, cause each body is individual)) wish you stay safe and healthy

Thank you for sharing!