Wegener's and Bariatric surgery

[Minneapolismark]

Just got my wedding pictures today and couldn't help but wonder who the enromous (350 pound) guy was standing next to my wife! Yeeeeuchhhh! Eight years ago I was 210 pounds and lifted/used the elliptical for two hours a day four times a week. This is no exageration. When what I presume was my wegener's became more pronounced (I didn't understand at the time), my appetite went haywire and I couldn't work out any more. :predrage:

Just as I had this huge flare-up I was about four weeks away from bariatric weight-loss surgery at the University of Minnesota. Of course they won't touch me if I'm on prednisone. :sad:

So I am wondering if anyone has any insights into whether major surgery like this will likely cause a flare up? :crying:

I am currently loving MTX because my appetite is pretty much dead and gone. :biggrin1:

[Sangye]

Any surgery-- even minor-- has the potential to cause a flare. Surgery is extremely stressful to the body. I would think any surgery that is not absolutely necessary is not good to do while on immunosuppressants. It would have to be a discussion between a Wegs specialist and the bariatric surgeon. I wouldn't let a regular rheumy decide it, that's for sure.

[Minneapolismark]

Sigh. Yeah I think so too. Still, it is pretty stressful to be such a big boy. And now that I can't exercise it makes things even more difficult.

Hmmm turn my obstacles into assets and advantages... how can I do that with my weight?

[elephant]

I agree, I would not have bariatric surgery too, alot of complications and you don't need right now. Just need to take care of yourself and get the WG in remission before going under the knife.

[Minneapolismark]

Thanks for your wise counsel, I REALLY appreciate it.

I am actually liking the fact that MTX is killing my appetite.

[Psyborg]

I had Bariatric surgery before I got Wegs because I was having issues with my liver. I believe that it probably would not be a great idea to do it until its in un-medicated remission (though I'm no doctor). Honestly as a result of the surgery and Wegs I have serious issues not losing too much weight. I dropped 30 pounds the month that I flared. With my crappy Pred induced diet I can barely maintain where I am now. I'd say we should be careful when considering the surgery. As a formerly overweight person I can tell you it's hard to say, but getting too thin can be bad as well :)