That's a big step, and it's completely understandable to wonder how it might affect your RA. The good news is that for people with RA who need significant weight loss, bariatric surgery has been shown to bring meaningful improvements.
Here's why losing that weight can be a game-changer for RA:
- Less joint stress — extra Show Full Answer
That's a big step, and it's completely understandable to wonder how it might affect your RA. The good news is that for people with RA who need significant weight loss, bariatric surgery has been shown to bring meaningful improvements.
Here's why losing that weight can be a game-changer for RA:
- Less joint stress — extra weight puts added pressure on already inflamed joints
- Reduced inflammation — excess fat actually produces cytokines, the same chemicals your immune system releases that cause RA inflammation
- Better medication effectiveness — some biologics, particularly TNF inhibitors like Humira, Enbrel, and Remicade, work better at a lower body weight
- Improved ability to exercise — which further helps manage RA symptoms One myRAteam member shared that after losing 25 lbs through diet and exercise, their hip and foot symptoms improved noticeably — so imagine the potential impact of 140+ lbs!
A few things worth discussing with your doctor beforehand:
- RA medications — some may need to be paused before surgery, which can trigger flares
- Blood clot risk — this is a known post-surgery concern, but your doctor can prescribe preventive medication
- Recovery plan — having an RA-friendly rehab and movement plan ready post-surgery is really helpful
Definitely loop in your rheumatologist alongside your surgical team so everyone's on the same page. Wishing you a smooth surgery and a great recovery! 💪
May 16
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