Rheumotoid Arthritis Medication

Question
I am on Remicade Infusion treatments every 8 weeks and Methotraxiate for RA.  Will this have any effect or problems on me having gastric bypass surgery?  Also, will I be able to continue with the treatments following surgery?

Answer
Cindy,
To my knowledge there is not any formal answer to your question in the medical literature.  In my personal experience, I have done gastric bypass on 5 or 7 patients with severe RA, who have been on remicade and/or methotrexate.  There have not appeared to be any adverse effects on the gastric bypass in terms of healing, ulcers, or similar problems.  Thus in my experience these meds are not a contra-indication for weight loss surgery.

I hope this is helpful.

Dr JP

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