I wouldn't think it would be allowed. Physicians typically won't do elective surgeries on the immunosuppressed because of the increased risk of infection. My doctors won't even let me infuse (Remicade) if I have an open sore anywhere on my body. However, if your doctor feels like weight loss surgery is imperative for your health, they may be able to work something out--possibly take you off of the injections for a couple of months, then resume them after you have recovered.

No way would they allow elective surgery while you're on a TNF blocker. That's extremely dangerous, given that it suppresses the immune response. It could leave you wide open to infections, slower healing, etc.

Take it from someone who had a 'slight' hiking accident while taking Remicade - recovery time from wounds is far tougher while on a TNF blocker. I slid on a hiking path and took the skin off one of my shins. I would have normally healed within a week or two, with minimal scarring. On Remicade, I wound up with a far more severe situation, which required specialized wound care center doctors and three months of healing. And the scar ain't pretty (of course, I was back on that same hiking trail less than two weeks later).

Talk to your rheumatologist about this question.

If you mean by stomach stapling or lap band i was advised by my RA that i can't do that with my treatment. Yours may differ though. I sure wish i could. I need it.