Yes, wheelchair-bound patients can be candidates for gastric bypass surgery, but it depends on multiple factors, including overall health, nutritional status, and ability to recover postoperatively. Since you have an autoimmune disease, your surgeon will likely want to assess how it affects your healing, immune response, and any potential complications. One of the biggest concerns with weight loss surgery in individuals who are wheelchair-bound is muscle loss and skin changes. Since mobility is limited, maintaining as much muscle as possible through physical therapy, resistance exercises, or electrical muscle stimulation can help reduce the severity of loose skin. Your existing issues with skin irritation and rawness are important to address before surgery. You may want to consult with a dermatologist or wound care specialist to explore preventative treatments, such as barrier creams, prescription-strength anti-chafing products, or medical-grade compression garments. After surgery, rapid weight loss can make excess skin issues worse, especially in areas prone to friction. You might want to start working with a plastic surgeon early on to explore options for skin removal or body contouring in the future if needed. Some patients with significant skin irritation qualify for insurance coverage for procedures like a panniculectomy, which removes hanging skin from the lower abdomen. Since your body will be going through major changes, working closely with a dietitian to ensure proper nutrition and hydration is crucial. Protein intake, collagen supplements, and skin-supporting vitamins like C, E, and zinc can help your skin’s elasticity, though they won’t prevent loose skin entirely.