Am I Too Heavy for Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery (elevated BMI)? 

I was given my surgery dates for two knee replacements in November of 2023. I am an obese 70 year old woman. On January 1st of 2024, I started on a weight loss program and as of July 2024, have lost 30 lbs with diet only as I could not exercise. It is astounding to me how my knee pain subsided at about the 20 lb weight loss stage! I am having my first knee done this month (August 2024) and the second one done in December 2024. I fully intend to keep up with the weight loss battle. It most certainly isn’t for the ‘weak of heart’ but if you want to loose weight, you can.

I am a 56-yr old Chemical Engineer now about 8-wks shy of my 2nd TKR surgery (thankfully not the same knee). I am 5+ years removed from my first TKR on my left knee and what a life-changing experience that was going from a misery index of about a 10, all the way down to a 1 with the new knee. This time around, I once again showed up at my initial consultation exceeding their max allowable BMI of 40. I was going good there for a few years after my first TKR but the osteoarthritis kicked in on my right knee and the pain pretty much knocked me off the exercise regimen about a year and a half ago. Unfortunately, after I could no longer exercise because of the pain in my right knee I kind of 'threw in the towel' on my diet and ballooned in weight. When I showed up at my 2nd consultation (with the same surgeon, btw) and requested a new TKR on my other (right) knee, my Doc didn't much flinch and, after seeing my x-ray, agreed the knee needs replaced. His one ask at the consultation was that I need to drop 30-lb in order to qualify for the surgery. Apparently, they've gotten serious about the BMI hard-cap of 40 and I swore to myself I'd shed the weight one way or another, as I've lived the osteoarthritis hell years ago and I'm not about to relive that nightmare again. One of my smarter moves at this latest consultation was my asking for a cortisone shot, which pretty much erased the pain (temporarily - 2 or 3 months) and allowed me to get back into the exercise swing to go along with a subsequent drastic change in my dietary habits. At the 10-wk pre-op mark, I'm now just under a BMI of 40 but plan to pad my numbers and lose as much as I can heading into my formal weigh-in in late October. That hasn't gotten easier in the past few weeks as I'm now back to exercising with the recurring pain in the right knee now that the shot has worn off and they've told me they don't like giving shots inside of a couple months of surgery as it reportedly increases the risk of infection. Nevertheless, I'll suck it up and deal with it for now as I'm 'in it to win it' at this point. I know each patient is different, but I'll say this - if my upcoming TKR surgery goes anywhere nearly as well as my first one, I'm confident I'll be set for life and won't have any reason or excuse at all to not keep with the exercise lifestyle and maintain a healthy weight following this surgery.

I just had bilateral knee replacement. My surgeon wanted me to lose 15 pounds prior to surgery. I lost 25 pounds and am glad I did. It definitely is helping in my recovery. As I start moving more, I hope to lose another 25 pounds. Our knees were not built to carry extra weight.

I had a very, very successful total hip replacement with a BMI of 37. On my first visit to the surgeon, I asked if I was too heavy to get the surgery and he didn't think twice about it and said no, I was not too heavy. There wasn't even a question that I could have the operation. I was in such horrible pain, the surgery gave me a whole new life. Don't be scared off of seeking out a surgeon to do joint replacement; the pain is too injurious to your whole life.

A very good discussion of a difficult and complicated issue. I was close to 500 lbs, with my knees in terrible pain. When I was down to 375lbs my surgeon told me to lose 75 more pounds. I told him I would be back. I did lose the weight and in 2017 had two separate surgeries. I worked hard during rehab and when done got my self a trainer and committed to a fitness program. I love how I feel and at 68 have energy and stamina. The morale of the story is that BMI is not the only criterion that she be addressed.

Thank you for a truly not fatphobic and frank discussion about BMI and joint replacement. I was just denied by 2 doctors purely by BMI and was devastated. I'm embarking on losing weight now and finding other ways to exercise since my AVN is severe and my femoral head has collapsed. This is a video I can send to my family and friends that doesn't rely on fatphobic nonsense. As a science teacher with a molecular/cellular biology and dietetics degree, I get frustrated with the use of BMI, but also recognize the risks that a larger body can have in the surgical setting. Thank you!

I’ve been obese most of my life. The first surgeon I saw said go home and lose 30 pounds and I can do the surgery. I tried and tried but was having very little success with the weight loss. I was in tears everyday from the pain. I went to another doctor and he said he would do it. Everyday I wake up and say a prayer of thanks that this surgeon was able to relieve my pain. In April I get one knee done, which I know will not be as easy as the hip. So this old lady at 70 years old weighing close to 300lbs is glad for the surgeons out their willing to do surgery on us.

My ortho doc is willing to work with bariatric patients for knee replacement surgery because he feels everyone deserves to get back to being mobile. He was very honest, as you are, about issues, but he encouraged me to have the surgery. I had both knees replaced in 2008 & 2009 and while I am still overweight, I am mobile and fairly healthy at 68 yrs old today. Keep giving great advice and stay empathetic to your patients! 💖

Wow, you handled that rather difficult question most diplomatically! Well done, and spot on!

My bmi is 39 and it’s taken me 3 different orthopedic surgeons to finally help me. My life is so dormant because of the pain. Two years of knee injections and pt has not been effective. I’m finally getting surgery in May 2022; I’m nervous but I’m in too much pain to not go forward. I have lost a little weight and continue to do so but yeah, I understand the risks. Totally understandable. Love your informational videos, you have helped me to make this decision. 🥰 I’m 63..btw..scary stuff.

I will definitely say my BTKR recovery was extremely hard (harder than most per Google TRR groups) and I had severe pain for much longer than my doctor allowed me to have pain meds. I lost over 100 pounds before surgery, but I'm still over 100 pounds overweight. I'd definitely recommend loosing as much as you can before surgery. I feel like I was prepared for everything else, but not this. I'm 4 mo PO.

Oh my. I’ve literally doubled from a normal size 12 to obese size 24 in less than 2 yrs since excruciating injury. So depressing. You two are so compassionate and trustworthy. Thank you.

higher risk, but how aften does something actually happen?

You have educated me throughout my research on Knee OA. Now, with honesty and kindness, you have given me hope!

Any surgery has risks I have osteoarthritis in both hips and can't walk or exercise so what you just sit here and get worst especially when you have to use a walker full time and can't cook or exercise typical western doctor advice losing weight is like anything else you have to want too and know how brilliant advice.

Thanks for this doctors (and for your other hip videos they have been very helpful). Hopefully it will help someone else to not wait as long as I've had to before they get relief. At least get a second opinion before you live in pain for months or years! My hips are so bad they are in the process of autofusing and I have lost almost 2 inches because the joints have both collapsed. My left femur head is now necrotic. The X-rays are worthy of a case study! I have barely been able to walk for 8 months and have been in constant pain that whole time. My (now prior) orthopedic surgeon told me to lose 100 pounds. I did, which is pretty tough when you can't really exercise; my BMI dropped from ~50 to 38.8 and then he said he wouldn't do the surgery anyway, and did not even offer a referral. Fortunately, I made many calls and I got an appointment at the Mayo Clinic. The surgeon there made sure I don't smoke or drink, discussed the potential risks of added weight, then said "rules are made to be broken sometimes and this is one of those times." I am scheduled to have the left hip replaced in 4 weeks, the right one 4-6 weeks after that.

I've been rejected by two surgeons for a THR. I'm 5'9, BMI is 40. They both told me to lose 40lbs, then they will do the surgery. It's really hard for me. My mobility is very limited due to the excruciating pain. I'm often sitting or lying around because any movement hurts so much. I've quit smoking over 6 mnths ago, I'm stressed and depressed. I'm also perimenopausal and my cravings for sweets and carbs are through the roof!! I feel defeated 😞 Mind u, I had back surgery in August of 2022 at the same weight. I didn't have any complications and I recovered just fine...

Had my hip replaced on January 27th by a fantastic and talented surgeon. My hip was so bad that the ball was flat and my joint was eroding and migrating upward through the pelvis. There was no way I could have lost weight in that condition. A month out, I am rocking this titanium cobalt alloy and have lost 17 lbs. I’m thankful my surgeon believed in me as much as I believed in him. Case by case, gentlemen. You change lives. 🙏🏻 ETA: Surgery was an hour, no complications. I went home the same day: 10 hours from registration to release. Went in measuring 5’2”, and now that I can stand up straight again, I’m back to 5’6” (which changes my BMI, as well).

Thank you..... Need knee replacement and I told my doctor I wasn't doing it until I lost some weight. My short term goal was 50 lb and I'm now at 70 lb. So I'm delaying surgery cuz I'm not in much pain and once I hit my 100 lb goal I will get knee replaced. I know my doctor's very proud of me.

I'm 5'10 , was 200lbs before knee surgery, Primary care Dr said I should lose weight. Now, 3 weeks after TKR I'm 180 lbs. online bmi caculator said 25.8 BMI. I hope to lose more once I'm back on my bicycle. My knee Drs are amazed at my recovery. My friend is looking at knee replacement, His doctor said he wouldn't do it until he loses weight.

You guys give the best advice...I've been doing mostly plant based since I saw you in December Dr. Weening, and hopefully I've lost at least a little by my appointment in March. Doing my best.

Great Video! I am 6’2”. I had a knee replacement in preparation for retirement to repair a prior injury. After the surgery I went from 220+ lbs to 173 lbs and I like to maintain below 180 lbs. I used Keto and moderate exercise. I could not be happier! Thank you for this video! Stay safe and healthy!

You doctors are amazing. Before my double hip replacement I watched all your videos and boy, was I prepared! I was told I was "not very overweight" at 5'2' and 170 lbs. at 63 years old. All went great.

Love your honest and diplomatic discussion.

Your best video yet, concise, supportive, realistic expectations. Well done. Here in Maryland, my brother's BMI was 37, and our Orthopedic Surgeon was on the fence pre op! BMI is taken seriously. Rightly so.

Great subject! This comes up often on the support groups I read. I changed what I eat, and lost 25+ lbs over 2 yrs, even with painful, crunchy knees limiting my activity. TKR in 5 days! I’m confident that if I keep eating lean protein, veggies and fruit, I will lose much more once I am able to join my husband on walks and hikes!

Very profesional and accessible material, thank you. I regret very much that my grandmother was refused hip replacement due to her weight altough it was not any extreme. She almost does not walk . At this moment she hardly walks to the toilet, pushing a cart. Your video was very interesting to me, and I hope it will help some people do an effort try. Thanks again.

I’ve come across your channel by accident and so glad I did. I had spinal infections 15 years ago and spent 3 months in hospital, another 8 hour spinal op due to bugs undoing my metal and 6 years on oral antibiotics. I was supposed to have 2 knee replacements 4 years ago but cancelled due to the ‘Fellow’ at the hospital at my pre op telling me if my knee replacements got infected it would have to be amputated…..that’s the only word I could 👂 hear after him talking to me and decided I couldn’t go through with it. I didn’t realise 4 years on that they would become so bad that I’d be in terrible pain especially at night and the pain would refer into my ankle, also my mobility has become so bad I cannot walk outside at all nor drive so am virtually housebound now. I’ve been extremely depressed this year due to my ‘different’ life and have also put on weight. I cannot live my life like this so am back on the list for knee replacement, I have just had a pre op and it was impressed on me and I’ve had to sign to say I understand that I have a 1 in 5 chance of my new knee or back becoming infected, amputation , having a heart attack or stroke! I’ve put myself on a very strict diet and in two weeks between the 2 pre ops (had to have an cardio gram and see anaesthetist) lost 3kgs and 2 BMI points now 42 and will continue to diet plus suggested i have op in February so I don’t have to have another pre op but hopefully would of lost another stone but was told no as my x rays say it needs to be done urgently now. You guys have put my mind at rest quite a bit so thank you as I am so worried about the whole procedure. I have 1 question both legs are terrible and can’t walk on them, how long do you normally do the second knee op after the first if the patients knee is so bad the first won’t support them after surgery?

You guys have great content. Very helpful, I really like how you present and how you really consider what questions people would have. Thanks.

MY BMI was over 50. My knee joint pain got to the point that I litterally could only walk about a 100 feet with two canes. At this time i lost more muscle and gained weight. I have had each knee done 6 months apart and am doing well.

I'm in my 30's and overweight. I had 7 doctors who told me to just get cortisone shots till I'm old enough for a replacement when I'm 60. I think they were dismissive because of my age and weight. I had a BMI of 35 for several years. But as my knee pain got worse, i started to gain weight. BMI went up to 39 in under a year because I couldn't be as active. Finally found a doctor who really looked things over and took measurements. My knees were misaligned causing arthritis to progress faster. I've now had partial replacement and realignment. Still in the first few weeks of surgery on the second knee, but the first feels amazing. I am looking at this as my kickstart to getting healthier. Last year I couldn't even mow my flat yard that takes 40 minutes. My goal for about a year from now is to travel to Australia and hike the highest mountain there. Why? Because I'll be able to. I feel like I've been given my lufe back.

My hubby had L TKR 3/31/2011. He was 5'11" and weighed 375 pounds at the time of surgery. He got a Stryker knee. He was 0 weight bearing for 6 weeks to allow surgical cement to set. Because a old pin had to be resectioned to prepare the tibia for the artificial joint. He returned to work in 12 weeks as a tool repair tech. With lots of standing and lifting involved. On 11/08/2013 he fell and severally Injured his healthy R knee. Requiring two seperate surgeries within 8 months in 2014. With a third scope scheduled for 3/24/2020. Possible R TKR to follow in the near future. It will soon be 9 years since L TKR. He has lost 50 pounds and counting since the L TKR. While the injury to his R knee has left him unable to work. He has had zero problems with his current L TKR. We credit the success of his L knee to a highly experienced surgeon and a really good artificial joint manufactured by Styker.

Thanks!

I had an American friend online go in for a full hip replacement. She was in her fifties with a BMI that was high. She contacted me in fear and great pain and could get no help from her health care team. She was alone with no help and couldnt ģet out of bed. Four months later they found her passed in bed.

It’s painful for me to exercise (I’m 52) former Firefighter/EMT, former ER Tech so a lot of time on my feet…however my BMI is 40 so this was helpful to me so I can set a goal with low impact exercise…because as you know eventually Synovia will maybe stop working and then I will either need a partial or full depending what they find…thank you!

so true, it's challenging to lose weight for me due to arthritis in BOTH knees, Dr is talking about joint replacement, it's literally bone on bone...BUT I live up on 3rd floor....I walk up and down the stairs, is it easy? NO def not BUT in doing so and moving more, changing eating habits, I've lost over 80# and with the help of cortisone shots to the knees...the pain is now gone...dr said once it wears off joint replacement...that was 3 YEARS ago..still going...lost another 15 pounds in 3 months...slow yes but at least I didn't gain the weight...it also has helped my asthma, I'm able to go up and down the stairs without dang near passing out..literally...I love your manners, and wish you were my dr's..... please stay safe Doc's

Thank you so much for addressing this issue. It has been common practice in the USA to flatly refuse knee replacement surgery to anyone over 50 BMI. So it is very wonderful to have you suggest a plan that will work for those over 50 BMI. I also appreciate the Canadian input as it always seems to be more compassionate than ours here in the USA. Thank you so much.

These seem like 2 great doctors and I'm sure they do great work. But my plan is to lose enough weight that I will never need to see them. God bless!!

I lost 78 pounds this year in order to have this procedure. Had my left TKR on Tuesday. I cannot imagine doing the rehab and just getting around with that much more weight.

Hi and thank you. I worked with doctors in surgery and learned that if a obesity patient will lose 25 lbs before surgery they will have a much better outcome. But nutrition must be correct, no fasting or otc pills. I had my hip replaced at 57 BMI but I loss the required weight. Everyone felt better and my surgery went fine with excellent results. That was in 2003 and I still have the original repair. Doctors have you ever heard about the weight loss effect? 🙄🤔

Ok…here is my proposed hip equipment. Cup = Depuy Dual Mobility. Stem = Depuy Trilock/Actis. My BMI is 24.3. I’m 77 years old. My surgeon has performed approximately 4,000 hip replacements.

Thank you for posting this. I'm one of those 'lucky' (/s) folks who had a single joint acute SCFE incident at age 11. I'm middle aged and my BMI isn't ideal but the more literature I read that's come out since 2017 onward - and this video - has given me the courage to seek THA. I tolerate anesthesia quite well and I'm receiving treatment for other issues that have complicated my weight loss attempts (I've gone down in BMI by 6.2 in the past 7 or 8 months). What's interesting about the literature coming out is that it demonstrates a reevaluation of the TJA risks, not necessarily because better materials are being used for joint replacement or that there are lower risks of complications, but the bigger picture about the human that needs it is being observed. It's hard to quantify quality of life improvements compared to hard data regarding post surgical complications, but studies are attempting to do that now. Considering the increasing obesity epidemic, I suppose this reevaluation was inevitable.

BMI was 42, doctor wanted it below 40 to consent to surgery, I'm below 35 and heading to 30.

I love your videos, thank you.

Hi Docs! I was so happy to see this. I am not sure if you all address any questions here so I hope this isn't inappropriate but, if I may... I have a wonderful man in my life who has suffered for so long. He is 60 yrs old and has needed hip replacement for years now. His BMI is around 50 (a little under 50) he saw 2 surgeons here (in VA) who do want him to lose some weight first. He has gone down a bit with no substantial loss of weight. His mobility is down to what we might call *impossible* . He can walk *only* with a walker, he is in a great deal of pain, his movement is limited to a *little* slow and labored walking around the house, he can barely get in and out of a car now (because of the hip, these things are not weight related). From the time he was first diagnosed and was told he needed surgery, he is a different man. His condition is just terrible. I do worry about him having higher risk surgery but he has gotten so bad now that he honestly cannot move enough to lose large amounts of weight. How would you recommend he approach this with his surgeon (or another surgeon). If you were his Dr., you would do the surgery? Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

THERE IS CHALLENGE WHERE I HAVE NOT LOST WEIGHT , YET I EXERCISE WALKING 7 MILES / DAY . (THIS MAY HELP IN TERMS OF ENDURANCE & FLEXIBILITY) .

When a patient falls into the category where as they lose mobility and pain increases and they gain weight, it is ridiculous for the doctor to tell the patient to lose weight until the patient ends up in a wheelchair while not losing weight. At 61, formerly athletic with a BMI of 41, with no diabetes, no high cholesterol, no heart condition (total CT Calcium Score of 16, Left anterior descending 13), no resting high blood pressure, where the bone on hip is a 10 out of 10 bad, No drugs, alcohol, smoking or asthma. In my opinion it is medical malpractice to deny total hip replacement. Hips are not knees, the ball sits in the hip pocket. Compound the issue by using the BMI height an inch less than adult height (on govt security documents) (9 pound BMI difference) where neck injury gives the patient a hunch, BMI is a set of numbers that doesn't take into account the frame size of the body. Primadona doctors who tell almost cripples to lose weight should have their licenses pulled and made provisional for the prison population with a respective hefty pay cut.

I am 5 ft 8 and 230 lbs my weight is around my chest and tummy. My hips and legs are not big as I used to work out every day and it made me strong. I have ranged in weight in my life from 120 lbs to 300 pounds. And I spend my life in restriction. And once I lose weight it creeps back. My surgeon has not expressed concern I did he said he's handled people bigger than me. I hope I don't die on the table with a bmi of 36. Very nervous.

Guys, I love these vids! I'm an advanced practice physiotherapist working in the uk. I spend most my time intercepting GP referrals to sort the appropriate orthopaedic patients from the ones who need more physio. Unfortunately often patients trust their GP more than us specialist MSK physios because they are a doctor, so when I ask them to trial some conservative options before surgery, they say we'll my GP said I need surgery! So it's nice to be able to point them to these videos which re-enforce in a clear way what might be wrong, how we know and what investigations are and are not appropriate and what treatment options they should try, and it comes from a doctor. (though I wish they trusted my opinion in the first place).

Love your attitudes Brad and Paul. Especially your motto, we are in-charge of ourselves. The number of times I saw my parents not have a clue as to the medications they were being given in hospital after surgery, let alone what it was for. Patients don't realise that while there are staff safety measures in place to ensure medications are correct, mistakes do happen. So when I am asked my name and DOB, I will ask what I am being given and when possible with tablets, I will want to see them, that they are what they are meant to be. Too many patients take no responsibility for their care.

Thank you for the always great information (and humor)! As of yesterday I have 2 weeks left before my left knee replacement. My goal/momentum is to lose at least 5 pounds by then, and then keep going down until I lose 45 more in a healthy and sensible way. More than anything I look forward to being able to do low impact exercises with no pain once I’ve recuperated. 🌹

I gained about 8# because my hip hurt and couldn't walk like I use to...going to get back in shape soon as the hip heals. ..great video!!

Thank you for this video! I am going for hip replacement and I am on Ozempic to lose some weight before I go in around November. I have watched all your videos and will show my appreciation!

Thank you for such an informative video. I realize my obesity makes everything more serious and risky; however, you two mentioned things I had no idea about! (For example, I had NO idea that our excess "tissue" can even increase our risk of infection !!!! ) I'm very glad I watched this, and I like the way you two explain things----but now I'm even MORE terrified to have surgery! LOL!!!!

Had rt hip replacement several years ago, fortunately lost some weight just before. Since, my physical exercise has increased, I have lost a few pounds, but more importantly have increased muscle mass, much stronger. I assume my bmi is the same, although I am much healthier.

I am slowly working on diet and lowering my A1C before getting a revision done! Thanks for information! I have lost more weight thank you but am still waiting for dental work which keeps getting delayed. Hopefully soon. Thanks again for all your videos and waiting more. God Bless.

I had an epidural for my bilateral knee replacement to limit risks of anesthesia. You guys are great. Yes, I did subscribe.

Definitely needed to see this because I’m thinking about hip surgery but concerned about my weight….BMI is 33 for my height

This is great advice- listen up folks.

Can you guys please do a video on hip revision I have had both hips replaced 2006 at 41 years old 2 months apart last year started having a lot of pain so now they want to replace both again metal on metal No plastic No now say Titanium was really not very good Wear and tear of the two metals getting in my blood Stream And my surgeon says the doctor that put them in had drilled my Hip sockets wrong and they would need to redrill as the sockets are sitting off to one side I was hoping that by now the carbon fiber hip replacement that the U.K. does would be in America by now So hopefully you can do a video on hip revisions I'm now 55 yrs old Also have the new bone growing over my hip replacements that's been cut out twice now and keeps growing back giving my very limited side to side movement I was one of the first patients to receive the robotic assist machine to Make keep everything in my legs straight but with the sockets being drilled wrong I don't think that work out to good Hope you can help Learned a lot from you to doctors Great videos Thanks Michael

I adore you guys!!! I live in the US & have had a myriad of health issues over my 50 years but most always they go back to my own underlying struggle with eating too much of the wrong foods. I'm actually very well educated in what to do to lose weight. I often do well & then I get in my own way. I'm currently on my way down from 358 to 285 & I have a Boston doctor who has agreed to do my knee replacement surgery. I've had 14 surgeries in my life & I go under light anesthesia for usually 3 Ablations via "Coolief" as I live in Chronic knee & back pain & thank God I never have problems with anesthesia. So my question would be "Do you have any advice for me?

Very helpful Dr’s ,thank you very much

yes really wish I had lost way more weight before my surgery knee surgery I think this would have made walking much easier.

I'm in rehab and people literally can't bear weight after surgery without dislocating or even fracturing their own bones when they are obese.

I was told BMI has to be 40 or below for hip surgery.

Your videos are great, and contribute to the average Joe's medical knowledge. A great service to humanity - you need a wider audience! By the way, you should start a merchandise store, selling, at the very least, those colorful hats you wear during videos. LOL

Thanks. Very helpful.

superb and honest

Good presentation

After i completed my 6weeks from ankle surgery january 0f 2023 i was told 110kg was too high for my height

What's interesting is I've never heard of somebody with Appendicitis being turned away because because there bmi is too high. This is another story of the gatekeepers denying care to the obese. It happens all the time.

Good information guys!

I'm 70 with a life expectancy of 100+. Used to be a power walker with a perfect body, and the only way to control my weight since my knee injury is to use the military diet three days a week. NOT fun!!! Can't wait to have my knee replaced and once again be able to walk two or three miles a day. Perhaps my old body will return to me.

Great info

My orthopedic surgeon will not operate on patients over 35 BMI. The risks are too high, and he boasts a terrific recovery rate!

I got my BMI down, now they are arguing sorry discussing my low ejection rate.

I've been overweight pretty much my whole life. For years all I heard was lose weight because it's so unhealthy & bad for your heart, possible diabetes, BP, etc. The thing no one ever mentioned was how bad the extra weight is on your joints. I know I should have realized on my own but I didn't. I've now had osteoarthritis and knee pain since my mid to late 30s. I had gastric bypass surgery at age 48 to try to help me lose weight and I did. Unfortunately as my knees continued to worsen I became less mobile and gained quite a lot back. Its so frustrating because I still can't overeat but because my arthritis is now so severe I have to use a walker. I'm 58 years old and I am finally scheduled for my first knee surgery in 2 weeks. I'm hopeful but also very scared & nervous since it's such a big surgery but at the moment I have no quality of life. I'll need a 2nd knee done and at least 1 hip eventually so I'm hoping things go well. It's been a really rough few years as Covid has pushed back so many surgeries plus I had to heal from a fracture in my lower femur. Thanks for your videos they're informative & thoughtful!

BMI at time of hip replacement surgery = 30. Deep peroneal nerve injury. Very weak dorsiflexion in the foot of the surgical leg. Wish I had listened to my gut feeling that I was too fat for this surgery.

Thank you for this informative video. At 58, my right knee has been replaced 2 times totally, with a revision in between over 5 yrs. my left knee needs it now. My BMI is 44 and my dr won’t do it until it’s less than 40. He wants me to have Bariatric surgery to get it off quickly. The plastic meniscus broke twice in the replaced one and he feels its weight related. Do you believe this could be true? Thanks again!

One doctor told me his cousin was heavy enough for two sets of hips.

It's been 8 weeks since full knee replacement surgery, Why my knee feels heavy after surgery?

I tore my ACL and was denied surgery cause of my weight(303, 5’5, 28 yr old woman) I was informed about the anesthesia risk, and was told if I lose weight I can get it. So I’m gonna work on getting this weight off my knee along with PT 😤😤 Thank you for this.

My surgeon I think he doesn’t really care that much, he wants me to have weight loss surgery before he will replace my hip! That whole process is a life changing experience in itself, and could take a year or two, then deal with my hip? I’ve never felt so at a loss in life that I feel useless and that there is no where for me to turn for help. First I’ve had hip pain for 15 years, in the last 3 it’s been worse, the last year it’s been the most excruciating pain ever in my entire life. Cant sit hurts, cant drive long it’s painful, cant sleep but and hour at time have to get up, I can’t lay on that side ever, walking on it is extremely painful. If you ask me sometimes I wake up in pain on a scale of 1/10 what will it be not even joking a 20 the worst pain like something is broken in there and i take moltrin and 30 minutes later it eases to a more tolerable level like back to a 8 or 9 ! It’s hard to lose weight when this is what I deal with daily. I’ve had injections they didn’t touch it, the doctor will not prescribe me and pain management. So i take moltrin by the hands full like 20 200mg a day! So there goes my liver and kidneys i guess. I’m 420lb 6 foot guy! Doesn’t seem like it’s that far fetched that i cant have this surgery. Dr even says yeah I can do that surgery and your pain will be gone, but I won’t for the risk! Will someone cut off my leg, I have chainsaw will travel 😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞. Oh yeah I must add I’ve lost my job a great job over this too, I can’t do anything with my kids or my grandson. I have had a job and work my whole life and now I’m miserable and broken and broke

I have a very high BMI 57 so surgeon denied my HIP replacement operation. So I live on NSAID Mobic to get me through the flair up, imflammation, pain. I wish I could lose this weight. My doctor told me to consider weight loss surgery,

Where do I find a Doctor in South Carolina that will do Hip Replacement with a 45 BMI ? I just had gastric sleeve and am losing weight but I need a hip replacement ASAP.

I have lost 45 lbs since November/18 I need a hip replacement looking to lose 25 lbs this year 2020 that will put me at 225 lbs iam working out now lots of cardio

Thanks for such a great video! Hey, have you ever done, am I too OLD to have this joint surgery? As a Geriatrician, I'd love to see your take on that!

I was wondering about that. What about people who always were "hippy" even when they were younger, weighted much less and not the 33.9 BMI i have now. Ohy!

Have you guys done a video on Neck Surgery, and when is it safe to drive a car after surgery?

What is your opinion of the MISHA Knee System

How do I get in contact with you about hip replacement ? My BMI is 41% and my hip is horrible shape...I'm in South Carolina and several Doctors have said they can't help me until I get below a 40... I can't hardly walk...I need to have something done. It's severe pain. Would love to have a conversation with you.

What about patients with the connective tissue disorder, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome? And/or patients who are overweight who also have EDS?

At 89 I am considered too old for knee replacement by my HMO! I can see some rational for this but as a generalization it strikes me as flawed. Weight would not be an issue, but the fact that I have type II diabetes--is this an issue?

Before deciding on a knee replacement surgery understand one thing: Surgeons do surgeries. Period. These guys are older in the tooth and seem to want to stay with old-fashioned painful traditional knee replacements when modern evidence DOES show that regenerative therapies like PRP actually work. I work out in a fitness class with a lady who worked as a registered nurse before retiring. Her husband is a physician. Before PRP she could hardly do a lunge move without wincing in pain She is now totally pain free and doing every move in the intermediate HIIT class. She had PRP therapy...not sure if they used fetal blood or her own blood. Downside is that in US Medicare wont pay for it because it's considered experimental. It can be quite expensive out-of-pocket. Due your own due diligence and don't listen to just one surgeon before deciding on knee replacement. Younger more open-minded docs will be more receptive to surgery alternatives like PRP therapy.

I need both knees replaced but it isn’t going to happen. Ever. I’m diabetic and the ortho surgeon is worried that my circulation is so bad that the knees won’t ever heal. Life in a wheelchair sucks.

When evaluating a patient for tkr do you take into consideration recent surgeries? I recently had a sleeve gastrectomy so I would think that should prove I have no problems being anesthetized. Before the surgery my bmi was above 70, now I'm close to 50, but weight loss as slowed. It's just so hard to lose weight when it's difficult to exercise.

In the past 6 months, I have seen 6 orthopedic surgeons about my knee. All agree that the only thing that can fix it is a TKR. And all 6 have said that because my BMI is over 40 they will not consider doing the surgery. One even said that NO surgery would be safe at my size (under 300 lbs, btw) because I had a 100% chance of blood clots, stroke, heart attack & even death! And a minute later, he suggested I have bariatric surgery. He was telling me "don't die on my table, go die on someone else's." If anybody knows an orthopedic surgeon in the Dallas/Fort Worth area who doesn't worship the BMI, please comment with their name. I'm losing hope that I will ever get the care I need thanks to the rampant fatphobia in this medical speciality.

My father has had a case of knee arthritis since years and it's gotten way worse now. He refuses to lose weight and the pain is affecting him greatly now. How can I make him realize the importance of losing weight. He hasn't made any changes in his diet or lifestyle even though the doctor has given him an ultimatum of either lose weight or lose your mobility. :(

I'm so angry and frustrated. I need a TKA but they refuse to do surgery until i lose 25 to 30 pounds. No way im going to lose that in 30 days!! Ive been to 3 different surgeons. Job on my feet and have to walk alot. No one cares. Im tired of hearing just lose weight. It doesnt help!

What is the name of the hospital where you perform your joint replacements and in what city, state are you located?