BMI Concern

I'm not sure what my BMI is but I was 218 when I had my THR posterior just over a year ago. I'm in California. Had a great surgeon. Am doing well.

I don't even know what mine is and they didn't check it. I am 35+ lbs overweight.

Michelle,

I had a total knee replacement 5 years ago and a total hip replacement 2 .5 years ago. For both procedures, my BMI was above 44. At the time if both surgeries, I weighed over 300 pounds. My doctor completed an anterior hip replacement for me in November 2015. Both surgeries were successful. I do feel that having such a high BMI made my rehabilitation very long (5 years total...starting with my knee) and quite painful. My surgeon felt that waiting for me to drop weight would be futile, as I was in so much pain I couldn't tolerate any exercise. I didn't address my excessive weight until 4 years into painful rehab. I started a low carb lifestyle 17 months ago...I have dropped 150 pounds and now am strong and pain free.

I think my BMI is 38 and I just had a right THR without any problems. I've also had 2 spinal fusions. I got a 2nd opinion for my 1st back surgery and the 2nd opinion doctor refused to operate on me. Instead he suggested weight loss surgery. I was devastated. When I told the 1st doctor, he was furious. He said losing weight WOULD NOT fix my back and he's operated on people that are a lot bigger than me. Surgery was great and he actually recommended the hip doctor, who didn't bat an eye at my size. And with my hip, its due to a condition that I was born with, hip dysplasia.

Can your primary physician recommend someone?

Good luck and don't give up. You deserve to feel better!

Yes, my BMI was that or a bit higher and I had one surgeon who told me to come back when I had lost 50 pounds. I could not walk without severe pain, but he didn't care. My husband suggested a second opinion, so I actually Googled "highest rated surgeon" in my region. Got in to see him and he said it looked like I needed a hip replacement. I told him about the 50 pounds guy, and he said, "I've operated successfully on people much heavier than you." That was music to my ears! Two weeks later I was out of surgery and on the mend. Keep looking for the surgeon who treats you with respect and compassion. Good luck in your journey!

I was about a 100 kilo's or about 212lbs, when mine was done, not being able to walk because of pain, did not help with weight loss. 

Although I did my best to stay fit with treading water in the local heated pool, prior to starting exercise program, had developed clot in lower leg due to lack of being able to move, damned if you do and damned if you don't.

My right hip was drilling a hole in my pelvis, or what was left of my right hip, every time I moved, specialist was shocked and told me to fire my local GP in no uncertain terms.

Have been on a weight loss program the last few months with a local weight reduction club, volunteer group of fellow people suffering from the same problem, very good, to have and group support, and because its all volunteer not too much in fees, as being a pensioner and on limited income you just have to make money stretch.

Im 5'8" and 211 lbs. Got a new hip 9 weeks ago. I am a new women with no pain. Have a new lease on life. Doing my exercises and more. I am embarking on a weightloss program because this extra weight is NOT good for many reasons and not just our joints. But going through a major op like this...it's a given things have to change.

Good luck to you! ?

I just got a new hip 3 months ago ... I had to wait two years due to my BMI ..my doc in Florida would not start the process till I was within 10 lbs of 40 BMI ..per doc all surgical complications are tripled with BMI over 40 .. doc don’t know why .. I had gastric sleeve surgery in aug so I could lose enough weight fast enough to get a hip .. per doc I would be in a wheel chair in 6 months without surgery.. I lost 130 lbs  and a new hip .. message me if you want more info 

I know my surgeon would not operate on anyone over 40 bmi. I think some doctors are much more risk averse than others. I do know someone’s mother who was 280 pounds who had a new hip. There was someone in hospital when I had my hip done who had had weight loss surgery before having their new hip. 

I was very overweight, and like you was told to get down to BMI 30 before surgery would be performed, this is common in the UK.

I knew I needed the surgery, so 'did the work' to get it down.  It was darned hard, but with willpower and a supportive wife I managed it.

They don't like to perform THR on larger patients as it's more difficult to perform the operation with an excess of flesh in the hip area, there is more chance of a problem after surgery like the stem breaking the femur, and recovery is more of a problem with extra weight.

BMI = Weight in Kilos divided by (Height in Metres squared)

So for 6'2", or 1.88 metres, I needed to be under 106kg or 233.7 pounds (16stones 10 pounds)