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Does being overweight affect surgical outcome?

Posted , 9 users are following.

luvinlex
luvinlex

I've read where some people have a more difficult time post op when they weigh too much.  Is there a push to have these overweight people lose some before they get surgery? I know it would be nearly impossible to do it afterwards. It's terrible to have to deal with that along with joint and possibly other health issues. It also can effect your self esteem and your results may be even worse because you find it hard to exert yourself very much. ( laying around all day on the sofa watching TV instead of walking or exercizing ) I also wonder, is the pain worse when you carrry a lot of body weight? I know someone who is heavy and they are planning this surgery. I can barely tolerate my private therapy sessions and my BMI is normal. I can't imagine being overweight and then trying to recover. Just curious.

2 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • debbi1949
    debbi1949 luvinlex

    Posted

    I'm pre surgery and 30 pounds overweight. In my opinion it is just as hard before surgery (pain with walking) to lose weight as after. At least after you gradually get better with less, or no pain and movement, exercise and longs walks could be resumed.
    • luvinlex
      luvinlex debbi1949

      Posted

      Right! I never thought of it that way. Of course when you feel better and have less pain. You'll be way more active. 
  • supercargo
    supercargo luvinlex

    Posted

    Apparently 1 kg body weight, puts 3 kg stress on hips.
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK luvinlex

    Posted

    I lost over 70 pounds (5 stone), and do not for a minute regret it. My doctor insisted that I was to be under a BMI of 30 before he'd refer me to a surgeon.

    The main differences, are that I find the exersises easier to do, and the scar is shorter (my wife reports that there is a lot less of me in that area now, she can now grasp her own wrists when she reaches around me).

    The downside is that my muscle tone in the posterior area is worse than it was before my weight loss, due to muscle shrinkage .............. you just can't win.

    Oh yes, and I had to chuck out all my old clothes (up to 10 inches too big for me now) and get a whole new wardrobe, including pyjamas, underwear, trousers, jeans, even shoes!

    The weight loss was done with the help of my surgery nurse, she checked me out every few weeks.  My blood blood pressure, sugar level, liver function and cholesterol were all good before, but have all improved to significantly better levels, and I have much less chance of developing diabetes now too.

    Graham - 🚀💃

    • luvinlex
      luvinlex Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      70 pounds is incredible! and a new wardrobe to boot! Win Win! 

      I've got poor muscle tone because I have no muscle. I don't know what that stuff is in me... LOL

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK luvinlex

      Posted

      With my wife's cooking, I don't know how I did it - being at work helped. Not there to enjoy 'elevensies', 'coffee and cake', snacks
    • alice85142
      alice85142 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      I also managed to loose weight with help from the surgery nusrse,  I saw her today and admitted to the 10-12 pound gain sinec hip op..she was lovely and said 'just come back and we will start again'.......I f I had lost as much or even half as much as you have I would have worn the dress size labels outside to show off!

      ALi

  • alice85142
    alice85142 luvinlex

    Posted

    I am def overweight but don' t think my recovery was delayed  and i was n't told to loose weight ..but know i shuold..how lovely that you can't imagine being overweight!!

    Ali  

  • renee01952
    renee01952 luvinlex

    Posted

    Hi Luvinlex, 

    You are lucky that you have don't deal with this ... Gradually I was gaining weight, less mobility, more pain - not being able to take the stairs but the elevator, etc. 

    Didn't get any better after 1st THR as the other hip was getting bone-on-bone - during this in-between time more weight gain - 

    Not sure how it hinders my recovery, but pretty sure it does - 

    big warm hug

    renee

    • luvinlex
      luvinlex renee01952

      Posted

      I have fought with my weight all my life, from size 4-14. I know I've lost muscle mass because of it. I never thought it would ever effect me but

      it seems to have. I have these chicken legs with little muscle, makes recovery a lot harder. PTherapist, said he'd whip me into shape. Yikes

    • alice85142
      alice85142 luvinlex

      Posted

      Heavens if I was a szie 14 I would be thrilled!!  Is this USA sizes or UK?

      ​Ali

    • luvinlex
      luvinlex alice85142

      Posted

      US - don't know what Euro would be, only I think I wear 29 in shoe size... ;-)
    • alice85142
      alice85142 luvinlex

      Posted

      I don't know what Euro sizes are either/  In UK  the sizes are slightly different. i.e. size 14 here in UK is size 12 in USA  ..size 18 ( which is what I am ) is size 16 in USA..  Whichever way I look at it I would like to be a size 16 here or size 14 in USA!  My shoe size is 71/2.....I am starting serious dieting week after next as my sister is coming for a week and it is so lovely to be having someone here....

      Ali x

      ​Hey ho.....

  • rose0000
    rose0000 luvinlex

    Posted

    I am pretty sure lots of people become overweight BECAUSE of the pain in their hips stopping almost all forms of sport and exercise, so it may simply not be an option to lose any weight pre op. I know I could barely do a thing towards the end despite my love for cycling, running and going to the gym. I even worked out through the pain, and my goodness it was NOT worth it, the pain was unbearable at night and I had to switch to just toning my top half and arms and floor exercises. I would think a new hip in time is the best chance of anyone getting fit.

    I don't know whether it is harder recovering, no idea, but going to a good PT would be able to help anyone that is overweight post op, as they can help with exercise and ideas that are within the safe limits of recovery.

    I think it is important to deal with the dodgy hip first, get that sorted and people can win back their fitness and health in no time.

     

    • luvinlex
      luvinlex rose0000

      Posted

      OK. I can totally understand that. After, you're out of pain, then you can start slowly to walk and they say water aerobics is a very good way to work the hip with no strain. I did water aerobics in the shallow end, but the deep end aerobic, wow, that's hard, You have to tread water the entire hour. I don't think over working is good at all... we should all know our limits.
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