Become an Insider

Denied TKR Until I Lose Weight

Status
Not open for further replies.
Kaiser Northwest also won't do knees when BMI is 30+, because of higher risk of complications and more difficult rehab. (It also puts hospital/PT staff at risk.) However, I heard from someone who I did PT with after my first that his GP really helped him with weight loss: referral to a nutritionist, physical therapy, etc. I don't know how long it took him, but he did it -- and he was doing great.
Given that you're making a sincere effort to lose weight, I wonder whether another Kaiser surgeon would be willing to put you on his/her schedule as long as you keep making progress for the next X-number of months (three to six) and you do some "pre-hab" exercise so you're better prepared for post-op rehab. Swimming -- though not a great way to lose weight for some reason -- helps build strength. A lot of Y's have arthritis exercise classes; you'll find all shapes and sizes -- and no judgment!
You have a great attitude. Oh, if your insurance is through your employer, enlist your personnel/HR department. They'd much rather have a productive worker than someone on disability who's also bad-mouthing the company's insurance carrier!
 
Count me as another overweight person (couldn't walk far with 2 bone on bone knees) with Kaiser insurance (northern CA). My OS didn't hesitate to give me a surgery date when I was referred. No lectures...I commented on my weight and he said he'd done surgeries on much larger people. Sounds like you got referred to a jerk. I hope you can get referred to another OS. Kaiser has some great surgeons. Good luck!
 
Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement. I just had a second opinion from another Kaiser Dr and he said the same thing regarding weight. He told me Kaiser won't do the surgeries for anyone over a 30 BMI (I'm at 39). He told me the reason was because the infection rate jumps up drastically with patients that are obese. He did say my x-rays showed severe arthritis and I'm bone on bone in both knees. He told me I was young (56) but he promised me if I got my BMI to 32 they could probably do it. So that gave me a bit more hope. He wants me to lose a minimum of 30 lbs. Kaiser did have me do the Optifast program (all liquid) and I lost 15 lbs .. that was about 6 months ago and I have kept it off. So I have put myself on a strict program of Weight Watchers. I'm determined to lose the weight mainly because I can't live like this much longer. .. but I also know its good for me.

I keep reading other posts which keep me focused on my goal. I will keep all of you updated during my progress. :)
 
You might try the app NOOM. It was good at helping me see what I was eating. Also look at No Excuses Workout. Most of their exercise can be done sitting down.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart®
 
Though I don't believe Kaiser should have denied you, you have an attitude that should serve you well. As you lose the necessary weight, you'll continue to educate yourself on this forum, and get in some of the suggested exercises to prepare you for surgery. Stay in touch!
 
I know for a fact that that's not true of all the Kaisers. Every facility is different, even though they're all Kaisers. For instance, Kaiser Roseville wanted me to be at a low weight before they would do my breast reduction a few years back, but I couldn't lose weight as I was in too much pain in my back and shoulders from all the weight up front. Kaiser South Sacramento had a different policy and did the surgery a month later; I then promptly began to do more and lost 60 lbs! Losing weight is always a good thing, but it's much easier after your knee(s) works. I have seen many Kaiser knee replacement patients in all this who are quite large, and had the surgery. Try another Kaiser facility. I've been a Kaiser client (both in No. Calif. and So. Calif) for 37 years and believe me, I know more about them than most people.
 
Way to go on keeping the weight off after the Optifast!--that's the hard part.
 
You have a wonderful attitude and I have no doubt you will lose the weight you need to in order to have this surgery. I think it's crazy that this is a stipulation for you to have this done. I'll bet most of us here gained weight over the years because of lack of mobility…I know I did. It makes me sad to read that some doctors will do it and some won't…it just seems to be the luck of the draw as to what insurance group you belong to and that is simply not fair! Weight Watchers is a wonderful program….I am a Lifetime member and worked there for several years. Good luck to you! Let us know your progress and when you get a surgery date…..I just know it won't be long!
 
Keep loking!! I was the sae heght and weight as you (lost 20 lbs aftr surgry 0. I went to four doctors as I was not finding the right match, not one said a word about my weight and my surgery went great; there are lots of docs out there;maybe before you waste your time at the dr. ask when you make
an appt. if weight is an issue; two places asked me this before they would make an appt.
 
I agree - I got on the phone and just started calling doctors and asking if they had BMI restrictions. I think the only problems I've had after surgery were caused by waiting so long and getting so de-conditioned before surgery. It makes it harder to recover when you've been sedentary for a long time. Let us know how you're doing as you work your way thru this process.
 
I would start making those phone calls and find the right OS for you! After your surgery, you should be much more active after your recovery, so you will have an easier time losing the wait.

I also lost weight during my recovery, too---the pain meds certainly dampened my appetite and everything fit better after the BTKR.

I am sure that you will find that OS who will help you out!
 
I have no idea were all this BMI is coming from. I do know that OS like to have a high rate of good outcomes. I really can't say that my heavier patients did not have as good as an outcome as my slightly heavy patients. It is so hard to lose weight when you are in pain. I always remind my patients that an OS has never rehabbed any one. A good rehab team can assist in having a good outcome.
Keep at it!
David
 
David I could not agree more!

Plus the fact that the patient is trying to get back to living "a quality of life again!" There is no quality when the pain is so bad. It drives me crazy when doctors deny patients based on their BMI!
 
I had to lose weight for my surgery - at the time of my accident I had a BMI of 66 and I was set the goal of a 45 - in the end they operated when I had a 51 BMI because the risks of waiting outweighed the risks of operating.

I suffered none of the complications that usually cause concern (infection/blood clots) - while my recovery has been slow this is more due to the damage of the original accident
 
I was considered obese when I doctor. At one time I was also told I was too young but wasn't overweight. I'm now 66 and finally had both knees done 6 wks ago. OS said me was that it would help tremendously if I lost weight but didn't pressure me. I was also diagnosed with diabetes at the same time which could have cancelled the surgery if it wasn't' under control. That added to my motivation.

In 3 months I lost 42 lbs and another 15 in the hospital. I didn't go on a "diet" because I knew I was going to have to change my eating habits permanently, which was hard but I did it. Actually my knees felt so much better I almost canceled surgery. But bone on bone doesn't go away. (I also couldn't' exercise due to my knees. I managed 10 min at a time slowly on the treadmill 3 times a day. And I had to work up to that.)

Recovery is tough and I know the weight loss has helped me so much. I'm glad I did it (and so was my doctor). It really is to your benefit for health and recovery. I'm sure you can find a doctor who will work with you. I wish you the best in your journey.
 
I gained 30-35 lbs these past 2 or so years as my knee got worse and harder to walk on. I want to lose all I gained, maybe even 15 or so extra, and since the surgery I have lost approx. 14 lbs already, mostly due to loss of appetite and the flu. As I get more active, the rest will come off as I really don't have any awfully bad eating habits; more a slow metabolism or whatever they call it these days. I know I burn calories at a slower rate than most people. I generally stick to 1400 calories per day, but I'm doing well right now to get 900-1000 calories in me in a day, and often only get 700 in as I eat a few bites and I'm stuffed. It's so hard to lose when you can't move around much and what moving you do is of the slow variety. I used to be a speedy walker, but no one who is bone-on-bone can do that. I hope you can get the surgery, then work hard (after you recover) to lose the extra weight. I know it's no fun to be overweight, and I wish you all the best.
 
If you can find a pool that could be beneficial. I was able to drop from 262 to 249 using the pool. My surgeon just said it would help but never denied me the surgery
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Corganics CBD

Staff online

  • Layla
    Layla
    Staff member since November 20, 2017

Members online

Total: 2,443 (members: 3, guests: 2,440)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom