Overweight and Hip Replacement?

[GINGER]

Has anyone out there been overweight or know anyone who was overweight when they had hip replacement surgery? How did it effect recovery? Did they have a lot of serious complications? I am overweight and need hip replacement and would like to gather as much information as possible from anyone who has experienced hip replacement. Thanks, Ginger

 

[Josephine]

Ginger, I nursed hundreds of people who had hip and knee replacements and were grossly obese! They did just fine. One that sticks in my mind was a lady who weighed 390lbs and had her knee done. No problems! (her BMI was 67 - 20-25 is considered normal!) I nursed hippys that were nearly as big and those that had no other issues such as heart or respiratory ailments, had no problems either.

Has a surgeon said you are overweight?

How much do you actually weigh and how tall are you? I'll get you your BMI.

 

[GINGER]

Hi Jo, I am 5ft.9in. and estimate I weigh approx. 290lbs. now. I cannot stand or lift my feet to stand on a scale now, so I'm not sure exactly how much I weigh now, but I am pretty sure it is under 300lbs. When I saw the surgeon about 3 months ago he said he would like me to be as much under 300lbs. by next appointment and we would go ahead schedule surgery. I have checked my OS out throughly and know he is considered the best in my area who specializes in hip replacements, so I want him to do it. Thanks, Ginger

 

[clwhit]

Ginger, when I first started seeing my OS I weighed 283 lbs. He said I needed to lose weight before he'd do the surgery. I lost 59 lbs. prior to my surgery and am still on the losing track. I have not suffered any ill effects as a result of my being overweight. Pre-surgery, I was concerned about getting in and out of bed, getting up from a sitting position, not being able to walk because there was too much weight on the new joint, etc. I worried for nothing. My quality of life instantly improved post surgery and I was no longer in the excruciating pain I'd lived with for two, long years.

Now, I want to continue losing weight so that I'll be able to keep my hip as long as possible. I'm only 55 years old so a revision is probably in the cards for me.

Best of luck to you in your journey. Keep us posted.

~Carol

 

[Josephine]

Then your BMI is 44 (for what it's worth, that's about the same as mine!)

Liking your surgeon is one thing, but if he declines to do it on account of your size and you are so disabled you can't even get on a bathroom scale then you're doing yourself no favours.

 

[Tommy Utah]

This moves into a realm of things that gets me a little peeved. Yes I'm overweight 5'10" 270 lbs, but I have suffered for about 2 years in a futile doctor recommended attempt at weight loss all the while having my hips rapidly deteriorate further. I tried but even a (for me) light workout in the gym with 20-30 minutes cardio and 30 minutes upper body weight training would leave me so sore I almost couldn't get out of bed the following day. My doctors answer to this was more and stronger pain pills to take prior to workouts. In the end I could barely walk. How aside from gastric bypass or lapbelt surgery is one supposed to lose weight in this condition?

I went around my GP and went to an general orthopedic guy who had fixed a couple of my kids broken bones ( I have two active teenage sk8er - snowboarders). He took one look at my x-rays and was a bit peeved himself to see someone in that condition seeking help for the first time. He referred me to the hip specialist who toldme he normally discussed various options with first time patients but again one look at my x-rays and he said surgery was in order asap.

So OK yeah I'm carrying an extra 50-60 lbs, but those cobalt/chromium things they put in there look like they can handle a whole lot more than that.

I have had pretty good success in the past dropping weight in the gym, but that was prior to having this abject pain. My goal is to check back in here and tell of a fairly large weight drop over time, but prior to surgery it really didn't seem possible.

Note - in the nine weeks between surgeries I did begin to go to the gym with a light swimming and stationary bike cardio routine with light upper body weights. I lost 5 lbs. It still taxed my as yet unrepared hip. At one point I was peddling one legged on my new hip.

 

[pharman]

I, too, am overweight and awaiting replacement surgery. I am 5'6" and, the last time I weighed myself I was 270 lbs. I am in so much pain right now I walk with a cane only short distances. I cannot shop for groceries or anything else. We have purchased a wheelchair and I am able to get around with that. My doctor advised me to "get smaller," before my surgery, but he didn't say he required it. I'm still on a waiting list and was told earlier this week that the earliest time would be December, but it'd be more likely to be in January or February. I am in more and more pain all the time. I'm currently taking Vicodin for the pain, but it isn't working too well. I'm going to contact my PCP for something different. But, I still need to be able to work, so I can't take anything that makes me loopy! I was working out and losing weight, but I can no longer get onto my elliptical machine. I started swimming but getting from the car to the pool and back is becoming too painful. I know I would feel better at a lower weight, but it just isn't that possible while I'm in so much pain. I'm looking forward to having my hips done and being able to exercise and lose the weight. And, in a year's time I want to walk along the beach - pain free!!

 

[Josephine]

My goodness this all makes me so angry! What about quality of life? What about not wasting precious months and years in this miserable state? My advice is, keep getting extra opinions until you find someone who is more sympathetic.

 

[Laurie]

Hi all,
I have been reading this thread and it is so aggravating. Though I have not been what is considered overweight, I do completely understand how the pain of the hip (in my case) can disable you enough so that you are totally inactive. I had my right hip replaced 5 weeks ago, and because I am out of pain for the first time in years, I have lost at least 7 lbs just from Pt and walking again/going to the gym with a pedomenter. This is from someone who is of average weight (was 140 and counting down). The pain over the past 5 plus years have kept me from doing the walking, etc that I so wanted to do. I can only imagine how hard it is for folks who are heavier and in pain from joint problems. Seems logical that, within reason, the joint surgery must come first!!!!! It is so good to powerwalk again.....keep the faith.

Take care.
Laurie

 

[jaz]

Weight is so much easier to lose when you are active. Having had hip problems since birth I always found my hip was easier to manage if I kept my weight down and fitness up but you have to be able to exercise to get or keep fit! It angers me how these surgeons withold surgery from those who need it.

 

[GenoInWisc]

Folks, I am 57 yrs old, 5'8" & weigh 350lbs & just had a THR on my right hip. Now I have always been overweight but also physically active. Due to a lack of medical insurance I had to suffer in pain for about a year before I finally obtained insurance to see a surgeon. At no time did my doctor make me give me any hassles about my weight, he just got me into surgery ASAP. It's been 17 days since my THR surgery, & the pain before my surgery was much worse than the pain right after it, & now after 17 days, I'm nearly pain free. As Josephine said, look for another opinion/Doctor that will do the surgery ASAP. Why live in constant pain when there is an alternative?

 

[Josephine]

That's what I like to see - first post and straight in with the positive input! Welcome to BoneSmart!

 

[GINGER]

Thanks everyone, I would like to thank you all for the great information and advise. I know what I need to do now for myself to ease this miserable pain I have been in the last few years and regain some quality of life which I haven't had in a long time. Tomorrow I am off to the hospital and hope they will help me. I will update you on what happens. Thanks again, Ginger