Why do I need to lose weight for surgery?
Depending on your Body Mass Index (BMI), you may be told that you need to reduce your weight prior to surgery. People with a BMI score of over 35 can have a much more difficult time healing and have an increased risk of complications.
Here are some of the specific complications associated with obesity after joint replacement surgery:
- Infection
- Poor wound healing
- Difficulty breathing
- Blood clots
- Blood loss
- Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs)
- Difficulty participating and meeting the required goals of the physical therapy program
- Falls resulting in catastrophic injury to the new and healing knee replacement.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUR BMI SCORE IS AND MORE INFORMATION ON THE SUBJECT.