Being obese can be a tricky affair. Apart from putting individuals in the way of adverse health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity can also have negative effects on the knee. That is why bariatric patients explore the chances they may have at knee replacement after bariatric surgery abroad.
In this article, you will discover the relationship that exists between bariatric surgery and knee replacement surgery. Furthermore, you will learn useful tips that will guide your decision of undergoing the operation.
What is Knee Replacement Surgery?
This surgical operation entails the removal of “worn-out joints”. The surgeon then infuses a new and synthetic joint into the position of the former. The operation comes in handy when patients find it hard to walk. After the procedure, there tends to be better mobility experienced on the former/replaced joints.
Let’s listen to Richard before we continue!
Studies reveal that hundreds of people move about every day without making time to visit a doctor on a monthly basis. Richard is like every other person that follows this method. Trained as a teacher and tutoring in one of the area schools in England, he didn’t give much thought to his health until his age began to drop. It is worth mentioning that he weighed 400lbs at the time and hardly gave thoughts to exercise.
Walking became a task, as he found it difficult to move about with ease. After much persuasion by family and friends, Richard settled for knee replacement surgery. Since then, he has been living a normal life. This story depicts the sad state of obese individuals who find it difficult to move around.
What is the Correlation between Weight Loss Surgery and Knee Replacement
Unknown to some patients, there is a relationship that exists between knee replacement and bariatric surgery. The thin line that brings the two together is the focus of this part of the article. Read further to find out the underlying relationship. You’ll also find out why you may need knee replacement surgery alongside weight loss surgery.
The Joint carries the Body’s Weight
It is easy for non-obese people to walk without stress. However, the bulk of the body’s weight rests on the joint. It all boils down to the knee, which acts as a support for the entirety of the body frame. In light of this, let us consider the impact on obese individuals.
Heavier People need Joint Replacement
Do not go about suggesting this to every obese individual you see walking down the pathway. The fact is that heavier (obese) people have a higher chance of qualifying for bariatric surgery abroad. This is because obesity puts more pressure on the weight-bearing joints, of which the knee is the sole harbinger.
As we admonished, it may not be wise to intimate obese individuals with the prospects of knee replacement surgery. They may be ignorant of this and may take offense. However, it is wise to consult a doctor when there is difficulty in movement. Studies show that a good number of obese people are not aware of the stress they put on the knee as they move. At some points, constant movements in this state can result in loss of cartilage. This, in turn, can change/slow down the pace of mobility.
The correlation between knee replacement surgical operation and bariatric surgery takes root in the weight loss prospects of weight loss surgery. Studies posit that obese individuals who combine weight loss with knee surgery tend to get all-around improvements in their health.
Adverse Effects of a Higher BMI
Another factor that links these two (2) surgical operations are the Body Mass Index (BMI) of prospective patients. Just like individuals undergoing bariatric surgery abroad, a higher BMI exerts severe pressure on the joints. Therefore, it is important to have a dossier of your Body Mass Index (BMI). Endeavour to check it at intervals, and alert the doctor when it gets to the morbid state of 35+.
When should I consider Knee Replacement Surgery?
The early signals that hint on the surgery are when your movement gets slow and experiencing sharp pains when walking. Below is the detailed information that will help you decide on knee replacement surgery.
- Experiencing Joint Pain
Pains are peculiar when there is extra stress at the joints. This can be excruciating and can reduce mobility. In the story illustrated at the start of this article, Richard found it hard to move around his workplace.
You have to consider knee/joint replacement when experiencing severe joint pain. It is easy to detect this. The sudden surge of pain that shoots through the knee when climbing a flight of stairs is a sign. In addition, having to force yourself to move are indications that you need to undergo knee replacement surgery.
- Severe Cases
If not checked, joint pain can take get severe and result in arthritis. This is not in any way what you wish yourself. Therefore, it is of importance to watch out for these signs and consult your doctor when the pain becomes overbearing.
What are the Chances for Obese Individuals?
While you make efforts to undergo the surgery, it is also important to consider your chances while at it. Note that knee replacement surgery may not be for everyone that has joint pains. This is because some individuals tend to keep away from it despite the huge gains it has in stock. For some others, the operation may not be suitable because of the current state of their health. Below are factors that influence the chances of obese individuals at knee replacement surgery.
- Risks grow with the Body Mass Index (BMI)
Note that the underlying risk in this surgical operation correlates with the Body Mass Index (BMI). Just like bariatric surgery abroad, a higher BMI may not be favorable for the surgery. Studies also show that inherent risks tend to grow with an increased Body Mass Index (BMI). Therefore, it is important to maintain an average BMI before undergoing the operation.
- Underlying Complications
It is worth mentioning that complications are possible on this surgical operation. Note that such complications are exclusive to morbidly obese individuals. On the other hand, the chances of full recovery are slim because of the BMI status of the involved individuals. Thus, the chances of obese individuals may be higher or lower depending on the Body Mass Index (BMI).
- Immediate Knee Replacement is possible
If you meet up with the BMI and other requirements, you can be on your way to immediate knee replacement surgery. The process is fast and you’ll walk out of the clinic better than before. Note that you may need braces to sustain mobility while the effects of the operations wear out.
Is Weight Loss Surgery better before or after Knee Replacement Surgery?
The die is cast and the stage is set for the operation. However, you have to wait for the surgeon’s advice before taking the next step. The confusion here is whether to lose weight before or after the knee replacement surgery. We highlight the advantages of each of these weight loss options.
Losing Weight before Knee Replacement Surgery
Surgeons often suggest pre-operation weight loss. The aim is to facilitate the success of the surgery and improve the life of the patient afterward. It is worth noting that this approach has better prospects that you will find amazing. Here are some of them:
- Reduced BMI
The core beneficiaries in this regard are patients with higher Body Mass Index (BMI). Losing weight using physical activity and controlled diets help in the control of pressure on the joints. This approach is essential because it reduces the “load” on the weight-bearing joints. In the end, surgeons will find it easier to navigate the site of the surgery.
- Low Complication Rates
Individuals with morbid obesity can have better chances at knee replacement surgery after losing weight before the operation. On the other hand, this reduces the high rate of complications that characterize traditional knee replacement operations.
The Impact of Losing Weight after Knee Replacement
Bariatric surgery abroad is also on the list of priorities for some obese individuals considering knee replacement. To them, this approach is a better way to cushion the adverse effects of the operation. It is also effective in the sustenance of knee replacement. Below are takeaways of losing weight after knee replacement surgery.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
It is common practice for patients to consider bariatric surgery abroad after knee replacement surgery. This is to facilitate the overall performance of the knee surgery. The idea behind this concept is to maintain a healthy lifestyle by shedding off extra kilos of flesh. This is tenable because the joints may be in danger’s way if the excess kilos of flesh in the body does not go off.
- Facilitating Physical Activity
It is common knowledge that regular exercises are integral parts of weight loss surgery. It is quite essential in this case for patients that do not seriously take to physical activity. After bariatric surgery abroad, patients do not have any other alternative than exercising the body at intervals.
This has positive impacts on the body. First, it promotes physical activity, which is what the patient needs to keep fit after the operation. This activity promotes the mobility of the new joint. Most importantly, exercising the body (particularly areas surrounding the joint) helps in decreasing pains in the joint. Therefore, post-weight loss surgery is also tenable after knee replacement surgery.
The Process
This surgical operation is easy to perform. All the surgeon has to do is replacing old joints with new, synthetic ones. Note that this surgical operation is imperative for obese individuals that experience pain in the joints, because of the overbearing pressure triggered by obesity.
The areas of concentration are the knee, hips, and shoulder. The hips and knee get major attention when it has to do with obese individuals. After the surgery, patients can have a new lease on life. Now, they can walk better and exercise without restrictions.
Who is Qualified?
It is worthy of note that a “select few” qualify for knee replacement surgery. It is a fact that obese people are major patients. There are specific classes of bariatric patients that qualify for it. In light of this, the following categories of patients can undergo the surgery:
- Obese Individuals with walking difficulty
The surgery is necessary for obese individuals that cannot work properly because of excruciating pain.
- BMI Considerations
The operation is also suitable for individuals with a moderate Body Mass Index (BMI). Note that a BMI of 40-50 may not be suitable for this surgery. To qualify, it is important to shed off extra kilos of flesh before the operation.
Weight Gain after Knee Replacement
Despite the fact that this surgery frowns at a higher Body Mass Index (BMI), there are cases where patients’ BMI went up after the operation. This scenario is possible when patients do not abide by post-op requirements after bariatric surgery abroad.
Weight gain after knee replacement surgery can have devastating effects on the body. Apart from plunging the patient into obesity, it also affects the joints. This time, the negative effects tend to be higher than the former. It takes an urgent medical intervention to save the day in severe cases like this. It is pertinent to sustain weight loss to avoid this scenario.
Between the Patient and the Surgeon
Has a doctor turned down your request when seeking bariatric surgery abroad? It is also possible for the surgeon to do the same when seeking knee replacement surgery. This scenario plays out when your BMI is higher than required. Because of the rarity of such cases, the surgeon may find it hard to look into your case.
Do not let that deter you. Keep seeking out clinics that can offer you knee replacement surgery despite the morbid state of obesity. Your focus should be on a surgeon and clinic/hospital that has requisite experience in knee replacement operation. Above all, liaise with your doctor to get professional advice and guidance.
Replace your Knee
Do not let fears of the surgery overshadow your chance of reshaping your life. The knee is the abode of the weight-bearing joints. It is important to rectify the severe joint pains you experience by undergoing knee replacement surgery. Weight Loss Riga should be able to offer valuable advice on your chances at bariatric surgery abroad before/after the knee operation. On a final note, keep in touch with your doctor for proper guidance.
