Joint replacement surgery is sometimes a requirement for those who are overweight and have significantly strained their joints. This might include problems with the knees or the hips, and once the damage has gotten to a certain point, surgery is often the only solution.
However, those who are overweight usually face more complications from joint replacement surgery. That’s why bariatric surgery is sometimes recommended as a necessary first step.
At Bergen Bariatric and Surgical Solutions P.C., Dr. Mikhail A. Botvinov offers surgical procedures that help you better control and manage your weight loss. He and the rest of our team perform safe, effective procedures that will allow you to live the life you want.
Not everyone needs joint replacement surgery because of their weight. But those who do have often put more strain on their joints from being overweight, which has worn on them over time. For example, an Australian study found patients who were overweight or obese had a higher likelihood of developing knee osteoarthritis and requiring knee replacement surgery.
Unfortunately, joint replacement surgery is also harder on those who carry more weight. The procedure usually requires more hospital time, patients are more likely to have comorbidities and to return to the hospital after surgery, and they may require different or additional medications post-procedure.
In many cases, it’s considered better for patients to be able to lose weight before undergoing joint replacement surgery. But with painful joint problems, trying and losing weight the old-fashioned way can be unsafe. This is where bariatric surgery can make a difference.
You can seek several types of bariatric surgery before getting your joint replacement surgery. One of these is the gastric bypass, and while it is incredibly effective, it’s also a very intense surgery. This is why we sometimes recommend the milder gastric sleeve procedure.
You won’t be able to undergo bariatric and joint surgery simultaneously or even back-to-back. Patients should wait at least six months between procedures. Still, bariatric surgery can greatly affect your health and allow your following joint replacement procedure to go more smoothly.
A 2021 study found patients who received total hip replacements more than six months after bariatric surgery saw fewer 90-day readmissions. Another study found bariatric surgery helps to reduce comorbidity in obese patients with pre-joint replacement surgery. Finally, a 2022 study found that some patients no longer required joint replacement surgery after bariatric surgery.
These possibilities should always be considered on a patient-by-patient basis. When you visit with Dr. Botvinov, he will consider your specific needs and determine a treatment plan that is best for you.
Bariatric surgery has helped many people lose weight and more safely and healthily participate in different activities, lifestyles, and even other medical procedures. To learn more, book an appointment online, or call us today 201-778-5344.
