Am I too fat to have a hip replacement?

Some hospitals won't accept you for hip surgery if your Body Mass Index is more than 35. Being overweight shouldn't stop you from having surgery, but it does increase the risks of having major complications. I will explain these in more detail in the video.
If you would like more information then please get in touch.
02380 258402
[e-mail]
www.lathamhips...

[@darshnarach8889]

One major challenge with this and i totally respect all your points. Being turned away has a massive effect on. Your pma. Your ability to try and stay at your weight or loose weight. To be rejected from even being put on the nhs waiting lists delays your treatment, doesn't give you an target to work towards. Worse still steroids injections are offered to treat the pain which degrades the bone in the joint. Nsaids destroy yoyr kidneys and linjng to stomach. So all these delays worsen your health. Meanwhile a patient goes from being able to work ft to only pt now money is harder which makes better food gym or physio harder... then as pain get worse maybe gerd... maybe needing crutches to release the hip everytime they stand. As pain gets worse the ability to sleep becomes impossible sometimes. Tbis affects the bodys response to inflamation, weightloss, cognitive function. By now the patient goes from a full life to barely leaving home, having to find food however because getting prepping and cooking take time and energy that cause more pain. Some days you can't sit, stand, walk up stairs, lay down. Lack of bladder control adds to the humiliation.

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

It's very difficult. The NHS website has a lot of useful information about nutrition and diet. Carbs are the problem. They make inflammation worse, and you get into a vicious circle.

[@darshnarach8889]

@@Lathamhipsurgery people need to know its much more than just carbs... its a question of having enough fibre, fresh fruit and veg, a complex variety of herbs and spices, fermented foods. And a balanced amount of protein. Too much protein also gets stored as fat.

[@debyoungs4659]

Thank you for explaining this. I believe the hospitals in the USA need to hear this. I myself have a higher BMI. I had my left hip replaced at this weight in 2016- 2017. No complications, went very well. Now, my right hip needs to be replaced and for the past almost 3 years, I have been suffering in extreme pain and not 1 surgeon in the USA will help me due to the hospital policies. I know the risks, yet they are refusing to help me. I have no quality of life at the moment, I struggle everyday with this extreme pain. The medical society in the USA answer is "Here, take these opiates, they will help the pain" and than turn around and state that there is a epidemic in the USA with opiates. Good God! They are the ones creating it. I need help, can you help me?

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

I’m sorry to hear about your experience. Hospitals and surgeons are judged on their results. If they take on higher risk patients then their outcomes aren’t as good. This makes them reluctant to do surgery. My advice is to find a ‘mature’ surgeon who has the skills experience and attitude to rise above this. I wish I could help you but I’m in the UK.

[@debyoungs4659]

@@Lathamhipsurgery I sought out several experienced surgeons. The surgeon that replaced my left hip retired. I have spoken to about 20 different surgeons and not one is willing to preform the surgery. The one that is willing to preform it, states that the hospital that he has Privileges at, will not allow him to because of the hospital policies. What does a person do in this situation? The last surgeon I seen stated she would think about it and decided not to. Even though she's been a surgeon for well over 30 years.

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

@@debyoungs4659if obesity is the reason they are unwilling to do the surgery then you might benefit from bariatric surgery. Ask your family doctor for advice on this.

[@Heathermarie7494]

​@Lathamhipsurgery how is it OK to be approved for weight loss surgery while obese but not hip replacement? Aren't there some of the same risks and concerns as well? I am in the same situation as the commenter above. I am at the end of my rope.

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

@@Heathermarie7494the risk vs benefit ratio is different. Bariatric surgery is usually done laparoscopically. The reason to do it is to try and save someone from the life threatening complications of morbid obesity. Hip replacement surgery in obese people has significant risks to life and limb that could make you much worse off compared to doing nothing.

[@irenedavo3768]

My Sister was on NHS Wait List for Hip Replacement from Junec2021. In October Hip collapsed! Consultant said must be able to stand! She cannot! No Care Plan! No replies to Complaints! 8 Months later in bed in Nursing Home. They would not let her stay in Hospital

[@barbarafenton1775]

How very sad...

[@lindaterrell9366]

🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 😢😢😢

[@Eros13adios]

Wow,very sad and tragic to hear this 😢

[@darshnarach8889]

Thats aweful have you looked into private physio

[@markaxon1002]

Just been watching your videos, and they are really informative. Thank you. I was recently diagnosed as having avascular necrosis in both my hips, due to the steroids given to me while I was in hospital being treated for Covid. I have been told that I will need total hip replacement for both hips and will need to lose weight before this. Also the Dr is reluctant to operate due to my age (36). Going to try my best to lose as much weight as possible but as you state, it's difficult with reduced mobility because of the hip problems. Thanks again for the videos, really helpful.

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

Thanks for your comments. I'm sorry to hear about your AVN and the problems it's caused you. In my experience, most people with AVN of the hips end up having surgery within 2 years of the diagnosis, so I usually just get on with it once you are fit for surgery, and the AVN has run its course. Hope it goes well for you.

[@irenedavo3768]

That's bad news! Caused by Covid?

[@irenedavo3768]

@@Lathamhipsurgery I have questions

[@markaxon1002]

@@irenedavo3768 no caused by the steroids used to treat covid.

[@lindaterrell9366]

🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@amberj6760]

Doctor, thank you for the info! At least there is hope..could you tell us the answer to this...if you are obese and have hip replacement, what is the % that patient will have severe complications? What are the percentages if a normal weight?

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

Good question. The relative risks of complications like infection and dislocation are 2-3x that of someone who isn’t obese. Here’s a link to a good research paper on this www.orthojournal.org/articles/the-implications-of-obesity-on-total-hip-arthroplasties-a-literature-review-of-the-associated-complications.html

[@amberj6760]

@Lathamhipsurgery Thank you, Doctor. I look forward to reading the article.

[@edsharp4575]

How about sharing with us the numbers so we can understand your assertions. Below a BMI of 40 what are the risks, complications and how long does surgery take. What about a BMI of > 50, same questions. As it is right now my opinion is that a person with a BMI of less than 40 doesn’t need surgery and isn’t in any significant pain. Whereas anyone with a BMI above is in a significant amount of pain and desperately needs surgery. Is there any mystery why the BMI>50 is depressed? If I were being cynical I might think that the insurance companies are using my insurance rate to write out bonuses to the BMI

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

Thank you for your comment. BMI >40 increases the risks of serious complications. In someone with BMI >50 I would recommend that they consider bariatric surgery before having a hip replacement.

[@ASMRPeople]

I've lost over 100 lbs yet my doctor still won't do my surgery. Of course he I'll have to find a new doctor now. He didn't care much for it when I said either schedule the surgery or write me a script for oxy. Because the only two viable options to me are get the surgery or become a drug addict.

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

Some centres have the facilities and support for high risk patients. It’s worth asking around to see if there is anywhere like this near you.

[@Eros13adios]

Pretty much I have female cousin that is stuck in this drug pain cycle for years,years. She's always high on those painkillers for her back and the surgeries they've done,are of no help-- so pretty much she's been in this predicament for so long.

[@gloriareid8222]

I have a BMI of over 35 and am finding really hard to lose weight. My lower leg over-the-counter past 2 weeks on the side that requires the hip replacement has become ridged and I am finding it really hard to walk and or bend my knee and foot on that side. I am becoming really worried that I am going to lose my leg. I don't know what to do. I have been told that there are no blood clots in my leg, and everything seems normal but was not given any direction as to what to do about it. I am so worrid

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

The stiffness is probably due to the arthritis. Losing weight is difficult when you are in pain and struggling to move. The only way to do it is to stop eating carbs, sugar and snacks. Have a look at my most recent video about this. Wishing you well.

[@darshnarach8889]

Im in a similar situation, i have been using the glucose goddess hacks to help me intermittent fast to loose weight. I've lots 10 kg since july... i'm trying to minimise processed food but still have some snacks ....and have mainly only drunk water for last 5 years.

[@kaedeford]

My mother is 68 years old and desperately needs a hip replacement but has been continuously turned down because of being slightly obese. She cant lose weight because of thyroid issues and her immobility. Her diet is healthy and low caloric. What should she do?

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

Weight loss is hard when you have poor mobility and are in pain. My advice would be for her to see a dietician and stick to a strict calorie controlled diet. It usually works but it needs determination.

[@darshnarach8889]

Look into glucose godess hacks and intermittent fastic... see if it appropriot for thyroid issues.

[@dondonner1095]

Thank you for this

[@lindaterrell9366]

With all due respect Dr., Personally I feel that yes, doing surgery on a larger size person will require extra work. However, you can not tell me that, all the possible risk (infections, more surgeries, pulmonary embolism etc) mentioned do not happen on skinny ppl as well. Smaller Ppl who have surgeries do have complications as well. It's at chance you take no matter what the size. I'm tired of hearing the discrimination against plus size person's. Either you can do the job or not. Period.

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

Thanks for your comment. It is undoubtedly the case that obesity increases the risks of surgery. I’m happy to take on fat patients but only if they understand the risks and consequences of their decision to proceed. Being underweight has increased risks of serious complications as well. All we can do as surgeons is to try our best and make sure that patients are fully informed of the risks and benefits of surgery.

[@phillipenriquez5318]

Dr. I'm at my Witts end, I need a hip badly, I WAS super morbidly obese, in 2016 I started counting calories and lost 250 lbs all by myself, I'm currently still counting calories but at 360 pounds I need to lose 70 pounds still, said a Dr at the Midwest Orthopedic Surgical Hospital. I'm healthy other wise for 60 year old, BP under control, non smoker, no diabetes what can I do? I was in so much pain the other day I almost called an ambulance.

[@arkleston3299]

I regret my hip replacement surgery. It resulted in permanent nerve damage in my lower leg. If I could go back in time I would not do it.

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

Sorry to hear that.

[@irenedavo3768]

I have questions

[@leemcdermott1770]

only that your a true pro Jeremy. have a great British bank hol 3 cheers for our queen.

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

Thanks Lee. It’s a great time to be alive and witness Her Majesty still giving her all for our country. Have a fabulous weekend!

[@leemcdermott1770]

37 thousand deaths in Europe due to infection whilst in hospital thats pritty daming

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

@@leemcdermott1770 I haven't seen that statistic Lee, but it doesn't surprise me. Many more people are going to hospital with advanced serious diseases that increase the risk of developing sepsis. The pandemic and the problems of getting access to timely healthcare are taking their toll. It's going to take years to recover from what has happened Lee.

[@irenedavo3768]

@@Lathamhipsurgery watch 8 videos of Jim Nduruchi Kenya 🇰🇪 do you think the Queen knows?

[@Lathamhipsurgery]

@@irenedavo3768 I don't know. Why don't you ask her?