BMI

ruradazzle

Hello, just new to this !
My Doctor yesterday told me that my BMI has to be below 30 before I can be considered for a knee replacement ! I am not vastly overweight, just a bit heavy with sitting around so much. My BMI IS 34. I know the answer is diet and I will do this, anything to relieve some of my pain !
But am I the only one to think this is a bit rough ? My sister is a fitness fanatic and her BMI is over 30 too. I know being overweight is a contributary factor in the pain of OA but one leads to the other. What about the folks who are a lot overweight, does this mean they are to have a lifetime of pain ? Another cost cutting exercise obviously. Thanks for letting me rant !! Feel better now.

elainebadknee

Hi Ruradazzle

Yes frankly i think your doc is being too strict..I say this cos i have been battling with consultants being told im too young (42) and overweight which i am always going to be till the day i die, just that my condition has become restricted and therefore have extra weight as less exercise.....I only yesterday got told if i got my BMI down to 35, lost 15kilograms i will be considered for TKR and im over the moon that they are finally seeing sense.....
I refused to live a lifetime of pain my gp told me id likely wait till in my 60's and i couldnt live with that no way.....Anyway some sporting professionals have high BMI and they are fit so challenge your doc......
Go for it...Good luck...

Elainex

ruradazzle wrote:

Hello, just new to this !
My Doctor yesterday told me that my BMI has to be below 30 before I can be considered for a knee replacement ! I am not vastly overweight, just a bit heavy with sitting around so much. My BMI IS 34. I know the answer is diet and I will do this, anything to relieve some of my pain !
But am I the only one to think this is a bit rough ? My sister is a fitness fanatic and her BMI is over 30 too. I know being overweight is a contributary factor in the pain of OA but one leads to the other. What about the folks who are a lot overweight, does this mean they are to have a lifetime of pain ? Another cost cutting exercise obviously. Thanks for letting me rant !! Feel better now.

ruradazzle

Thanks for that, it makes me feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel. My family tell me I am too soft and should stand up for myself more --- but if you're not that way it is really hard. I did say to my doctor that if I was an Addict he would help me--- and I have been feeling really bad about that ever since, I will have to apologise next time I see him, I was upset at the time.
Good luck with the weight loss, I am sure you will do it as you have something to aim for, walking without pain must be a magical thing eh ?
Like you my weight has always and will be always a problem. I blame my genes or the fact I love my food, will have to superglue my lips together to get fast results !!

dorcas

Hi ruradazzle and welcome to the forum.

There seems to be such a variance in what rules are applied by different orthos when considering whether surgery is a viable option!

I'm seeing an ortho knee surgeon in April and will be curious to see if this BMI question comes up..... I don't know what mine is!

I don't have any wisdom to offer in relation to what you've been told about the need to reduce your BMI, but do hope that you can overcome this 'barrier' and have the much needed surgery.

good luck and let us know how you get on when you next speak to your doc.

Iris xxx

ps...Elaine. Good to hear you've had better news from your consultant!x

elainebadknee

Hi Ruradazzle

There is light at the end of the tunnel but in order to see that light unfortunately you have to push your way towards it, im afraid nobody seems to willing to be too forthcoming nowadays and as helpful as they should be....
I too am soft like you...at my appointment yesterday i was like a hen on a hot girdle, i couldnt settle in my seat in the waiting room, i was nervous as hell....I need a fair bit of prompting but when i get the bit between my teeth i surprise myself!!And yes if you do abuse your body unfortunately you get treatment sooner...Crazy wrold aint it but youre you and you only want treatment thats fair...
I will never be less than a size 18 me, maybe in my early 20's was a size 16 but it didnt last long....But ive found since starting my regime im now looking at calories on stuff when shopping and i havent had anything bad for weeks...My dad eats choc biscuits every day and he piles on huge portions such as half a quiche at a time, now i tell him not to put so much on my plate (if we're eating the same food) and i refuse trifles and crumbles.....Its a mindset thing, if you want something you will scarifice things and surpass yourself...If i can lose some weight anyone can...Honest....

Chin up and remember BMI is only a number, not what you have to be ideally....Oh and dont you dare apolgise to that doctor of yours, no need, like you say your sis is over 30 on BMI and is a fitness freak so there you go!

Elainex

ruradazzle wrote:

Thanks for that, it makes me feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel. My family tell me I am too soft and should stand up for myself more --- but if you're not that way it is really hard. I did say to my doctor that if I was an Addict he would help me--- and I have been feeling really bad about that ever since, I will have to apologise next time I see him, I was upset at the time.
Good luck with the weight loss, I am sure you will do it as you have something to aim for, walking without pain must be a magical thing eh ?
Like you my weight has always and will be always a problem. I blame my genes or the fact I love my food, will have to superglue my lips together to get fast results !!

elainebadknee

Hi Iris

Well i just think its information healthcare professionals tend to get on their high horse about...I mean if we could all be ideal then the world would be a great place eh...But life aint like that and if only some were a little more helpful with their advice/words then people wouldnt beat themselves up mentally so much on here.....
And like you say its all about barriers but if you try to break them down one by one instead of all at once its less daunting...

Let us know how you get on at your ortho app eh??

And yeah im happy......At last i can see light...

Elainex

dorcas wrote:

Hi ruradazzle and welcome to the forum.

There seems to be such a variance in what rules are applied by different orthos when considering whether surgery is a viable option!

I'm seeing an ortho knee surgeon in April and will be curious to see if this BMI question comes up..... I don't know what mine is!

I don't have any wisdom to offer in relation to what you've been told about the need to reduce your BMI, but do hope that you can overcome this 'barrier' and have the much needed surgery.

good luck and let us know how you get on when you next speak to your doc.

Iris xxx

ps...Elaine. Good to hear you've had better news from your consultant!x

ruradazzle

Ah thanks Elaine. I feel so much better already, I was proper down in the dumps thinking I was hard done to ! I have also battled with weight but am, at the moment, 3 stone lighter than I have been at my heaviest and take between a size 16 and 18 . To be told, basically, that I was too fat for an operation was like a punch in the stomach. I have lost so much weight in my lifetime I could make another person, and even that person would be fat !!
I have the knowledge and willpower so I will show that Doctor ! Just you watch out Doc !
Not really his fault though, I suppose he is just the whipping boy and just passing on present criteria for cost cutting.
Well back to the delicious salad leaves I am making for dinner YUM YUM !!!
Thanks for the advice

elainebadknee

Hi Ruradazzle

Well so you should feel better if youve already lost 3stone i think you doc saying that is a bit harsh.....I have noticed with my gp when she is running behind in her surgery she is a bit rash with her comments as in the past she has said things to me such as "people seem to want consultants to help them so much and not take any blame themselves" and when i went to see a dietitan she warned me off telling me it maybe wasnt a great idea if the outcome wasnt good and that i was being negative wanting to know off my present consultant how much weight loss is "reasonable" to qualify for TKR and when i eventually found out it wasnt the mountain i thought id have to climb (15kg and not what i imagined about 4 stone)...
Of course cost cutting is an element too and nearly everyone gets ciritsied about their lifestyle habits but sometimes it wrongly aimed at or too strict...You are what you are....
Okay ive blabbed lots so enjoy your salad leaves...Im having jaAnd for my sweet tooth this afternoon ive had a hot choc, options one, 40cals!!!

Elainex

ruradazzle wrote:

Ah thanks Elaine. I feel so much better already, I was proper down in the dumps thinking I was hard done to ! I have also battled with weight but am, at the moment, 3 stone lighter than I have been at my heaviest and take between a size 16 and 18 . To be told, basically, that I was too fat for an operation was like a punch in the stomach. I have lost so much weight in my lifetime I could make another person, and even that person would be fat !!
I have the knowledge and willpower so I will show that Doctor ! Just you watch out Doc !
Not really his fault though, I suppose he is just the whipping boy and just passing on present criteria for cost cutting.
Well back to the delicious salad leaves I am making for dinner YUM YUM !!!
Thanks for the advice

jilly

Hi , I had a hip and knee replaced 5 and 3 years ago. I am very overweight at least 5 stone. I have done really well , the doctor told me he would'nt not do a replacement because of weight if i was well in myself. I think they are looking to not do the replacements because of cut backs . When i was in hospital having them done i was not on my own with the weight problem there where more overweight than slim. Yes it is easier to get over the op if you are slim but how difficult is it to lose when you cant get about and exercise. I was in so much pain before i had the hip replaced i couldnt walk never mind exercise. So not all doctors are odsessed with the bmi . Good luck and i hope you can sort it .................jilly