Weight Loss Before Surgery - Joint Edition

Weight Loss Before Surgery Provides Critical Outcome Improvements

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One reason I chose to focus my primary care career on weight loss is the significant impact I can have on a patient life. I'm happy to help people fix problems with their health, but I want to spend the majority of my time helping people prevent chronic disease so they can enjoy life to the fullest into their final years.

Surgical Benefits of Weight Loss

One of the strongest modifiable risk factors in a surgical setting is patient weight. Patients with higher weight have a higher risk of co-morbidities, complications, difficulty coming out of anesthesia and poor surgical outcomes. Not to mention, recovery from surgery is typically easier when one does not carry extra fat tissue.

Faster Time To Surgery With Weight Loss

Orthopedic surgeons know, some of the patients who most need knee replacement surgeries are the very patients who can't have them. Why? Because many surgeons will not take the additional risks associated with higher BMI. Some surgeons require weight loss before surgery to a BMI of less than 40, but lately, there has been a trend for surgeons to require a BMI of 35 or less. This not only improves safety in the operating room, but it improves the durability of the replacement joint and minimizes the risk that the joint will have to be replaced during the patient's lifetime.

Improved weight --> Fewer Surgeries --> Improved Quality of Life.

At ShillMed, we quickly help patients lose weight to achieve the required surgical weight WHILE maintaining muscle mass and managing related chronic co-morbidities. We coordinate with primary care and specialists as needed and have a strong focus on helping patient make lasting changes. We specialize in helping patients who have tried unsuccessfully, in the past, to lose weight. If your patient has a medical need to lose weight or if they have lost hope, we are ready to help them find enduring success.

Losing weight often takes time, but our patients average 10-20 pounds per month (while maintaining muscle mass). So even if you've got 50-100+ pounds to lose before your surgery, we can get you to surgery fast. That makes for a better quality of life sooner!

Improved Knee Joint Surgery Outcomes With Weight Loss

Weight loss before joint surgery may seem overwhelming, but it can be done, and in many cases, it can be done quickly. Our patients typically lose 10-20 pounds per month while maintaining muscle mass, which is crucial for safer anesthesia recovery and fewer joint infections. Losing weight prior to surgery also reduces surgical risks, improves wound healing, and decreases the risk of blood clots, among many other benefits. Our comprehensive approach is personalized to each patient and may include medical-grade meal replacements, GLP-1 therapy, chronic medication optimization, and personalized nutrition and exercise plans.

To ensure safety during rapid weight loss, we monitor body composition (fat/muscle/water) at each visit, monitor labs, adjust medications, and provide nutrition training, all aimed to improve mobility, enhance rehabilitation, and increase post-operative satisfaction. Our cash-pay plans are flexible and affordable, with custom length plans available to suit individual patient needs.

I invite you to reach out with any questions or to discuss how we can collaborate to improve patient care. I am also available to meet one-on-one with any provider interested in learning more about our services. I look forward to working together to get your health back.