Weight reduction before hip replacement.

Abstract

Weight reduction before surgery on obese patients has been widely recommended, but its practical possibilities have not been elucidated so far. Operation for osteoarthrosis of the hip was offered to 130 obese patients on the condition that they reduced their weight to normal. After a minimum observation period of 1 year the weight had returned to normal, and operation was performed, in 73%. Only 5% gave up losing weight. The weight reduction averaged 8.6 kg (1-25 kg). A weight reduction of up to 15 kg was achieved within less than year by eating less (94%) or changing the dietary habits (88%), and only 3% had to be admitted to hospital.