If you’ve ever been told you’re “too overweight” or that your body mass index (BMI) is too high for knee surgery, you’re not alone, and it doesn’t’ mean you’ve run out of options. At Ortho Precision in Adelaide, we believe that no patient should be dismissed solely based on a number. Trusted orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Yas Edirisinghe, recognises that your weight doesn’t define your suitability for surgery. Your overall health, joint condition, and goals do.
We explain why individual assessments provides a fairer, more accurate approach to surgical decisions, and how we support patients of every size to achieve better outcomes.
You’re More Than a Number
At Ortho Precision in Adelaide, South Australia, Dr Yas Edirisinghe takes a patient-first, holistic approach. We understand that chronic joint pain can make exercise difficult, contributing to weight gain, and that surgery may actually be part of the solution.
We assess each patient based on joint imaging and mobility, muscle strength and physical activity level, full medical history and cardiovascular health, and personal goals and recovery expectations.
Being told you’re too overweight for knee surgery can be disheartening, but we’re here to offer a different perspective. In many cases, patients told elsewhere they were too overweight for knee surgery go on to have safe, successful joint replacements at Ortho Precision.
Surgical Risks: Let’s Talk Honestly
It’s true that a higher BMI may increase some risks during or after surgery, including infection or slower wound healing. However, these risks must be balanced against the risks of doing nothing, which can cause:
- Progressive joint deterioration
- Reduced physical activity
- Mental health challenges linked to immobility
- Greater reliance on pain medications
Our role is to educate, prepare, and support you, not reject you. In many cases, we can mitigate risk through preoperative medical optimisation, minimally invasive knee surgery techniques, personalised anaesthetic plans, and specialist post-operative support. With the right team and planning, even patients with a high BMI can safely undergo life-changing joint surgery.
Knee and Hip Surgery at Any Size: What to Expect
If you’ve been told your BMI rules you out for knee surgery, we strongly encourage seeking a second opinion. At Ortho Precision, we frequently care for patients who were previously turned away by other providers, often labelled “too high risk” or “too overweight” for knee surgery. But with the right team, planning, and support, many patients go on to experience transformative outcomes, including:
- Increased pain relief
- Improved mobility and independence
- Weight loss due to increased movement and reduced pain after surgery
We’ll Support You—Every Step of the Way
Being told you’re “too overweight” or that your “BMI is too high for knee surgery” can be discouraging, but Ortho Precision is here to help you move forward, not hold you back.
Sometimes, a short-term plan is needed to improve fitness or reduce weight before surgery, but it’s done with you, not to you. Our team can connect you with:
- Allied health support (like physiotherapy and dietetics)
- GP-coordinated weight management
- Personalised prehabilitation programs designed for your body
We never shame or dismiss our patients. Your concerns are valid, and your desire to regain function, relieve pain, and live more freely is always respected.
Our goal is not just to perform surgery, but to help you reclaim movement, independence, and joy in everyday life, no matter your size or BMI.
Take Control of Your Joint Health Today
If you've been told your BMI is too high for knee or hip surgery, don't settle for a one-size-fits-all method. At Ortho Precision in Adelaide, we believe in personalised care, not cut-offs.
Book a consultation with Dr Yas Edirisinghe at Ortho Precision today and find out how we can help you move forward at your size, on your terms.
Advanced, patient-centred technology for better outcomes.
Contact us via the contact page or chatbot available across our website and Dr Yas will respond promptly.