Back after knee replacement surgery

gwingee
gwingee Posts: 9 Member
in Getting Started
I really want to lose 20 to 30 lbs but cant do vigorous exercise because I just had a total knee replacement and in the new year need to do the other one. I need to know what I should do to lose weight which will also help in recovering from the knee surgery, which is a *****

Replies

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,606 Member
    If necessary, weight loss can be accomplished entirely on the eating side of things, by limiting calories. One can count the calories, or limit calories eaten in some other way (reducing portions, drinking less soda, eating fewer treats, using lower-calorie substitutes (like nonfat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream), following a meal plan - whatever).

    One caution: I'd strongly, strongly suggest that you not try to lose weight during the acute phase of healing from your surgery. You'd need to ask your doctor about the timespan, but I would think 4-6 weeks at least. We need calories and nutrition in order to heal.

    During that acute healing phase, eating around maintenance calories, and getting really good nutrition would be a great goal. If - like many of us (including me) - your eating patterns have skewed toward less than optimum nutrition in the past, working on that during healing could be a plus. Protein, fats, micronutrients and fiber are all needed for best health, so best healing.

    I didn't stop losing after surgery (much more minor than knee replacement), and came to regret it. Fortunately, my body prioritized healing, but I got weak and fatigued, then it took multiple weeks to get back to normal strength/energy.

    Losing weight at a sensible rate before surgery, then after acute healing up until the next surgery, would be what I'd suggest.

    Best wishes!

  • gwingee
    gwingee Posts: 9 Member
    Thank you Ann.....I appreciate it
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,985 Member
    Yes, what Ann said. Such a major surgery needs a lot of energy for healing. Don't endanger that. It's quite possible you might even lose weight just eating at maintenance. When I broke my shoulder I did, quite rapidly at first. And hence I ate more because I knew my body needed it. Also, do physiotherapy to get the best possible outcome, and do your home exercises as prescribed every day. from a calorie point of view it probably doesn't add much, but if you get fit properly again you can exercise once you're fully healed
  • wm3796
    wm3796 Posts: 100 Member
    You could start now eating maintenance calories but shifting toward more high quality protein( increase this during times of sickness or healing) ,Whole Foods, including some fruits and lots of vegetables. Add in healthy fats and severely limit ultra processed foods. This would be a step in the right direction and also help your body with healing. You may already be doing all of this but just some thoughts.
  • gwingee
    gwingee Posts: 9 Member

    Thank you. I know I need more protein. I have to try hard to get enough for healing. I ride my recumbent bike 4 to 5 times a week and do PT 2 times a week. I need to do stretching also, sometimes my knee aches too much and I just ice and ride the bike.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,606 Member
    gwingee wrote: »
    Thank you. I know I need more protein. I have to try hard to get enough for healing. I ride my recumbent bike 4 to 5 times a week and do PT 2 times a week. I need to do stretching also, sometimes my knee aches too much and I just ice and ride the bike.

    In case you haven't seen it already, this thread might help you identify calorie-efficient sources of protein:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10247171/carbs-and-fats-are-cheap-heres-a-guide-to-getting-your-proteins-worth-fiber-also

    It helped me.

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