A new study has found that, on average, the BMI (Body Mass Index) of patients does not decrease following ankle reconstruction surgery.
The study examined the BMIs of 150 overweight or obese patients who had successful ankle fusion or replacements. Researchers found no significant change in BMI 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery as compared to pre-operative BMI.
Many overweight people blame their weight problem on their feet and ankles, sighting them as the reason they can’t exercise and work off the excess weight. This study shows that weight problems are most often not the result of unstable ankles and feet.
Dr. Silverman Comments:
It is of no surprise to me that following an ankle fusion or ankle replacement, people don’t lose weight. Every day patients tell me the weight they have gained is because their foot or ankle hurts and they can’t exercise. I tell them, their activity levels have very little to do with why they gained weight. Intake of food beyond what is required to sustain is what causes weight gain.
Having surgery so you can lose weight is often a bad idea. Behaviors are hardwired and take extensive planning and determination to correct. There are many ways to exercise that don’t require weight bearing that can keep activity levels up, but the best way to lose the weight is to eat the right foods.
I follow and recommend my patients start on a Paleo diet. The diet is simple—Don’t eat anything that is processed or fed something that was processed. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, some naturally raised meat or wild caught fish. Don’t eat grains, legumes, or animals fed grains and legumes. And of course you need to control sugar intake too.
Related Sources:
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