Obesity is a complex health condition with far-reaching consequences, especially when it comes to surgery and long-term wellness. Whether you're preparing for a joint replacement, hernia repair, or bariatric surgery, managing weight beforehand can significantly improve outcomes and set the stage for lifelong health success.
How Obesity Impacts Surgery
Carrying excess weight places additional stress on nearly every system in the body and those effects are magnified in the operating room. Research consistently shows that obesity increases the risk of:
- Surgical complications such as infections, blood clots, and poor wound healing
- Harder recovery due to difficulty with mobility, which increases blood clot risk and wound complications
- Respiratory and cardiovascular strain during and after surgery
- Longer operations and increased time under anesthesia
- Greater likelihood of readmission or delayed healing
For orthopedic procedures, extra weight can put stress on joints and complicate recovery. The more weight you carry, the more load on the hips and knees, up to 7 times body weight of force on the joint. In gastrointestinal or abdominal surgeries, fat deposits can limit surgical visibility and increase the risk of complications. Even for planned weight-loss surgeries like bariatric procedures, reaching a pre-surgical weight goal can make the operation safer and more effective.
Why Pre-Surgical Weight Loss Matters
Losing even 5–10% of your body weight before surgery can significantly reduce your risk of complications and improve surgical outcomes. You might think losing weight is impossible because you have been overweight for a long time and feel overwhelmed because you don’t know where to start. Change is hard, but any small change to your eating and exercise habits can make a difference. Beyond the number on the scale, it’s also about a lifestyle that improves metabolic health, reduces inflammation, and optimizes your body’s ability to heal. Seek guidance from medical professionals to ensure you are losing weight in a safe way and have a support system along the way.
How Upgraid™ by Mend Can Help
Mend’s Upgraid platform is designed to support you at every stage of your health journey. From preparing for surgery to focusing on weight loss or simply working toward a healthier lifestyle, our programs provide guidance that goes beyond quick fixes and crash diets. We use evidence-based, sustainable strategies tailored to your individual needs and goals. Our team of Registered Dietitians, Nurses, Health Coaches, and Care Coordinators offer personalized support to help you feel stronger, move better, and achieve lasting results.
Our comprehensive programs* include:
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One-on-one support with a Registered Dietitian
Realistic, personalized plans to help you lose weight safely while ensuring adequate nutrition to support healing and immune function. -
Lifestyle support
From emotional eating to meal planning, we help you develop lasting habits that support weight maintenance long after surgery. The care team provides text support and scheduled check-ins to support weekly goals. -
Education and Empowerment
Tools and resources to help you understand how food, movement, sleep, and stress affect your overall health. -
Body Composition Tracking
A smart scale to track progress with your Upgraid Care Team, measuring weight, muscle mass, and body fat for an individualized approach.
Upgraid™ is a remote care program for patients with obesity, combining clinical nutrition, expert coaching, and real-time monitoring to support sustainable weight loss. Whether or not surgery is part of the journey, Upgraid turns the surgical moment into a powerful opportunity for long-term health change, giving patients the tools they need and providers the insights they want.
Transform your health with Upgraid™ by Mend →
*These programs are covered by most insurance companies. Mend Physician Services will assist you in determining eligibility and any costs associated with your participation in the program.
A Lifelong Investment in Your Health
Surgery may be the first step toward a healthier life, but long-term success depends on the habits you build now. Our goal is to help you not only prepare your body for a safe and successful procedure but also develop the confidence and skills to maintain a healthy lifestyle for years to come.
Your health journey is unique and so are your needs. Whether you’re preparing for surgery or simply working toward feeling your best, Upgraid™ by Mend offers guidance rooted in compassion, evidence, and care for the whole you. Begin today →
References
Galmiche R, Migaud H, Beaulé PE. Hip Anatomy and Biomechanics Relevant to Hip Replacement. 2020 Jul 1. In: Rivière C, Vendittoli PA, editors. Personalized Hip and Knee Joint Replacement [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2020. Chapter 2. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565771/ doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-24243-5_2
Madsen HJ, Gillette RA, Colborn KL, Henderson WG, Dyas AR, Bronsert MR, Lambert-Kerzner A, Meguid RA. The association between obesity and postoperative outcomes in a broad surgical population: A 7-year American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement analysis. Surgery. 2023 May;173(5):1213-1219. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2023.02.001. Epub 2023 Mar 3. PMID: 36872175.
