Help with weight loss after knee replacement please.

[beanstoastie]

Had a knee replacement at the end of January. Am still in pain and it still feels stiff. I have put on a stone since. I have joined a gym and do 10 mins on treadmill then 10 mins on exercise bike, the another go on treadmill. Can anyone give me some advice on anything else I can be doing. I need to get back to work at some point. I am approx 15 stone. Thank you.

I can't exercise due to disability (am often bed bound) and lost 5 stone by calorie counting and a bit of intermittent fasting to kick start me. So weight loss can be done without exercise. Have you worked out what calories you need to maintain and then reduced from there? I'm short so maintenance is 1300 and so I dropped ro 1000 when loosing. It was hard at first but then it became the norm. Ive kept the weight off by continuing to cc. Counting over a week has helped me so I never have a bad day and give up, I just reduce my calories for a few days.
Have you seen a physio, have they advised what exercise is good for strengthening your knee? Is some none weight baring advised? Eg swimming. When my dm had a hip replacement she was encouraged to do weight bearing exercise to build her muscles back up and non weight baring to encourage range of movement however somethings are best avoided so I would speak to your physio.

3 year ago this was me. I had a knee replacement and was nearly 16 stone and miserable. I invested in a years worth of weight loss injections and lost 5 stone. I’ve turned my life around. It’s not for everyone clearly but it’s worked for me.

Thank you for your replies. I'll keep going to gym and calorie count.

Are you still using ice/cold packs on your knee? This will keep swelling down and make it easier to do the exercises and then ice again afterwards. I used an icepack for up to a year.

Did you have/do physio exercises after your op? I’d be a bit worried it’s still so sore. Has your consultant discharged you completely?

Have you considered WLI to help you maintain a a calorie deficit? That’s the biggest thing when trying to lose weight, not the exercise.

It's still ridiculously painful and feels very stiff. Seeing consultant on Friday. Have been doing all exercises recommended by physio. It's not too bad once I get going. Ice packs make no difference. 🤷

I had a knee replacement at the end of April 2025 so I’m just over a year. I came on here trying to find ways of galvanising myself to lose weight I’ve got about 1-2 stone to lose

. It sounds like you’re doing well with the gym. I do about 10 mins on the bike, I struggle on the cross trainer, I do about 3 mins max. I do a leg riser and a bender, I don’t know what they’re called - it a metal roller and I push my legs up with the roller or down, bending at the knee. I’m working myself up to going on the treadmill.

See what your consultant says on Friday about your pain. I’ve been back to see mine as I still have some pain and swelling. I can walk fine and do walks of about an hour. My consultant thinks it’s because my knee was in a bad way before the knee replacement so its taking longer to heal and settle in

Perhaps you’re being hard on yourself. It’s a traumatic thing to go through a knee replacement. Maybe like me, you’re finding it’s hard enough doing physio exercises and the gym to work on strengthening my muscles to do a diet as well. I don’t know that I can’t apply myself until I’ve got my knee right and the pain eases. Eating healthily and try to eat less

Mounjaro?

Asked about mounjaro but I don't meet enough of the criteria for NHS, and can't afford to pay for it. I really just want this to be better so I can get back to work, ssp is low!!

What did you have to eat on a normal day?

You’re doing well already with treadmill and bike after a knee replacement. Keep it low impact and consistent. Weight loss will mostly come from diet alongside exercise. If pain and stiffness aren’t improving, check in with your physio. Recovery can take time, so go gently.