I’ve been refused treatment by two orthopedic surgeons. I need a new hip joint but they say I’m too overweight. I need to lose 100 pounds first. I’ve always been told I’m “big boned.” Do they take that into account?

Most doctors are using body mass index (BMI) to decide if/when a patient is at increased risk from obesity. The BMI corrects the weight of the patient for their height.

BMI is calculated from the weight divided by the square of the height. A score of 20 to 24 kg/m² is the ideal weight. From 25 to 29.9 kg/m² is considered overweight. Obese is listed as 30 to 39.9 kg/m². Anything 40 kg/m² or more is morbidly obese. Morbid means “dangerous” or life threatening.

Most likely if you fall into the last two groups your risk of complications or problems is much greater during or after surgery. Since the doctors have suggested a 100-pound weight loss it’s likely you are in one of these two categories.