New research shows that improving diet, exercise, and weight before surgery can reduce risks and speed up recovery.
Surgery has become safer over the years, but complications like infections, blood clots, and slow healing remain a concern—especially for overweight patients. A new study suggests that making healthy lifestyle changes before an operation can significantly lower these risks.
Lifestyle Program Helps Patients Prepare for Surgery
Researchers at the Hospital of Special Surgery (HSS) in New York studied 54 patients with severe obesity (average BMI of 43.2) who were preparing for elective orthopedic surgery. The participants followed a 13-week lifestyle program that included better nutrition, regular exercise, stress management, and quitting smoking.
By the end of the program, 96% of patients had improved their health, and 78% lost weight, with an average drop of 11 pounds. Most patients who had scheduled surgeries successfully underwent their procedures with fewer complications.
Why Weight Loss Before Surgery Matters
Obesity increases surgical risks in several ways, including higher chances of infection, blood clots, and slower recovery. Dr. Daniel Wiznia, an orthopedic surgeon at Yale, explains that excess weight makes surgery more difficult and healing harder.
Personalized Support Made the Difference
The program’s success came from tailored coaching, including dietitian consultations, physical therapy, and regular check-ins. Dr. Heidi Prather, the study’s lead author, says this approach could be widely adopted to improve surgical outcomes.
Next Steps: Tracking Recovery After Surgery
The next phase of research will examine how these lifestyle changes affect recovery in the first 90 days after surgery—when complications most often occur. The goal is to help patients not only survive surgery but thrive afterward.
Final Takeaway
If you’re planning surgery, making healthy changes now—like eating better, moving more, and losing weight—could lead to a safer procedure and faster recovery.
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