Compiled by
Theresa Jarosz Alberti
theresa.sapphire@gmail.com

Updated November 2025.  Click here for printable copy.

“A Tale of Advocacy: Two Knees and a Surgeon” — my own story about being denied knee replacement surgery, and how I fought to have both knees replaced.

 

Recommendations – Fat-Friendly Orthopedic Surgeons

Note: these are based either on my own experience (*) or recommendations by others (**).  Your mileage may vary; please do your own additional research. 

*Dr. Patrick Horst – Twin Cities, Minnesota (TRIA, Health Partners, Park Nicollet, U of Minn)

*Dr. Scott B. Marston – Twin Cities, Minnesota (Health Partners, Park Nicollet, U of Minn)

**Dr. Heather Bergeson – Twin Cities, Minnesota (TRIA, Health Partners, Park Nicollet)

**Dr. Eileen E. Eggenberger – Twin Cities, Minnesota (TRIA, Health Partners, Park Nicollet)

Also, check out this resource:  https://www.radicalhealthalliance.org/fatlibdirectory

 

12 Questions to Ask Your Doctor
“Being told you can’t have surgery because of your BMI? These questions will help you get the facts and challenge discriminatory denials.” Great resource by Dr. Asher Larmie, https://www.fatdoctor.co.uk:
12 Questions resource:  https://tinyurl.com/twelve-questions-resource

 

Websites and Online Articles:

“Obese Patients Don’t Need to Lose Weight Before Total Joint Replacement, Study Finds”:  https://tinyurl.com/obesity-knees

“Functional Gain and Pain Relief After Total Joint Replacement According to Obesity Status”:  https://tinyurl.com/ncbi-nim-nih-gov

“Is Obesity a Reason to Avoid Joint Replacement Surgery?”:  https://tinyurl.com/harvard-obesity-article

“Resources to Fight Joint Replacement Denials for Fat Patients”:  Blog post by the amazing Ragen Chastain, packed full of resources, articles, studies and experts on this topic. **A must-read for anyone dealing with this issue!** https://danceswithfat.org/2020/03/05/resources-to-fight-joint-replacement-denials-for-fat-patients