Obesity is a known risk factor for:

Heart Disease
Stroke
Cancer: Breast, uterine, Colon, and Kidney Cancer
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Sleep Apnea
Osteoarthritis

Obesity is associated with:

High cholesterol
Menstrual problems
Pregnancy complications
Increased surgical risk

Nearly two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight and 30.5% are obese according to the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Overweight and obesity are two separate states of being but may overlap. Overweight refers to an excess of body weight while obesity refers to haveing an abnormally high proportion of body fat. A bodybuilder can be overweight without being obese. In determining the proper weight range for a given height, reference to the 1959 or 1983 Metropolitan life insurance tables of desirable weight for height were used. The desirable weight-for-height guides were supposed to correlate with life expectancy. These weight tables are being phased out and the most commonly used method today is body mass index (BMI). BMI is the measurement of choice for most health professionals. BMI is based on height and weight. Unlike the life insurance tables, it is not gender-specific. BMI is determined by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. You can determine your BMI using the calculator on this website.

http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

To aid in control of your pain after surgery, you may be given a PCA (patient controlled analgesia) pump. A PCA is a method of pain medication delivery that is under the patient's control. A computerized machine is attached to a patient's intravenous (IV) line. In the machine is a syringe of pain medication that is attached to tubing which is connected directly to the IV line. The machine is set to give a basal rate - a continuous infusion of pain medication every hour. A demand dose is also programmed in which at a click of a button gives patients an additional dose of pain medication. The patient controls the button and can give him or herself pain medication when needed without relying on the nurse to administer it. The PCA pump has a lockout mechanism that prevents overdose. It is set to not give out more than a maximum dose per hour. Anyone older than the age of seven can use the PCA pump independently.

Sometimes people are afraid to give themselves pain medicine. They shouldn't be. If you had a big operation, you will need it. Keeping pain under control helps you with your overall recovery. It allows you to take deep breaths, participate in physical therapy and get a good night's rest. Remember, the lockout mechanism helps prevent accidental overdoses.