My doctor tells me if I have surgery to remove a disc from my spine that I’m at increased risk for problems afterward because I’m overweight. Just what kind of problems are we talking about?

There are mixed results from research today on this topic. Not all studies agree that obesity is automatically linked with problems after an operation. Some complications depend on the patient’s age. For example urinary tract problems are more common in older men with prostate problems.

Women who are obese who have diabetes and peripheral vascular disease are more likely to have a poor result. This can range from no change in function to death from heart attack. Wound infection, heart failure, and blood loss are just a few of the other possible problems.