The investigators predict that giving patients paracetamol in the operative period will reduce their need for opioid pain reducers in the post operative setting.

This study is designed as a population-based prospective, double blind cohort study. A prospective cohort of patients admitted to laparoscopic gastric banding due to morbid obesity

STUDY GOALS

• To evaluate the morphine-sparing effect of paracetamol IV in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
• To identify potential ability of paracetamol IV to attenuate or relief postoperative pain in obesity patient undergoing bariatric surgery
• To determine effectiveness of paracetamol IV to reduce postoperative complication rate.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥18 years
• Patients admitted for laparoscopic gastric banding
• Elective surgery
• BMI > 40
• ASA (American Society Anesthesiologists perioperative risk stratification) class 1-2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients' refusal to participate in the study
• Patients unable to give an informed consent
• Pregnancy
• Emergent surgery
• Patient with known allergy to morphine or paracetamol
• Patient with hepatic failure (based on history or elevated liver enzymes).
• ASA class >2.