Question:
Is it true that 1 in 250 people will die??
I watched Al Roker on Dateline the other night and he said the statstics show that 1 in 250 people die as a result of the surgery! Is that true? I was really interested in having surgery, and now I am not so sure. Yes I am not living the greatest being overweight, but at least I am living! I have a two year old son, and the thought of me passing away because of a surgery that I am choosing to have really scares me, and he will grow up knowing that it was my own fault!!! — Mini Gadget (posted on April 17, 2003)
April 17, 2003
I'd love to know where they get that number, although he did say 1 in 200,
I think. Anyway, I'm sure it varies depending on the surgeon. Ask the one
you pick what his mortality rate is for WLS. Remember, too, that any
surgery is risky, even for people who aren't MO. If you had to have your
gallbladder out, would you think twice about it? Find the best surgeon you
can, find one you trust and go from there. We all take chances just by
being alive. Some are foolish, at least in my opinion, but others are
definitely worth it. WLS is one that is worth it, I think. Just check
your surgeon and the hospital carefully and then go for it.
— garw
April 17, 2003
Yes, you can die from this surgery. You can die from any surgery.
Honestly, if I had your BMI of 34.4, I would be 40 pounds lighter than I am
right now and I wouldn't even consider the surgery unless I had an
immediate life threatening co-morbidity. I don't mean to be negative, but
you are probably about 65 pounds overweight or so and you, more than
likely, would not meet the requirements for WLS since your BMI is <35
and you are not 100 pounds overweight.
If you did find a surgeon willing to perform the surgery, unless you have
very serious co-morbidities, I would question his motive.
I realize I'll probably get slammed by other posters, but the surgery is a
huge life altering event that must be taken seriously. Take your time and
do tons of research.
I also have a 2 year old and understand where your coming from. However, I
know that if I do not have the surgery, I probably won't live to see her
graduate from high school.
Good Luck.
— Carolyn M.
April 17, 2003
I think it is important to know your surgeon's experience with the surgery.
You have to ask the hard questions. My surgeon has not lost any patients as
a result of the procedure and never had to go back and cut a a patient back
open. He does the leak test when he's got you on the table so he doesn't
have to cut you again. Any surgery is a risk so of coarse my surgeon
informed me of all the risks. I felt better knowing HIS track record. Also,
I had no co-morbities pre-op. We all know it is only a matter of time
before your health goes down hill as a result of obesity. I'm glad I did
this BEFORE I developed serious health issues. Lord knows I was only going
to get bigger over time. I did not need to wait to get sick or any larger.
I feel healthy and young now. Life is good!
— Michelle H.
April 17, 2003
My surgeon had performed over 1,000 open RNY's and had lost 1 patient. And
I had virtually no co-morbidities. So, with that in mind and a surgeon
with a 0.1% mortality rate, I was comfortable. Global statistics don't
matter...the only ones that matter are your personal ones.
— Amy W.
April 17, 2003
Carolyn is right - unless you did the calculations wrong, it doesn't look
like you weigh enough to qualify for bariatric surgery unless, as Carolyn
stated, you have some significant co-morbidities.
That issue aside, I believe that the national average of mortality for this
surgery is between 0.5 and 2.0%. That means ON AVERAGE up to two of every
100 people who have this surgery die from complications of the surgery. All
surgeries carry an inherent risk, but add on the complication of morbid
obesity, and it puts us in a high risk surgical group before we ever enter
the OR. That being said, many practices have much lower mortality and
complication rates than the national average. First, I would determine if
you personally are even a candidate for the surgery; then, if so, I would
very thoroughly research the surgeon/program you are considering. This is a
HUGE life-altering event; for many of us, it goes off without a hitch. For
others, it's not so easy. And for some, it has disasterous consequences.
Personally, I have been very happy with my results and it was a good choice
for me. You are right - you need to consider all of the variables, then
after you've researched the surgery and your program, decide if this is the
right course of action for you at this time in your life. Best of luck to
you; let us know what you decide!
— johanniter
April 17, 2003
Yes, this surgery has a lot of risk. Most surgery has risk. I can tell
you as someone who had the surgery and had MANY complications, that four
months after surgery I would do it again. I did this for my three
children. I wanted to be able to spend my time playing with my children
instead of watching them from an easy chair. You need to have a heart to
heart talk with yourself...what are the risks for you? Also, don't let any
surgeon cut you open unless you have a BMI over 35 and have co-morbidities.
The complications are real and the surgery should only be done for the
right reasons.
— Jane S.
April 17, 2003
Death rates are for ALL people getting WLS. That inculdes the super morbids
of 1000 pounds and sad cases where folks cant walk anymore. YOUR chance of
death is individual to YOU. Lower BMIs are safer usually, walking right
after surgery helps diminish the chance of bloodclots a big killer. Barb
thomopsons site has a chart of risks and complications see the very bottom
of my profile, her boiok is awesome and taklks of this. Surgeons who
specialize in bariatric surgery tend to have better rates because the
specialize in the MOs. For YOUR accuratye risk you must ask your surgeon.
The risk is individual to you. Besides did you know car accidsents kill
400,000 every year? Yet we use them with little concern.
— bob-haller
April 17, 2003
The statistics can vary by doctor. My doctors statistics are closer to 1 in
1000 patients. Some doctors are the 1/250. Find a doctor that you like and
then look at the statistics he or she has. This may help calm your nerves.
— horserider0146
April 17, 2003
Consider your chances of disease, quality of life and survival if you do
not lose the weight, one way or another. WLS is not minor surgery, but, all
considered, the risks are low compared to the certainty of disease further
down the road. Go to someone who does nothing but this type of surgery, a
major hospital with a good JCHAO rating, and walk, walk, walk before and
after the surgery. The biggest risk is blood clots from immobility. This
goes for work and airplanes trips too. Get up and walk every hour or so.
People of all ages, and in all states of health can drop from an embolism -
to wit, that reporter in Iraq a couple of weeks ago...Just from sitting in
a vehicle for long hours.
— Suzanne M.
April 17, 2003
Yes. Choose your *SURGEON* carefully.
— msmaryk
April 17, 2003
Actually it is 1 in 200!
— Marcy G.
April 17, 2003
Bridget, besides all the advice below, I would also suggest you get any
co-morbids you may have under control prior to your surgery and that the
surgeon and all the hospital personnel taking care of you know about any
conditions you may have and that they have taken precautions on how to
handle any problems you may have. Try to be in the best health that you
can be in for your surgery. Best of luck for a safe and successful
surgery.
— Hackett
April 18, 2003
This is about the same risk for ANY surgery, including a C-section.
— jen41766
April 18, 2003
according to my surgon, you have the same risk of dying in a car accident
as you do from surgury. it's surgury. they are going to cut you open. there
are risks for any type of procedure.
— mellyhudel
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