[LIS1562]

Okay...so I am awaiting a date for surgery and I've been through the emotional roller coaster of the decision-making process and I'm quite sure I want this surgery...BUT...my last hurdle is the quoted mortality rate of "1 in 200". This is really causing me to think hard about this surgery and causing my parents great concern and I'm wondering if anyone has any information they care to share with me. Thanks!

[fr1endly2]

Well for me what got me thru that worrisome issue
was knowing at my high weight of 310 lbs, I was at
an equally high risk of death from a stroke or heart attack.
SO i knew i had to fix this.
I know my surgeon has never "LOST" a patient and that
also calmed my nerves tons. SO do research that surgeon
and make sure his complication and death rate is low!!

GOOD LUCK!
(((HUG))))
and for me im no longer at risk for strokes and heart attacks
and im alive again with tons of energy. THIS has more been
like a rebirth for me!

This is how i looked at it pre op!

[DocSanae]

I just checked an article in JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) titled "Trends in Bariatric Surgical Procedures" published a year ago. The in-hospital mortality rate they quote is "ranges from 0.1% to 0.2%." That means 1 to 2 in 1000, not 200. Of course, the mortality rate after leaving the hospital is not included here. However, a jump from 1 in 1000 to 1 in 200 means 4 death to every 1 death in the hospital, which seems a bit too high to be realistic to me. If the post-op mortality after leaving the hospital is really that high, then part of the cause could be due from inadequate care at home, which means that post-op patients weren't prompt enough to seek medical attention whenever something came up.
If you trust your surgeon, and you follow his rules to a T, especially immediately post-op, then there shouldn't be much to be worried about.

((((((HUGS)))))

[pugmama]

this is a very serious decision to make... but for me, there was no other option. I was scared to the death thing too... but figured I had a better chance of dying it I DIDN't have the surgery. The surgery is just a tool... it will help save your life, IF YOU LET it. Good luck on whatever you decide. (((((((((((hug))))))))))))))

[xsmith95]

As with the others, the life or death issue didn't worry me. I was not doing the surgery for cosmetic reasons, I was doing it for my health. I HAD severe asthma, I couldn't go anywhere or do anything without having an inhaler with me at all times. I also had gallbladder surgery (which sounds minor). I was scared for my life at that point. All I could think was, if I am having these problems now, where am I going to be when I am 40. So for me, I didn't worry about the death rate.

This is a very serious surgery and I am glad to see you are doing plenty of research. I just hope the rates that are quoted don't scare you too much.

hugs,

[FemmeMode]

.....everyone say - this is an individual decision. Only you can make it for you......

With that aside....I also "heard/read" the 1 in 200 statistic...and questioned my Doctor point blank about it. And....he was very clear....had all sorts of graphs...charts, etc. (I think this is a HUGE question for everyone...b/c he was definitely prepared for my questions and concerns.)

He showed me that there are sooooo many different types of Obese people in all sorts of health conditions....and alll ages. SO...the ones that are very high risk are the obvious....over 400#, many comorbidities, and over 60 yrs.

While the "1" in 200 do not always have all three of these issues...they very often have more than one....and that is why/ what contributes to their death. Also...when these patients go in for RNY GB....it is often a last chance at living....and is worth the risk. Obviously....many make it....b/c we know many of them....but, their life is worth recording...and so they b/come the 1 in 200.

My physician also broke down the stats to what it would be if I had one....or two....or all three....big differences down the line. I just happen to not have any. He then followed all of this saying that he didn't want in any way to discourage me from havine the surgery.....that it was his belief that my future was "grim." (hated hearing it....scared me to death.....that word- grim. AH!) And furthermore....thought that I would have at least one, if not more comorbidities....w/in 5 yrs.

I already was having a lot of body breakdown....back...feet...knees. Edema....Sleep apnea....had to have emergency Gall Bladder surgery....etc. SO....with that - NUFF SAID!

I was only 36 when we talked to him....and and found the nearest surgeon...and began the process. Oh, btw....all of the above was not my surgeon but my primary care physician....he was very very concerned for my health!

Good Luck...and God Bless....I hope you will evaluate your life...and how you are not only feeling...but how you might feelin 5 years...and see if this is for you. It's not about beauty...it's about living. I didn't know how badly I was feeling....physically and emotionally....until I'd lost 100#'s....wow....I'm a different person!!!
This is an amazing journey....if you want to know anymore details...please feel free to PM or email me....also you can check out my blog...which started at the beginning of my process 8/05...then my surgery was 4/06...and I have all sorts of stuff on there.

Hope you'll stay connected here....We'd love to get to know you!!!