Question:
what is the percentage of people who don't survive due to wls
Does a ralative healthy person have a good chance of surviving this surgery. My major concern is not waking up. — [Anonymous] (posted on November 15, 2000)
November 15, 2000
I am having this surgery in two weeks and I am very concerned about this
issue also. Why are the statistics so different with each answer? Is
there not factual numbers on this? Hey, doctors, give us an answer! I
have heard the surgery mortality rate is comparable to an appendectomy.
Does being super morbidly obese contribute to the survival rate? In other
words, does the more you weigh increase your odds of NOT surviving? Please
some reassurance so we can have this surgery with peace of mind. Thanks
— [Anonymous]
November 15, 2000
The mortality rate for this surgery is waaay lower than one would
expect, considering all the co-morbidities involved with each patient. It's
like less than 1% and I think the dangers are even less than appendectomy
as you don't have the 'burst appendix' factor to deal with.
Relax, and look forward to a wonderful experience. It was my thought
going in that "I could die crossing the street, this is waaay
safer". LOL
— Lacy G.
November 15, 2000
Thank You so much for posting this today I will
have the surgery 11/28/00 and just had my pre-op
today and scared to death of being put to sleep.
the discussion did help again thanks..
— Tamaria W.
November 15, 2000
I had my consultaion with my surgeon on Tuesday...he has been doing WLS
since 1984 and has never lost a patient...He told me that because of
certain things obese people have more complications when it comes to
surgery but...he said it is no more of a risk than galbladder surgery or an
appendectomy. Or a hysterectomy for that matter...Im feeling better about
surgery after knowing that. Hundreds of people have those surgeries
everyday...heck that covers half my family...LOL and they are still here
thank goodness!!!
— Tracy L.
November 15, 2000
That question of my Doctor and he has been in practice for quite a few
years & never had a death yet and has had very rare complications. My
Doctor is extremely cautious in pre-op testing thus reducing any risks of
complications.Ask questions of nurses & fellow Doctors in the area
where he practices ie: have they heard of him, what do they think of him
etc. that's what my wife & I did plus we attend the support group
meetings eveyone there had nothing but positive feedback this helps calm
the fears.
— Thomas L.
November 15, 2000
As I understand it, the risk of dying from/during WLS surgery is less than
1%. While ALL invasive procedures (up to and including having your teeth
cleaned at the dentist) have risks associated with them, it's a matter of
degree. Personally, I figured the less-than-1% chance of dying from the
surgery beat the probably-100% chance of dying from the co-morbidities of
my obesity by a mile. Although I had some co-morbs (mild Type II diabetes,
moderate sleep apnea, mild high blood pressure, arthritis, etc.), I also
had a family history of heart disease and stroke, which didn't bode too
well for the future. At the time of my surgery last April, except for
weighing 343 pounds, I was relatively healthy, and I had no problems. It
seems like those that die from WLS either do so from an unforeseen
complication (like a blood clot or septic infection), or because they had
serious health issues prior to surgery. I know it's scary (if you WANTED
to be cut open, I'd be a lot more worried about you), but it's a very small
risk -- a risk that is miniscule compared to the consequences of rampant
long-term obesity. Good luck and warm thoughts whatever you choose,
— Cheryl Denomy
November 16, 2000
It seems that everyone has a different answer to this question, but that is
probably because every surgeon is different. Some surgeons do a lot of
testing to "weed out" the high-risk patients. Others are willing
and able to operate on high-risk and super-obese patients. Those things
will have a big impact on their rate of complication and death. Also, the
staff who take care of you after surgery can have a big impact. I have
seen folks online talk about being mis-treated or neglected by hospital
staff after their surgery. It seems that most of the possible
complications happen after the surgery is over. The chances that you will
not wake up from surgery are extremely slim. My surgeon said the death
rate in his group practice is half a percent (one in 200 patients), and
most deaths are from blood clots, pneumonia, or infection, which all happen
in the days following surgery.
— Lynn K.
November 16, 2000
Your concerns are valid, and it will be to your advantage to be as informed
as possible about your own personal health history, your surgeon, and WLS
procedures. The estimates I have heard are between .8 and 2.2%. The way I
figured it, the percentage of dying from diabetes, high blood pressure and
sleep apnea were MUCH higher than dying from WLS. Maybe not now, maybe not
in a year, but eventually it would catch up to me. I am 6 months post-op
and down 91 pounds. I am feeling (and looking) wonderful. I have no
regrets whatsoever, and I know it saved my life. Good luck with your
decision:)
— Paula G.
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