Are these rumors? Does anyone know if they are true?

  Some people that knew I was getting ready to have surgery in Topeka, came up to me and told me that they have heard of some people dying after having surgery in Topeka.  They gave me some details about a particular person, which I happened to know the family.   I emailed the family and they wouldn't confirm anything for me, but said they didn't want to talk to me about it, nor would they tell me which doctor she had.    I realize this could be rumors and each person has their own problems or complications.   This is now freaking my husband out and is afraid I might die if I have the surgery done.   My question is..... Does anyone know about this and are some of these rumors true?   I want to have my surgery right away, but am dealing with these fears.   I want to ease my husbands fears, because  I want to stay with Topeka and not go elsewhere and have to start all over again.   Thanks for anyones help in this matter.

Are you kidding?!

All surgery carries inherent risks, up to and including death.

<--------- had surgery almost 6 years ago in Topeka and still kickin'

I don't know what doctor / program you're referring to, but here is my experience in Topeka.  At one time, I heard that  there was one patient who died in Topeka.  I do not know the surgeon's name, but I was told that  the problem was an undiagnosed sleep apnea problem.  This is very second-hand information, but if you have questions about your surgeon, you should ask him/her directly.

I had surgery with Dr. Berntsen in Topeka.  I was a high risk patient, I believe, due to my high starting weight.  Dr. Berntsen was able to do my surgery (the DS) laparoscopically and I had no complications at all.  That was in October of 2008 and I'm doing great!  She is highly skilled. 

All surgeries have the risk of death.  The statistics are low for this surgery, but yes things sometimes happen.  My life had reached a point where I was willing to take the risk rather than continue to live the way that my life was and the way it was headed.  I truly believe that the surgery not only saved my life, but has given me back the quality of life that I had 30 years ago.

It's a decision that only you can make.

I have also heard that rumor. I don't know if there's any truth to it.  My mother and I went to a seminar in topeka for a certain bariatric group and we both came out with the same impression. We didn't think they were experienced enough to go cutting on my body.  But that was just our impression of them.  It may not even be the same group as what you are working with.  If you're really not sure about your surgeon, do some more research on them. Talk to some of the other patients that have had your surgeon and see what they have to say.  Go with your gut feeling.
Ginger

There is a very high learning curve with weight loss surgeries. Ask your particular surgeon what HIS outcomes have been. Ask him what his mortality rates are. Ask him how many surgeries exactly like yours he has preformed (over 300 total is good). Ask him what his complications typically are and at what rate. Ask him what his follow up procedures are.

You do need to know this is an invasive procedure. You do need to be your own health advocate. 

Hope everything is going well for you and I definetly hope these are rumors.

All these posts are pretty old, so I don't know what happened to everyone.  I had my surgery w/Dr Bernita Bernsten of Tallgrass in Topeka.  I am very pleased w/the results and the aftercare as well.  As I posted just a minute ago, I am 1 year out and have lost 116 lbs.  My primary care doctor made it a point to say that I should find a surgeon that is on the national lists of surgeons who meet the standard of excellence in their field.  Mine does as does most of the surgeons listed at Tallgrass in Topeka.

Wow...I haven't heard that rumor...I had a RNY there 6/1/2 years ago with Dr.  Steward from Tallgrass.  He has done my gallbladder, multiple EGD"s, multiple diagnosic laparscopies and now lives in Oklahoma.  Now I have Dr. Berntsen and she has taken out my appendix.  I have nothing bad to say.  The issues I have have nothing to do with their work.  I was RNY #160 and I would be first now that I know them. 

If you are hearing that people die, it may be not following directons.  I have one friend who had an emergency perforated ulcer (most likely caused by her smoking) and another friend who had emergency surgery due to her being anorexic in order to lose more weight.

Let us know what you learn but in my opinion they are the greatest.  I trust them totally!!