Surgeon Recommendation? Scared stiff...Mortality Rate - Need advise

Hi all! I'm new to this site - Tonight's my first post - I am contemplating Gastric Bypass Lap vs. incision - I am 5'4" & 125 lbs overweight, no other health problems that I'm aware of - Question.... Why would some surgeons be against Lap? What are the benefits of having surgery via an incision? I want to move forward w/ this as I have thought seriously about it for over a yr - I chickened out last year - I decided to move forward w/ this recently and am now beginning to have 2nd thoughts again because I have 2 very small children (one disabled) and I am so very afraid to leave my little guys without a Mommy (if, God forbid, something went wrong) - I found some statistics today on WEBMD.com regarding the death rates of this surgery--it said 1/50 instead of the 1/200 like many surgeons state. Can anyone tell me any good articles online regarding this? This information has scared the begeebers out of myself & my family now - I had some support but have pretty much lost whatever little support I had after having read this article. Here is the article I found if u would like to read. http://my.webmd.com/content/article/95/103161.htm Finally.... Can someone tell me the BEST AND MOST EXPERIENCED surgeon in NYC or Westerchester area? I want to thank everyone beforehand for reading my post and answering my questions if you're able to ...... VERY Nervous in NY!

Hi Catherine, i totally understand how you are feeling. I am 2 weeks away from my surgery and i am getting a little nervous. I have 4 children and God forbid anything happend to me. But i know that if i do this then in the long run i will have more time with them and a better quality of life with them. As far as the numbers what i learned from my surgeon is that the death rate in NY is 1 in 50. The total for all over combined is 1 in 200. Most of the deaths occur post op and are caused by blood clots or pulmonary embolism. I am having my surgery with Dr.Sapala. He has been doing this for 25 years and has a great track record. He does the Sapala Wood micropouch. It is an open procedure but from my research on it it is worth it. He has done over 5,000 surgeries. He is def one of the most experienced i have found. He insists on putting in a filter to prevent the pulmonary embolism if you are at high risk for them. You can email me if you would like more info. The cori center website can help to www.weightlosssurgery.com Hope that helps and good luck on your journey.

Catherine, Hun congrats on taking the first steps and yes it is a very big choice to have this surgery but one that can change our lives forever.... I know my surgeon quoted the 1/200 not the 1/50 figure and if you have a choice I would chose the lap for sure. So much less pain and the recovery is faster. Hun if you are worried about leaving your children you have to take a look at the effect of being overweight, you could have problems with that also! Well that is a choice that ONLY YOU can make, take your time hun and when it is time you will know. ~hugs~ Look around and read up on all the surgeons in the area. I wish you all the best hun and post often to keep us posted or just to say hello. this board sure does help!!!! Take care Debra P 285/213/125??

Catherine, It is sooo normal to be nervous... Not to worry. I highly reccommend my surgeon. Dr. Marina Kurian. (she is awsome..)... she is the doc. that did Al Roker's surgery.... The entire practice is awesome too... check em out www.normoreobesity.com Good luck! Hugs Marla