Dying during the first five years

Hi, I have read several posts about people dying during the first five years, I did this surgury to live longer not leave a son and husband, can anyone tell me if this is really the case. I am out almost four months and am starting to wonder can I get this reversed if this is the case

It is a well documented fact that 1-2% of persons that do the WLS surgery die. It is unfortunate and sad... What I do not know is whether those who died were healthy otherwise before surgery. In any case, I doubt there is ANY value in doing ANOTHER surgery to reverse your surgery. The lap can somewhat be reverserd. The RNY is extremely risky to reverse... Hope this helps... Neil www.gastricbypasstips.com

Unfortunately the 1-2% figure is for the first 30 days after surgery. New studies show some shockingly high figures for the first five years. Depending on age the 5 year mortality can be as high as 40%. But that is for over 65 years old on Medicare.

Does it say that the cause of death is a result of the RNY - or if they were over 65 to start with, maybe they were just old and all of the other things that were brought on by obesity got the better of them. I have no documentation, but I can't imagine that 40 % of 20-30 year olds who had surgery die within 5 years. JMHO Cathy

I've heard similar things, but nothing that states the whole truth. For example: if a person has been MO for many many years, then they're at a greater risk for an early death - PERIOD!!!! Many of us suffered from weight related health problems that were greatly improved with weight loss, but NOTHING can repair the damage we've already done to our body. We've just slowed (or stopped) the further decline in health. Personally, I now have a healthier life then I've EVER had as an adult!!! My QUALITY of life has improved 100 fold. I wouldn't trade that in (by way of revision) even if there was a low risk to a revision (which there is not, it's extrememly risky)!!! The decision to have wls was not a light one, not a cure all, and NOT the easy way out!!!! But for me - it was the right one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Laurie

I've researched this a lot, because of many of the same fears. I found a lot of good information on WebMD.com and the Mayo clinic online. They do not report a lot of people dying. In fact, there was a study published in 2003 or 2004 that indicated an extension of life expectancy of 3-4 years on average based upon a person with a BMI of 45 at age 40 having surgery. I'd recommend these sites for anyone doing research on the surgery. The one post I read today was from a member who suddenly became sick from appendicitis which I do not believe was related to her surgery. She became quite ill because the ER personnel were not familiar enough in dealing with WLS patients. I'm sorry, and I in no way mean to offend or flame, but I haven't seen studies or many posts indicating a trend of "a lot" of people dying five years out.

You are referring to an article that was published last month sponsored by an insurance industry, biased; the study group was also some biased for negative results. In that the participants were all Medicaid and Medicare recipients. Meaning, either they were of very poor health, totally disabled, or aged. Or both. As a group they also were not most likely to receive the most thorough follow up care. The highest mortality quoted was 50% over age 75 years of age dead after 1 year, well after age 75 how many 76 year olds are there, that is an accomplishment. My take is if that report were true than the doctors doing surgery would not be able to get insurance. They would be on death row as serial killers. They are moral responsible doctors. These statistics purport something totally unacceptable.

If you get the surgery reversed you have another major surgery and could die from complications of that. Anyone can die from any surgery your risk increases the older you are the higher your BMI. Heart disease, diabetes, and lots of other chronic comorbidities can increase a persons chance of expiring after a major surgery. You should have thought of this before you had surgery not after.

OMG I hope not - I'm 5 years out!! I know many post ops who are 3, 5, 10 or more years out. I even know a lady who had this surgery 27 years ago. She had the closest to what they call RNY now. Everyone I know is still doing fine. Why would you have this reversed? You are going to be happier and healthier than you were pre op. You need to read about real people who are living their lives much healthier than they were. I don't know where you got your statistics but I know so many post ops through local support groups and online and I've never heard anything about dying in the first 5 years higher for wls patients. I've heard just the opposite, many would have died of obesity complications without the surgery.