Really need an UNBIASED answer

So I told the gal at work today who I was looking into having for my surgeon since she went a GB last year (and yeah she looks awesome) and she freaked! She said "Oh please don't go with him he's had fatalities" Now one of the reasons I am going with DS is BECAUSE it has a really  low mortality rate. But her comment got me to thinking. Did anyone ask their doc what their mortality rate was before their surgery? How do I know what is an acceptable mortality rate realistically? I am not stupid and i do know that EVERY major surgery has tons of risks not the least of which is death but does anyone actually know anyone who has died because of complications from their DS?

Edited to make the title less abrasive
edited again to highlight the original reason for the post

There are not that many DS surgeons.  We (as a board) know pretty much the reputations of the surgeons that perform the DS.  Who are you looking at?

Who is your surgeon?

Yes, you can/should ask about mortality and complication rates.

We've had deaths and near-deaths of patients on this board.

Also, what exactly has caused you to believe that the DS has a lower mortality rate than gastric bypass?

No I didn't mean that DS had a lower mortality rate that GB... sorr y if that came off that way. I just meant over all DS has a really low mortality rate as compared to say,  the band. GB is also one of the surgeries I was seriously considering but I'm not too keen on body parts that used to go somewhere now going nowhere, especially digestive type body parts. It's probably all in my head from way too many horror movies but I can just see it rotting away in there with nothing to do.
i am just wondering I guess if aside from the "normal" risks (they give you that nifty pamphlet at the hospital telling you exactly what can happen including dieing) I should be wary of a surgeon who for example, has a mortality statistic of  2% and .3% of those are DS patients. (out of, say, 250 patients with DS surgery)

Huh?  The band has the lowest mortality rate.  Where are you getting this info from?

"I just meant over all DS has a really low mortality rate as compared to say,  the band." The statement was meant to be comparative not definitive. The "compared to say" meaning "for an example" So let me put the sentence this way. "I just meant over all DS has a really low mortality rate as compared, for an example, to the RNY"
Just one of the sources I have been reading states "Open duodenal switch procedures have a lower national mortality rate (.76 percent or 7.6 patients per 1000) compared to laparoscopic procedures (12 per 1000). " http://www.lourdesnet.org/services/duodenal.php
Yes, I do understand it is an online source and people can and often do say anything on the net so yes. I will be researching as well at my public library and asking a thousand questions at the informational meeting as well as the support group meeting in May.

Your statement is still incorrect. I suspect you are conflating the terms "morbidity" and "mortality." The former is complications, the latter is dying.

i was looking at going with Dr. Calvin Selwyn here in Stevens Point, WI since 1.) he does the DS and 2.) he is right across the street not 45 minutes away one way (I do not have a car)

I do not believe he is a vetted DS surgeon.  As far as I know there is not a DS surgeon in Wisconsin.  There ARE a lot of bait and DON'T switch surgeons all around.

Here's a list of vetted DS surgeons - http://www.dsfacts.com/North-American-Duodenal-Switch-Surgeo ns.html

Selwyn is the new kid on the block and I don't KNOW what his numbers are.   I don't know who does. 

Now...as I said...I don't know if he's any good at this or not.  We are not likely to be impressed with how close he is as a factor...most DSers traveled out of state or even out of the country.

HOWEVER...one if the things that goes into the surgeon's mortality is is death from ANY cause withing 30 days of surgery.  So, factor that in, too.

Would I go to Selwyn?  No.  I *REALLY, REALLY* like experience.  Is it dangerous to go to him?  I dunno.  We have a couple of people here who have had surgery with him but not enough to get the big picture.