Docs answer on mortality

I'm wondering what some of your doctors said when you asked them their death rate during pre op consults. My doc kinda skirted around the issue but then said his is right in with the national average 1:200-300. He said there are so many extenuating cir****tances it is really hard to pinpoint. I'm not sure if this is an ok answer for me. I appreciate any input. God Bless You, Barb

From my point of view...not a good enough answer...My Dr when asked that question said. He personaly has had no deaths.. but one with complications after she was home for three days after surgery. but he did tell me what the rate was that he was aware of from other Drs. I was satisfied with that answer..btw...if you arent sure thats good answer for you then you have answered your own question *smile* TRUST YOUR GUT FEELINGS GOD BLESS Patty

Patty, Dr. Scarborough is my doctor, too, and I like the fact that he is totally up front when you ask him a question - doesn't talk down to you. I'm having my surgery on March 16th, and have complete confidence in him. I'm realizing that that's very important, as the day draws near! Barb in S. Ga

where are you having your surgery?..and good luck.I see him the 8th and Ill find out a date maybe...wish me luck... Patty and I have total confidence in him also !!!

That was my very first question to my surgeon. His answer to me was < 0.02%. None of his WLS patients have died as a result of his surgery. 3 of his WLS patients have died, but from other things. I think he was shocked when I asked him, but he did not have to fumble around for an answer. He was able to tell me exactly what I wanted to know, without much forethought. I liked his answer. Susan Lap RNY 12-1-04 285-225-155 (-60)

Ya know? I did not ask Dr. Burrowes that question. I did ask him how many surgeries he had performed. Silly me, huh! I did hear Dr. Duncan answer that question in a info. meeting of about 125 one evening. He said I have lost 2 patients having done about 1000 surgeries. That was about 2 years ago. Both were from leaks....one went home and did not get back to the hospital for help quick enough and I can't recall what he said about the other one. He did not hesitate, though at that moment the word "leak" stuck in my mind and it scared me. I think I didn't question Dr. B because as he explained the fobi pouch I felt more comfortable as the process of "wrapping" the intestine around the pouch cuts WAY down on the possibility of leaks. To be fair, I do know that a friend of mine from email (Dr. B's patient) did develop a leak in the hospital and had to go back in for repair. She was a revision patient though....and revision patients sometimes carry more risks. He also explained that to me as I was a revision as well. Hope this helps.

Hello: I am scheduled to have my surgery on March 7th with Dr. Macik. What is a revision patient? Would like to know so I can ask him that question on Tuesday when I go for my pre-op. Thanks Mary

Mary, a revision patient is someone who has had some sort of weight loss surgery in the past. I had one of the "pioneer" versions back in 1976 before they KNEW what they were doing! I near killed me. I was reconnected after 10.5 months. Another gal that I spoke of had stomach stapling a number of years ago as well and her staple line had broken down which is common with that particular approach. Those are the surgeries that are a little more involved and margin for complications are little greater, though I made out like a bandit! No problems whatsoever. Good luck. You're NOT a revision patient.