Question:
What is the precentage chance of death with an Lap RNY?

I am getting closer and closer to my surgery date. I'm now getting scared to death. I guess I'm so afraid because I have a lot of comorbidies at such a young age. Obviously the reason I'm having the surgery. I have hypertension and hypothyroidism & my sugar is boarder line. I'm afaid I will have complications right after or during the surgery due to my heath probems. I guess I just need some reassurance. Any one who has had some of these health problems can you tell me if you had any complications or not? Thanks!    — Allison T. (posted on March 14, 2002)

March 13, 2002
Hi, your another of Dr Schauers patients like me and my wife Jen. We all feel were going to die. Its normal. Read my profile theres lots about this in there. You know all those pain in the evErywhere tests he puts us thru? Thats so they know all our health problems and can better take care of us post op. Please attend support group meetings they really help! Yes unfortunately bad things can happen, but most likely you will end up like me, down 125 pounds and feeling WONDERFUL. I know how tough pre op is. I tell my friends now that IF I could of seen my future for 5 minutes as a post op I would of jumped up on the table with ENTHUSIAM, rather than shook out of fear and wanted to run out of the hospital. I was shocked to have survived, relaX YOU WILL BE FINE!
   — bob-haller

March 14, 2002
You know I put everything in God's hand. I had several people praying for me and I went into surgery with a good feeling. You cannot think about "what if" before going in. Rely on the experience your surgeon has. Let him know of your concerns up front. I can remember when I said good-bye to my husband, he told the nurses that they better take good care of me and then he turned to me and told me he loved me and I'd see him later. Keep good thoughts.
   — dolphins94

March 14, 2002
I am 22 years old and I am having the surgery April 22. I have type 2 diabetes, moderately high blood pressure, sleep apnea, acid reflux, and my thyroid is borderline. I am a bit nervous, but I know I have a good surgeon. Your surgeon wouldn't let you go through with this if they thought you had a high risk of having complications. Talk to your doctor, or your doctor's staff about how you are feeling and see if they have some advice for you. Or if you have access to one, talk to a counselor. I will pray for you. I wish you well.
   — Carol E.

March 14, 2002
Statistically, the mortality rate for WLS is 1%, which is a very small number. Remember that there are no surgeries that are without risk, and the fact that your existing comorbidities will only get worse over time is a certainty. I had Type II diabetes and severe hypertension (along with several other comorbidities) at the time of my lap RNY. The quality of my life had deteriorated rapidly over the previous five years, and I was destined to be in a wheelchair in a very short time. I am now two years post-op, at goal, and happier/healthier than I have been in many years. All of the symptoms related to my diabetes and hypertension disappeared within the first month of my surgery, and I was no longer dependent on taking a handful of medications everyday. It is very normal to be anxious before any surgery....I would be more concerned about you if you were NOT anxious :-) The "internal" surgery of the RNY is the same, whether the surgery is "open" or lap. However, in the hands of a qualified and experienced lap surgeon, the risks of post-op wound infection are less, post-op discomfort will be less, and you will be back on your feet and fully functional in a shorter period of time than with an "open" surgery. My daughter had her lap RNY when she was 26, and had an even easier surgical and post-op experience than her mother....youth can be a real advantage sometimes! Best wishes to you.
   — Diana T.