Question:
Dr. James Davidson of Dallas what is his mortality rate for RNY laprosxopic?
How can I find out, without asking him, what Dr. Davidson of Dallas Texas mortality rate is compared to the national mort rate for RNY laproscopic? — jec032 (posted on October 30, 2005)
October 30, 2005
When it comes to something as important as this surgery, you just need to
be up fron with this Doctor, and if he is a caring Doctor, he will not mind
answering your questions, no matter what the question is.
God Bless, Sherry
— Sherry Sonson
October 30, 2005
I agree with Sherri, I think that is something very important. I think that
the doctor should want to answer you questions. Even if the answer is not
what you want to hear. That way at least you have the opion of making
another selection as far as a doctor. Good luck to you,
Melissa
— kizie23
October 30, 2005
I agree with the 2 other people. I asked my surgeon and he was very
gracious about his answer. He didn't sugar coat it, but was very honest.
I appreciated his honesty and had more respect for him. Ask him. I think
they get asked all the time, especially with all the negativity out there
for this life saving surgery. Good luck.
Margie
— butlers4
October 30, 2005
Agreed Agreed, That was what I was going to say as soon as I seen your
post. It is your body hon and you have the right to know. Just come right
out and ask, and if he is offended or wont tell you then you need to find
another surgeon. A good surgeon will answer all of your questions with no
qualms. Good Luck
Your WLS sister
Jo Michalko
— Jo_Michalko
October 30, 2005
You should not hesitate to ask any question of your doctor. If he is
dedicated to what he is doing he will not have any problems answering any
question you might have. You are hiring him to preform a service and just
like buying a car you have questions, ask them. If he does not what to
answer them you need to find another doctor with your interests in mind.
— greno
October 30, 2005
It seems as if you are as concerned with your surgeon's mortality rate as
you are with mortality rates in general for RNY surgery. Unfortunately,
like so many of us who think about bariatric surgery, you have a high BMI
which increases the risk of surgical complications-- but, the general risks
of going under anesthesia are the same regardless of the type of procedure
you're having. So, you then have to balance the risks of the inevitable
surgeries that await the morbidly obese (heart procedures, knee
replacements and the like) with the true risks of surgical intervention in
your weight loss.
The morbidly obese have appreciably higher risks of all forms of cancers
than their lighter counterparts as well as much higher rates of heart
disease. Plus, the average lifespan for someone who is morbidly obese is
years shorter. Once again, in calculating your true risks from weight loss
surgery,compare the risks of not doing anything.
Secondly, you seem to have confused all the latest news reports that
purportedly discussed a recent study that showed an alleged high
"morbidity" rate (which is the rate of serious complications)
following weight loss surgeries. However, the study that was conducted was
an overview of Medicare, mostly older patients who were not in great health
to start (many of the younger patients had co-morbidities that had created
disablities). Furthermore, the study examined all bariatric surgical
methods.
What the study did find (and this was across all bariatric surgeries) was
that surgical experience is the most important factor for a patient's
surviving. The critical number is to find a surgeon who has performed at
least 100 of the procedures you are having-- your surgeon exceeds this
criteria.
Long-term studies prove that gastric bypass serves as an effective cure of
hypertension, type II diabetes and GERD (which, in turn, reduces the risks
of certain cancers). Long-term studies show that gastric bypass patients
can maintain lifelong health following surgery.
But, ultimately, the choice is yours--- you can check with your state's
physician licensing board to find out about your surgeon and can look at
your hospital's ratings on the Joint Commission on Accredidation of Health
Organizations (http://www.jcaho.org) . However, you also need to feel
comfortable enough with your surgeon to discuss this with him.
— SteveColarossi
October 30, 2005
I agree with everyone else. My Dr. holds a seminar for his new patients
and anyone considering this surgery. He gave the national average death
rate for the surgery. I asked first of all, what they died from, second
how many he had lost, and what they died from. He seemed very happy to
discuss this. Not only did he tell us how many he lost and why, but had
definite measures in place to minimize those risks. I didn't ask him then,
but will next time I meet with him, when he lost his last patient to see if
his measures made a difference. We think we would be embarrassed if
someone asked us, so hesitate to "embarrass" the doctor, but it
isn't an embarrassment for them, its just a fact of their chosen
profession. So, ask. If you think it's very high, check out other
doctors. It's your life and your decision, make it wisely.
— dinky
October 30, 2005
Actually, by law, he will disclose this to you. Unfortunately, he doesn't
have to tell you until the day you sign your consent form. Jen
— nojust1ce
October 30, 2005
RISK IS INDIVIDUAL TO YOU!...... Some surgeons do the higher risk higher
reward thousand pounders, while others take on just the easy cases, to keep
their numbers looking better. Besides his overall record, he should be
willing to give you a idea of your risks.
— bob-haller
October 31, 2005
You can go online, and find out almost anything you want to know. I went
to the hospital the surgery will be done. Or look him up by by name! You
can find out how much and what education they've had and where? Even their
class standing! Google is a good place to start. Oh,you can find out how
many and of what nature of surgeries have been done- at the hospital- I am
in Colorado so I went to Colorado hospitals and then in my area and so on.
Info is there for the finding....
— mtackett
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