Question:
People Dieing
Why are people talking me and my family im going to die if I have WLS. How are people dieing? Do you all know anyone that died from WLS what was the cause? I think they did not do what the docters told them to do. Im I right? I'm trying to stay strong. — Ms-Pink (posted on April 12, 2006)
April 12, 2006
Of course people can die from weight loss surgery. Up until recently
statistics indicates that approx. 3% of people who had the surgery died
within 6 months. More recent statistics included medicare and medicade
patients and showed a mortality rate of around 5%.
However, before getting worked up by those numbers, you must look past them
for a moment. First, you are talking about folks who are generally not
very fit. Morbidly obese people tend to have co-morbidities. Things like
diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and so on. When
you factor in the Medicare and Medicaid patients, you are including a group
of people who are morbidly obese and chronically under treated for
co-morbidities.
So, all in all, the statistics are not that bad. You should ask your
particular surgeon what his or her particular statistics are. I asked
mine, and his was a .37%.
Good luck,
Chris
— CChappell
April 12, 2006
Yes, sometimes people do die - not necessarily because of the surgery but
because of complications. Morbidly obese people are already "high
risk" and because of this, surgeons who do predominantly WLS, are
going to have overall higher morbidity numbers than, say, an orthopedic
surgeon. I work for a self-insured company, in the insurance part, and I
know of two people that died after WLS. In both cases, it was a
complication that occured after the surgery, and did not result from the
surgery. In both cases, the same complication could have occured had they
had an appendectomy or other procedure. Ask your family what they think
the lifespan of a morbidly obese person is. Also, there are people who do
have a rough time - can't stop losing weight and develop other problems.
Everyone needs to be prepared to possibly have a complication; it's nothing
to be taken lightly.(That is why you have to do so much to even get to have
surgery!) But the vast majority of people who have WLS are like me - never
have a problem, so you don't hear about that!
— koogy
April 12, 2006
this is a very difficult question, but i think if u look at it this way.
Depending how large you are, and how many different issues, high sugars,
cholestroal, B/P etc, you ARE going to die. How ever, which would u rather
do. just wait to die, or start your new journey, and you set the rules.
Everytime you walk outside you could trip, hit your head and die, or drive
your car. You have not mentioned anything about your support group. I
suggest that you and your parents including children who can understand go
to the support meetings. Start now. They can help you a lot. Remeber you
are doing this for yourself, and no one else, including your family. That
is one of the first rules you learn at your support meeting. If you are
doing this for anyother reason, I would suggest you take a step back and
reconsider, because your surgery will not work for you
good luck
— Steve Cohen
April 12, 2006
MO takes a average 15 YEARS off our life expectancy:( WLS of cures or fixes
a lot of the co morbidities malking us healthier happier people. True some
die from not following doctors orders. Too much sitting around can lead to
blood clots and they can kill as one example. I suggest you find a local
support group and attend. meet others who had these same concerns before
surgery, and see them now. WLS has risks but for many remaining MO is more
dangerous...
— bob-haller
April 12, 2006
What is the mortality rate?
0.4% or one in two hundred and fifty (1 out of 250) patients have died
within the first thirty (30) days after the surgery from various causes.
The most common cause is pulmonary embolism, a blood clot which travels to
the lung. The second most common cause is a heart attack. For more
information go to the risks and benefits section.
— sxybrowneyes27
April 12, 2006
Hello and welcome! I asjed my surgeon the same thing: how many of your
patients have died? He said zero by the way. He said men have a higher
risk for dying as they tend to carry their weight up front in their
stomachs and that is VERY hard on the heart. People who pas away tend to
have VERY HIGH BMI"s and usually suffer from many other health issues.
I agree with your thought that folks are not doing what their doc is
telling them to do. WLS has ALOT of rules...you can't pop a handful of
fritos a month after surgery. I do not know anyone who has died....a gal
here in MN died a few months after WLS but she died of cancer. Stay strong
in your thinking and (here is a piece of unasked for advice) if you decide
to have surgery DO NOT feel afraid to tell those around you that you need
positive support. Period. End of discussion. It is critical to have
positive vibes around you. Good luck to you!!!!!
— Mrs. Crabapple
April 12, 2006
My surgeon said that the rate for people dying from this surgery is 1:200.
As of this date he has not had anyone die. He is very strict on what you
have to do before surgery to be prepared to lessen any complications. Maybe
that's why nobody has died yet. Thank God.
— nygiantsfan1969
April 12, 2006
I would imagine that the risk is just as risky as any surgery for people
who are overweight. Doesn't matter if you have this surgery or have your
tonsils taken out. Hope this helps.
— HubbysBrat
April 12, 2006
Sometimes people die because their doctors weren't very thorough with
pre-op testing, ie, testing for sleep apnea, etc. and because the doctors
didn't make provisions for the patient's co-morbids post op. Please make
sure that your co-morbids are well known to the surgeon as well as anyone
involved in your surgical care and that provisions are made for them in
case they cause a problem either during or after surgery.
— Hackett
April 13, 2006
Actually it depends on alot of factors. In our surgerical group TWO died.
They died because of previous health issues and one 'just because' -
unforsenable - these people did NOT die because they didnt do what the
doctors told them, they never left the hospital to start with. Any surgery
has a risk; it depends on the surgeon, and you and fate where you 'fall'.
Most likely you will NOT die; but you need to research and consider the
'what if's.'
— star .
April 13, 2006
HOw about how many people did have the surgery, did not die from this
surgery and how they are doing since this surgery. ARE the people who had
the surgerya higher % and are surviving helathy and fit at a much higer
marjin from the people who had some health threateneing complication and
did not make it after the surgery? These are the statistic you much
research and compare 1 vs the others and see on which side the scae is
tipping.
Good Luck
Dani
— Dani96
April 13, 2006
HOw about how many people did have the surgery, who did not die from this
surgery and how they are doing since this surgery. ARE the people who had
the surgerya higher % and are surviving helathy and fit at a much higer
marjin from the people who had some health threateneing complication and
did not make it after the surgery? These are the statistic you much
research and compare 1 vs the others and see on which side the scae is
tipping.
Good Luck
Dani
— Dani96
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