Question:
What are the specific risks of dying specifically from WLS?
I have two small children, ages 5 and 1, and am very concerned about dying as a result of WLS. I hear there is a significant risk. I don't know which risk is greater for me--continuing my obesity or having this surgery. I can't bear the thought of dying and leaving my two children without their mother. Any comments would be appreciated. — Dorothy G. (posted on August 18, 2003)
August 17, 2003
The mortality rate that I have seen posted most often for RNY WLS is 1 in
200 or 0.5% - that's what my surgeon quoted to me as well.
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The risk is far greater if you continue your morbid obesity. My children
are 11 years older than each of yours and I had the surgery last year
because I was afraid that I was not going to be around to see *them* grow
up...JR (open RNY 07/17/02 -13 pre-op plus -187 post-op equals -200
total!!!)
— John Rushton
August 17, 2003
The fatality risk is 1-2%. That is a 98-99% success rate. The biggest risk
are blood clots, but can be managed by walking after surgery and blood
thinners if necessary. There maybe other risks depending on comorbidities.
Now, The greater risk is to remain overweight. It causes SOOOO many other
problems that it is literally a matter of time before it catches up to you.
This surgery is not an easy way out and should be used only after you have
tried and failed at other means of weightloss. For those of us that have
tried and failed it is a godsend. I never could have lost what I have
without it. open RNY 11-11-02 down 150lbs
— dkinson
August 18, 2003
Hi Dorothy, I went through the same concerns before surgery. I have 5 kids.
I figured if I didn't have the surgery, I would be dead early anyway. While
the death rate is comparative to many other major surgeries (it is not
higher than most other surgeries), there are things you can do to lower
your chance of being that 1 in whatever today's number is. Pick a good
surgeon, follow recommendations and walk after surgery as directed. If you
can bring yourself to read the memorials page, you may relize as I did that
many had very high BMI's and that the majority did not die of the surgery.
Also look at comparasins of other surgery #'s, you will find that anytime
you get on an operating table you are at risk. The post surgical danger
that does seem to cause the most problem, are embolisms. You have probably
read it a dozen times on this website - after surgery when they tell you to
walk - do so! It keeps clots from forming. My best regards -
— M B.
August 18, 2003
Dorothy, my kids were 19 and 23 when I had surgery and I had the same
feelings! I think that is normal because you are a mom. I did a lot of
soul searching before I decided on surgery - and decided that the risk of
not having surgery greatly outweighed the risks associated with surgery. I
was 46 when I had surgery, and I didn't want to wait any longer and risk my
co-morbids becoming worse and increasing my risks. I really think what you
are going through is part of the emotional aspect of preparing your self
mentally for the surgery, and exploring all the "what ifs" in
your mind.
— koogy
August 18, 2003
Dorothy, I, too, had the same concerns. I am an rn and the more I
researched wls, the more I realized that the complication rate is no higher
than other surgeries. The same things can happen if you have your tonsils
out or something like that as far as infections and blood clots. Blood
clots are associated with ANY surgery. The only thing not associated with
any other surgeries is the complication of having a leak that is not caught
in time.
— Delores S.
August 18, 2003
I waited until my son was grown for this very reason. And I'm sorry I did.
I never could run or play with him or go to amusement parks or even get
down on the floor and play with him.
His quality of life was greatly diminished because of my weight. Now his
childhood is gone forever. Ask yourself what the quality of life your kids
will have if you DO NOT have the surgery.
— Margaret G.
August 18, 2003
I don't have a statistic, but one thing I've noticed that kills a lot of
WLS patients seems to be waiting too long to get the weight off. The
longer you wait, the more health problems you develop, the harder the
surgery and recovery are. Just MY 2cents.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 18, 2003
Dorothy,
My husband, Rodney, waited too long to have this surgery. He died 4 weeks
ago. He was 38 years old. He had spent 2 months in the hospital due to
complications from the open RNY procedure, but his autopsy showed nothing.
He simply died in his sleep. The pathologist told me that even though he
had lost almost 100 lbs. in those 2 months, he simply died from morbid
obesity, everything basically stopped like flipping a light switch. Please
know that this surgery can save lives, and does. Rodney's was a very
unique case and the surgery itself did not cause his death. Resulting
complications I am sure did not help his system, but I feel he waited too
long to make the decision. His body was just tired and worn out.
I am a widow at 37 years old. Never thought my life would take this path.
Rodney's thoughts were "I'll die one way or another, so I'd rather die
trying to get better".
Good luck, dear, and God Bless you and your family.
— Julie Y.
August 18, 2003
http://www.wlscenter.com/ResearchArticles/RisksOfSurgery.htm<P> Is
from barb thompson. She has that great WLS book. The big problems is blood
clots, so get up and get moving. BTW the original poster is a lightweight,
thats good. The death rate is or EVERYONE including those 7000 pounders who
cant walk.
— bob-haller
August 21, 2003
I was so worried about leaving my babies without a mom. I did finally
realize that the risk is higher if I didn't do something about my weight.
I did decided to get the lapband because of the risks. In just a few
months, I have lost 62 pounds. I can play on the floor with my babies, and
now I can outrun them!! I can't wait to see what life will be after I lose
the rest of my weight! It has been so worthwile! Don't wait too long!
— Sheryl W.
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