Question:
Are the odds that high that I\'m going to die?
As I get closer to finalizing the details of my surgery, I\'ve been browsing a lot through this site, getting lots of wonderful information, and seeing all the insightful questions and answers everyone is giving. I looked through the database, but couldn\'t find an answer to this. My question, basically, is that when I was reading through some of the posts, I saw a person who was scared of the surgery and someone replied back that 90% of the people live through the surgery. That is telling me that out of every 10 people who lie on the operating table, only 9 will ever wake up. It\'s telling me that I have a one in 10 chance of dying. Ever since I\'ve started attempting to get this surgery (7 years ago at age 14) I have always had the \"If I die, I die\" attitude, without much fear (that I always knew it would grow as the surgery date approached), however 1 in 10 is bad enough odds to even frighten me to death. It seems that this number is off, and I just wanted confirmation or denial of that # from anyone who would know, I thought the odds would be more like 1 in 300 people die... — joshbowski (posted on December 23, 2001)
December 23, 2001
Joshua: I know what you\'re going through. I went through that about 2
weeks ago. I\'m 11 days post-op. I\'m doing wonderful. It actually
scares me to think that I was thinking, \"I could die from doing this.
At least if I didn\'t have the surgery, I\'d be fat but I\'d be
alive.\" I\'m 23 years old and I think that being young has totally
helped with my recovery. I was walking about 2 hours after surgery. I
also went in with a positive attitude. I told myself that I was NOT going
to die on that operating table. I had the utmost trust in my doctor(s). I
decided that it was up to me to make sure that I woke up and I did and I\'m
11 days out and 25 lbs. down. Don\'t be afraid. Hope this helps!
— tmrivas
December 23, 2001
You know, since I\'ve been approved for surgery I totally freaked out. All
the what if\'s started running through my mind. But the fact of the matter
is that being morbidly obese is going to kill us, too. It may take a few
more years, but it will catch up. I have never been able to keep the weight
off, and I figure- how long do I wait? I am only 22 as well, but should I
wait until I have heart disease, diabetes, joints in need of operation,
etc.? I figure that because we are young we have a much better chance of
getting through the surgery ok, and probably less recovery time. I may be
risking my life with surgery, but I am also risking it staying at the
weight I am. And I hope that in doing this now, I won\'t have any lasting
repercussions from the weight I\'ve been carrying all my life. You can
email me if you wanna talk about anything- I am scared to death, too. But I
am also scared to stay the way I am.
— Jennifer Y.
December 23, 2001
You are definitely not alone in this fear, and I have done a lot of
research on this subject. The death rate is closer to 1%, not 10%, and it
is about the same for all surgeries, including having your appendix or
gallbladder out. My surgeon, Dr. Barry Haicken in Largo, FL goes over not
only the national rates for complications, but his own, and he has done 75
of these surgeries, and has lost only one patient, and it was because of a
problem they had before the surgery. He has had no heart attacks and no
strokes. Most of the other complications are fairly minor and can be
detected and fixed fairly easily. Also, if you read the WLS memorial page,
you will see that some died AWAITING surgery, or much after from unrelated
causes, or because they were in very poor health or extremely high BMI\'s
which is always a higher risk. I am awaiting my ins approval, and I
believe this is the only answer for me. I dont want to live the rest of my
life, whether it be 20 years or 20 minutes, this heavy. At least this way,
I know I am trying to do something about it. Merry Christmas! Donna
— donnalawbabe
December 23, 2001
From what I understand, the odds are .01 chance of dying. It is very
miniscule. If you look at the numbers of members on this site and compare
to the numbers on the memorial page, it should give you a rough estimate.
Of course that is no exact science because every WLS patient is not a
member of this board, nor are all deaths on this board, but should give you
an idea of how little the chances are of you dying with this surgery. Like
everyone else says, you have a better chance of dying being MO than having
this surgery. It is perfectly normal to be scared, this is a serious step,
but you are doing something positive for your LIFE, to make it better,
higher quality. I am 6 wks. post-op, down 36 lbs. and already feel
fantastic. I have 2 children that I had to think about as I went in to
this surgery, it was scary. But through my faith and prayer, I had so much
peace the day of the surgery that I am thankful. This is the best thing
that I have ever done for myself. You will feel the same way too. Good
luck and God bless.
— Cheri M.
December 23, 2001
I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN I WORRY ABOUT IT MY DATE FOR SURGERY IS GETTING CLOSER
TRUST ME BUT I KNOW I NEED TO GET IT DONE THE DOCTOR I AM GOING TO HAVE TO
DO IT IS A VERY GOOD ONE AND I JUST PRAY GOD WILL KEEP HIS HAND ON THE
DOCTOR AND ON ME I HAVE PRAYED ABOUT IT AND I ASK GOD TO HELP ME GET THUR
WITH IT AND LIVE FOR ME AND MY HUSBAND I LOVE HIM SO VERY MUCH AND I KNOW
HE LOVES ME HE LOVES ME BIG OR LITTLE BUT I WANT TO BE HEALTH SO AS THE NEW
YEAR GET CLOSE I AM GOING IN FOR THE SURGERY GOD WILL GOD BLESS YOU AND
JUST PRAY ABOUT IT THAT IS ALL I CAN SAY HAVE GOD WITH YOU ALL THE WAY BYE
FOR NOW
— [Anonymous]
December 23, 2001
from the research ive done ive found over n over statisics say that 1 in
200 dont make it through surgery.its a scarey thought but so is dying from
co morbidities.keep your head up.
— TRULUV2329
December 23, 2001
since i have a pace maker and hypertension, my husband was very concerened.
The surgeon explained it like this, \"I\'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT CAN\'T
HAPPEN , BUT ITS ABOUT AS LIKELY TO HAPPEN AS BILL CLINTON BECOMING
CELEBATE\" He was right, I\'m still here.!!!!! I know its serious
and we all worry or are very concerned about that, i was, but you can get
hit by a car tomorrow. Check out all your medical problems and consider
your losses. I\'m feeling better every day since surgery. I\'m so glad i
did it. jacki
— Jackiis
December 23, 2001
Joshua,
Just wanted to let you know, I know a 50 something yo women on oxygen,
lasix, diabetes meds, BP meds etc. She had her surgery the last week in
October and is doing great. Her doctors think she would have been dead
inside a year if she hadn\'t had this surgery. She is now off everything
except one BP pill and expects them to take her off of it at her next
visit. I am only 3 days pre op and worry too, but If Ms. Curtis can get
through it, I can and you can. the national rate is .01 or 1% but it jumps
to 10% dying from morbid or malignant obesity. Be at peace no matter what
your dicision. Please keep me in your thoughts on 12/27. Thanks, PH
— Paula H.
December 23, 2001
Hi Joshua! The mortality rate for WLS is less than 1%. HOWEVER, please
ASK your surgeon what his/her rates are. My surgeon has done thousands of
surgeries and has lost ONE patient. Good luck to you!
— careywatkins
December 24, 2001
Josh,by the numbers you have a greater risk of death driving to the
hospital than the surgery itself. Amost every activity we do has a risk of
death associated with it. One in three people will be involved in an
alcohol related accident sometime in their life, thats 33%, so dont get too
wrapped around the axle regarding the risk factor. Remember you are 7 times
more likely to die prematurely from obesity so balanced against that its
not much risk at all. I 4 weeks post, down almost 40 lbs. and never had any
pain. Best of luck! Greg
— Greg S.
December 24, 2001
I thought it was 1 in 200? If so than it would be \"half of one
percent\" which I think are pretty good odds that you will be just
fine. Funny, I never worried about dying during the surgery. I\'ve had so
many more dangerous surgeries in the past that I worried about and I almost
did die during one of those. The WLS did\'nt scare me at all. I was, of
course, scared but that was because (as a vetren of surgery) I knew there
was going to be alot of pain, nausua and all that. And that did scare me,
but being afraid of dying in the surgery did not. In fact, if we did die on
the table we would\'nt know it so it would be an easy way to go. But try
not to worry about it. If you can do alittle walking before the surgery to
build up your strength then that would help. If you know there is no other
way you can lose the weight, then know you are probally doing the right
thing and leave it in the hands of God. You will ALMOST CERTAINLY NOT die
during the surgery. But do know, that none of us are guaranteed a single
breath or any certain amount of time in this life. We do the best we can
and hope that God will see us through. :)
— Danmark
December 24, 2001
Joshua- The mortality rate is 0.05% which is about the same as with any
other surgery. Of course, there are always more risks with operating on an
obese patient, but the fear of co-morbidities, I feel myself, are worse. I
would try to be in the best shape you can be before surgery. That will
help some. And these surgeons know what they\'re doing! Just have faith
in God!
Congrats and good luck!
— [Anonymous]
December 24, 2001
hey josh. u know the first rule of a successful surgery & recovery?
POSITIVE THINKING!!! the mind really does control the body hun. be educated
& know the statistics...but know too that anybody can die from any
surgery! a celebrated journalist just died the other day after having hip
replacement surgery. think positive & upbeat thoughts. plan what u will
do after ur new birthday with ur new life. think good thoughts & good
things will happen. good luck!
— sheryl titone
December 25, 2001
Hi Josh. My question was the one the person posted the answer that 90%
survive. That is so off the wall. Call your doctor and discuss your fears
with him/her. I am having surgery 1/17 and like you am very apprehensive. I
have a 2-year-child who means more than life to me. But I am keeping
positive. Journal things you want to do after you lose weight. Stay
positive and focused on the good care you will take of yourself afterwards.
The fear isn\'t gone for me but I can manage it...most of the time. Good
luck.
— Janice P.
December 25, 2001
Dont be afraid to ask YOUR SURGEON this question... How many have you done
total and how many have died? My surgeon is over 700 total done with 3
deaths. He operates on high risk patients like the 1,100 pound person, and
revisions, people travel from many states away to get him to do their case
where other surgeons refused to perform surgery on them. This affects the
death rate. Then you MUST do your part! Getting exercise before and after
surgery, following the program, all minimize your risks. Most die from
blood clots, so get up and get moving right after surgery!
— bob-haller
December 25, 2001
This is for Bob. \"Yes it is good to ask the surgeon.\" However
if he/she is a bad surgeon, then don\'t expect he is going to admit it!
It\'s best to find others on this web site who have had this surgeon. I
wish I had had the internet back in 1993, maybe I would\'nt have gotten
such a butcher for a surgeon I had then (NOT WLS). This site is a wonderful
place to find people who had surgeries with whoever it is we finally chose.
Don\'t expect a surgeon to tell the truth. I almost died in that surgery
(not WLS) in \'93. This guy could lie with a smile on his face. He had
absolutely the BEST personality and could immediatly put you to ease. I\'ll
never trust another one to tell me the truth again. I\'ll trust HIS/HER
patients from now on!
— Danmark
December 27, 2001
Hi. I was very concerned about dying while in surgery, but because I have
such a reputable doctor, I don't worry too much anymore. From what
everyone has said, the odds are very low, but anything is possible. Just
think positively and you will be a SURVIVOR! Don't let fear keep you from
your new self. Driving these days is considered dangerous :) I am sure
that you will make it and I will too.
— Tara C.
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