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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