Question:

Quote from article (link to article found here on Gallery page in "Obesityhelp.com News"): "But there are grave dangers: 1 in 200 people die from the operations themselves. Six in 200 suffer severe complications like ulcers, infections or constant heartburn. And one in 10 patients fail to lose weight ." I've never heard statistics like these! Makes me all the more nervous! Anybody know if these statements are correct??? Thanks, Jamie A. Milligan Surgery date: 10/09/02    — j-bird333 (posted on September 4, 2002)

September 4, 2002
Actually the mortality rate for bariatric surgery (excluding the band)is 1.7% nationally which is more like 1 out of 100 instead of 1 out of 200. Further the "complication" rate for ulcers and infections is also higher than 6 out of 200 but I don't know the specific numbers. I think it's important to point out that complications such as ulcers, infections and heartburn are rarely considered severe and generally easily corrected - not to say there aren't exceptions to this but most of the time these complications aren't really "severe". In fact, I've known a bunch of WLS patients and I've never even known anyone who had constant heartburn. (I am the Coordinator of a Surgical Weight Loss Program and a Support Group Host and an RNY patient too) I've also never known anyone who failed to lose weight although I have known people who didn't achieve their goal and it was usually a lack of motivation or compliance on their part. We have to remember this is a tool not a miracle (although most us consider it a pretty miraculous tool, huh?). Statistics can be scary! But, I think these statistics are scary too - 13% of ALL deaths in the U.S. can be directly linked to obesity. At least 300,000 and as many as 600,000 people die unnecessarily every year as a result of obesity related health problems. Obese women are 50 times more likely to develop breast cancer. The obese are 5000 times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. The all-cause mortality rate for individuals with obesity, particularly with cardiovascular disease, is 50% to 100% greater than for normal weight individuals. Approximately 25% of children and adolescents are overweight, a figure which has doubled in 30 years. Persons with obesity are at risk of developing one or more serious medical conditions. Obesity is associated with more than 30 medical conditions. Strong relationships have been scientifically established between obesity and at least 15 conditions, including arthritis, breast cancer, heart disease, colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, endometrial cancer, end-stage renal disease, galbladder disease, hypertension, liver disease, low back pain, renal cell cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, stroke, and urinary incontinence. I know this is alot of statistical mumbo jumbo but for me, what it boiled down to, was I felt the statistics were stacked against me alot worse if I didn't have the surgery. Some people find the risk of death or complications is too great to consider having the surgery. I completely understand that and respect that. We all have to do what is right for us. I just wanted to show you that we're in statistically alot worse shape as obese people than you might have thought. Best wishes to you whatever you decide!
   — ronascott

September 4, 2002
Ok, I dont have statistics but I guess I am one. I had open RNY on 10-3-01. Galbladder removal 6 months later, developed a large ulcer at the same time. An ulcer that will not respond to medicine. I have been advised by my PCP, my gastroenterologist and as of today, by my WLS surgeon that I need to have surgery to remove it. I also learned today that I have a small breakdown in my staple line. I have been in miserable pain since late March and am facing a revision with ulcer removal in a month. I have lost 105lbs and love my life, pain and all. I would do all of this again if I needed to, as a matter of fact......I am. I did not make the decision to have this surgery lightly, I felt it was right for me. I went into the surgery room knowing all the risks, and was very comfortable with my decision. I wish you the same peace with yours.
   — RebeccaP

September 4, 2002
You're absolutely right, Rona! I know we have many more problems facing us by staying MO & I do already have my mind made up to go through w/ the surgery! I've also been told my surgeon's never lost a patient, so that helps put my mind at ease quite a bit. But when I read those numbers, all I could think of was my 2 yr. old son & my 3 yr. old daughter! Then again, they're part of the reason I need to do this! Thanks for putting it into perspective for me! BTW, I checked out your profile...congrats on the amazing weight loss!!! Take care... Jamie =0)
   — j-bird333

September 4, 2002
Thanks for your input, Rebecca! Also best wishes to you on your revision/ulcer surgery in a month! Please keep us posted as to how you're doing & great job on the weight loss! Hugs, Jamie =0) PS: I DID have a question at the top of my post originally, I don't know how it disappeared! Maybe one of the moderators took it out??? Hmmm...
   — j-bird333

September 10, 2002
I was OBSESSED with the mortality rate: As far as numbers (according to the newest medical journals) a LAP RNY goes like this... Apart from normal risk from any type of surgery where you are "put under" (from wisdom teeth to open heart) deaths related to a LAP RNY are almost all due to leaks... but this is not entirely true so you need to take this with the numbers below: 10% of WLS leak and 1% of those leaks are fatal...(.10*.01=.001) so 1 in 1,000 actual die from a leak. What you need to take into consideration are your co-morbidities before the surgery... a heart problem, a breathing problem or even diabetes (which proglongs the healing process by nature) can have an effect on that number... and can be why some studies show such a high rate and some a low. From political poles we learn numbers are there primarily to be manipulated.... My theory 100% of us die.. (that's a fact). But I'm focused on living... and right now (4 months to surgery date) I'm not living, I'm existing. No matter what you choose God Bless you and I hope everything goes well....=) Leah
   — Leah S.