Question:
what is the percentage of people who don't survive due to wls

Does a ralative healthy person have a good chance of surviving this surgery. My major concern is not waking up.    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 15, 2000)

November 15, 2000
I am having this surgery in two weeks and I am very concerned about this issue also. Why are the statistics so different with each answer? Is there not factual numbers on this? Hey, doctors, give us an answer! I have heard the surgery mortality rate is comparable to an appendectomy. Does being super morbidly obese contribute to the survival rate? In other words, does the more you weigh increase your odds of NOT surviving? Please some reassurance so we can have this surgery with peace of mind. Thanks
   — [Anonymous]

November 15, 2000
The mortality rate for this surgery is waaay lower than one would expect, considering all the co-morbidities involved with each patient. It's like less than 1% and I think the dangers are even less than appendectomy as you don't have the 'burst appendix' factor to deal with. Relax, and look forward to a wonderful experience. It was my thought going in that "I could die crossing the street, this is waaay safer". LOL
   — Lacy G.

November 15, 2000
Thank You so much for posting this today I will have the surgery 11/28/00 and just had my pre-op today and scared to death of being put to sleep. the discussion did help again thanks..
   — Tamaria W.

November 15, 2000
I had my consultaion with my surgeon on Tuesday...he has been doing WLS since 1984 and has never lost a patient...He told me that because of certain things obese people have more complications when it comes to surgery but...he said it is no more of a risk than galbladder surgery or an appendectomy. Or a hysterectomy for that matter...Im feeling better about surgery after knowing that. Hundreds of people have those surgeries everyday...heck that covers half my family...LOL and they are still here thank goodness!!!
   — Tracy L.

November 15, 2000
That question of my Doctor and he has been in practice for quite a few years & never had a death yet and has had very rare complications. My Doctor is extremely cautious in pre-op testing thus reducing any risks of complications.Ask questions of nurses & fellow Doctors in the area where he practices ie: have they heard of him, what do they think of him etc. that's what my wife & I did plus we attend the support group meetings eveyone there had nothing but positive feedback this helps calm the fears.
   — Thomas L.

November 15, 2000
As I understand it, the risk of dying from/during WLS surgery is less than 1%. While ALL invasive procedures (up to and including having your teeth cleaned at the dentist) have risks associated with them, it's a matter of degree. Personally, I figured the less-than-1% chance of dying from the surgery beat the probably-100% chance of dying from the co-morbidities of my obesity by a mile. Although I had some co-morbs (mild Type II diabetes, moderate sleep apnea, mild high blood pressure, arthritis, etc.), I also had a family history of heart disease and stroke, which didn't bode too well for the future. At the time of my surgery last April, except for weighing 343 pounds, I was relatively healthy, and I had no problems. It seems like those that die from WLS either do so from an unforeseen complication (like a blood clot or septic infection), or because they had serious health issues prior to surgery. I know it's scary (if you WANTED to be cut open, I'd be a lot more worried about you), but it's a very small risk -- a risk that is miniscule compared to the consequences of rampant long-term obesity. Good luck and warm thoughts whatever you choose,
   — Cheryl Denomy

November 16, 2000
It seems that everyone has a different answer to this question, but that is probably because every surgeon is different. Some surgeons do a lot of testing to "weed out" the high-risk patients. Others are willing and able to operate on high-risk and super-obese patients. Those things will have a big impact on their rate of complication and death. Also, the staff who take care of you after surgery can have a big impact. I have seen folks online talk about being mis-treated or neglected by hospital staff after their surgery. It seems that most of the possible complications happen after the surgery is over. The chances that you will not wake up from surgery are extremely slim. My surgeon said the death rate in his group practice is half a percent (one in 200 patients), and most deaths are from blood clots, pneumonia, or infection, which all happen in the days following surgery.
   — Lynn K.

November 16, 2000
Your concerns are valid, and it will be to your advantage to be as informed as possible about your own personal health history, your surgeon, and WLS procedures. The estimates I have heard are between .8 and 2.2%. The way I figured it, the percentage of dying from diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea were MUCH higher than dying from WLS. Maybe not now, maybe not in a year, but eventually it would catch up to me. I am 6 months post-op and down 91 pounds. I am feeling (and looking) wonderful. I have no regrets whatsoever, and I know it saved my life. Good luck with your decision:)
   — Paula G.