Question:
Does this surgery change your life expectancy rate?
— Cherae B. (posted on May 13, 2002)
May 13, 2002
Yes, you can expect to live 15-20 years longer than you would have if you
didn't have the surgery and remained morbidly obese.
— Tina P.
May 13, 2002
The different types of WLS in their modern form haven't really been around
long enough to produce long-term clinical studies it seems. The only study
I know of is Dr. Hess's on BPD, but BPD has been replaced with BPD/DS.
Some doctors would say yes to your question, some no. I think it depends
on who you are too. If you are 50 years old and 500 pounds, I have a
feeling WLS will increase your lifespan. If you are 25 or 30 and only just
meet the BMI requirements, I think it may be a totally different story.
Just my opinion. There aren't many people to talk to who are 20 years out
from RNY or DS. That long ago it was all about the JIB, and I doubt there
are many of those patients left to talk unfortunately.
— [Deactivated Member]
May 14, 2002
My sister had stomach surgery back in 1981 and she weighs 135 pounds, she
started out at 300 and she is 54 she also had most of bowels by passed so I
supose it is like the DS, she eats what she wants and does good, I had
surgery in 1982 with a different and mine did not work but I am trying to
get it passed again and I want the BDS/DS this time if I can get my ins to
approve me, I have met a wonderful dr in Nashville Tn, he really cares for
his patients, his name is Dr. Husted.
— Ann P.
May 14, 2002
My sister had stomach surgery back in 1981 and she weighs 135 pounds, she
started out at 300 and she is 54 she also had most of bowels by passed so I
supose it is like the DS, she eats what she wants and does good, I had
surgery in 1982 with a different and mine did not work but I am trying to
get it passed again and I want the BDS/DS this time if I can get my ins to
approve me, I have met a wonderful dr in Nashville Tn, he really cares for
his patients, his name is Dr. Husted.
— Ann P.
May 14, 2002
Okay, here's my humble opinion on the life span issue. Studies are just
that ... studies. A doctor could say, "On average, patients live to
be 75." That means some are dying at 45 and some are living to 100.
I don't imagine you should plan out your life depending on some study. You
will live to the age God intended you to live. Sorry if that sounded
arrogant, but that's just the way I feel about it. I think we in the WLS
community worry too much about whether or not we're going to die 5 years
earlier (than what?). Make sense?
— Terissa R.
May 14, 2002
I understand what you're saying, but I think the results of a long term
study (if one existed) would and should be a factor in someone's decision
about WLS. Hypothetical: If there were a 20 year study following RNY
patients and it was found that 50% of Distals ended up with the same severe
medical problem (despite perfect labs, etc.), wouldn't _some_ consider that
an important piece of information to take into account? Maybe opt for
proximal or another type of WLS all together? Or if you are the type who
needs to strap rolls of quarters to your underwear to qualify in the first
place, maybe not have surgery at all and try something else? Real results
would likely not be so dramatic, but for one person, even a 5-10%
likelihood might be too much. It all depends on an individual's situation
(other risks/options/tolerances), so I think research serves a great
purpose by providing people with solid information (as opposed to
anecdotes) which they can use to help them make better decisions for
themselves. I realize that not everyone interested in WLS is going to
care to read-up, but research would at least help doctors better advise
their patients (not to mention that it could lead to even better WLS in the
future). Right now, PCPs have very little but anecdotal accounts to go on
as well. I guess I'm just an advocate for people being informed, and I
really believe in the benefits of research in all disciplines. I
understand your example about "On average..", but that is just an
example of the way in which the media dumbs down information so that it can
be reported to the masses.
— [Deactivated Member]
May 15, 2003
There is no reason to think that life expectancy is shortened after WLS.
That is a piece of misinformation that is largely spread by one particular
anti-WLS crusader (initials are S.W.) on the internet. Don't believe it.
There is one journal article that I know of that attempts to answer this
question based on statistical analysis: See
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12648689&dopt=Abstract
or http://tinyurl.com/butf. "CONCLUSIONS: In a decision analysis
model, laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity was
associated with a substantially longer survival than diet and exercise
therapy. Copyright 2003 by the American College of Surgeons"
— Tally
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