Question:
Does anyone have medical statistics on long term effects of WLS?

I need information of the long term effects on mortality of weight loss surgery. I was recently told that 3 Dr's said this surgery "will" shorten your life considerably. Please help me so I can correct this information if possible.    — Carol T. (posted on June 25, 2001)

June 25, 2001
Whoa! What idiot moron doctor told you that one!! First of all the mortality rate varies greatly and has many factors involved. You have to consider the individual surgeon's mortality rate. Some surgeons are wonderful and some have no business what-so-ever performing WLS. Another major factor is the person's overall health before surgery. I would love to hear these doctors' reasons on why WLS surgery would shorten our lives?! If anything it will lengthen our lives. I was looking at an early death from Cancer, Diabetes &/or Heart Disease if I didn't do something about my weight. My mother died of Breast Cancer at the age of 47 and my dad has serious Diabetes and Heart Disease & he's only 51. (Both are/were obese) Granted, I still may end up getting Cancer or Diabetes but I have a much better chance of surviving it now that I am getting the weight off! Hope this helps!
   — Deniece H.

June 25, 2001
I don't know of any studies particularly addressing this issue, and imagine it would be very hard to pinpoint. I suspect the doctors who have said this are making the assumption that poor nutrition may lessen the lifespan. The only study I am familiar with, the Hess report, follows DS patients 10 years out, with no decreased mortality as a result of the surgery. I think it would be extremely difficult to pinpoint the surgery as a cause; so many of the morbidly obese have damaged their systems and organs from the obesity, that they are likely to have a shortened lifespan anyway. I'd love to see a study comparing life spans of the morbidly obese vs. the surgically corrected morbidly obese. I think that would be the only meaningful study. Hmmmm - gives me something to think about for a doctoral thesis.... - Kate -
   — kateseidel

June 26, 2001
My Surgeon, who has been performing these surgeries for 20 years, says there are no reliable statistics out there. Morbid Obesity, though an old issue, dealing with it surgically is still considered new. Most studies done are less than 20 years in length and if you go looking for patients long term post op....most our in the "under 10 years" category. One of the biggest problems that have been addressed though is osteoporosis...which is just newly addressed in all aspects. Good Luck and Prayers to all, Karan
   — chance2lv