Question:
I don't mean this to sound MORBID, but

I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way I am just curious. I have been checking the memorials page every day. I am glad to see no new post. Does this mean no one has died. It really has helped my fears that there are no new ones. Just wondering. Sherri    — Sherri H. (posted on July 20, 2002)

July 20, 2002
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, NOTHING IS POSTED THERE UNTIL SOMEONE SENDS IN PROOF OF THE DEATH. SOMETHING TO DO WITH SOME SICK PERSON PLAYING A CRUEL JOKE ONCE A WHILE BACK. STILL, I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY NEW DEATHS THIS WEEK. GOOD LUCK TO US ALL.
   — Pam G.

July 20, 2002
As we know sadly folks do die. Theres a lag between their unofficial reported death and the time their profile gets moved to the memorial page. To be added to the memorial page a family member has to provide written proof of the persons death. Otherwise a idiot could as a prank report so and so died, while the person is on vacation. Imagine how upsetting it would be to return to find YOUR profile there! Pranksters have in the past reported people have died when they havent. So this policy is to protect everyone! Note too that some die in accidents and others before surgery from their co morbidities. But their profiles are on that memorial page as well. <P> True there is a small chance of dying. Everyone needs to go into surgery being aware of the risks and benefits and what to do to minimize risks. Like getting up and walking immediately after surgery. We are truly are surgeons partners. I hope this helps some. Last year at this time I was a nervous WRECK, writing my final instrctions and contemplating dying. Had my funeral all planned. My surgery was July 23rd 2001. I NEVER expected to ever wake up, and was shocked I did! Now its a year later. I feel GREAT! Much healthier! Just wish I had surgery earlier!!! <P> Sorry to go on so. My birthday has me thinking about last year and what #(*&^$@! being a pre op was...
   — bob-haller

July 20, 2002
Techincally I died during surgery, but I was able to be brought back. I wonder how many others have had this experiance? Is there a group or something that we can talk to others about this with?
   — Gremlin Q.

July 20, 2002
Not true, I read on the message board about a lady that past away at the end of June or early July, and has not been posted to the memorial page yet. From what I understand, someone from the family would have to request it. Some family are not aware of the site. There is always a risk....you have to know that and be willing to take it. You can make yourself crazy if you dwell on it. There about about 44 (if I remember correctly) on the memorial page on this site. However, there are many other sites that have nothing but complications and deaths on them. This site does not dwell on the negative, but they don't hide anything.
   — Sharon H.

July 20, 2002
Susannah Lynch passed away recently. Her surgery was in March. Unfortunately, I did not know her, I read her surgery page after someone had posted a message regarding her death on the message board, then read her surgery page it brought me to tears. Sherri, I want to share with you some info, per my surgeon 1% of wls patients die, 5% of wls surgery fail, 90% of all diets fail. I thought I had pretty good odds, I am 1-month post op and would do it all over again. I too read the memorial site before surgery and was scared of dying. The reality is, something could go wrong during the surgery, and something could happen to you on the way to work or driving to the store. I don't mean to sound insensitive or morbid, however, I have always believed everyone has a plan and when your time is up, that's it, your time is up. God Bless and good luck to you.
   — stacjean

July 21, 2002
Sherri, since you are pre op and already looking at the memorials, I would encourage you to STOP! There are a WHOLE lot more people dying from obesity-related illnesses than from this surgery. Need proof? Look at the obituary section of your local newspaper. Also, if you are 2nd guessing the surgery with a thought you might die, read MY profile. My mother died from WLS, but I still had the surgery, and had absolutely NO 2nd thoughts on it. I wish you all the best. And stop thinking about death and START thinking about your NEW LIFE as a thin person!
   — Robby E.

July 22, 2002
I think it just takes a long time for a new memorial to get posted. I have been trying since late May to get my friend's name, Ginger Brewster, who died on March 4, 2002 from complications after having WLS on the memorial page. I have gotten her family's permission to have her name and story appear on the memorial page. They gave me a copy of the obituary and a copy of her death certificate to submit, but her name is still not on there. Also, as someone else said, some families of WLS patients don't realize this web site exists. Such was the case with my friend's family until I mentioned it to them.
   — Hackett

July 23, 2002
My friend's name Ginger Brewster, just got posted on the memorial page this morning. I am going to tell her story on her profile page. Thank-you so much Tammy, for putting her name on the memorial page and creating her profile.
   — Hackett