Question:
What is the death rate for

All the research that I've seen lump all GBP patients together and come up with the 1-2% mortality rate. Then the comment is made that this mortality rate is more than, say a gallbladder surgery, because of the health and obesity going into surgery that makes the mortality rate higher than other surgeries. Are there any facts that don't lump all obese patients in one pile? My BMI is 43, I'm 37 with a few comorbidities. My doctor says my risk isn't as high as someone 50-55 or with a BMI of 50 or above. Can anyone shed some light or tell if there are any stats on this?    — Denise B. (posted on August 8, 2003)

August 7, 2003
Hi, I think the mortality rate is somewhere around 2%. However, my BMI was 62 and I can assume my mortality rate would be much higher without the surgery. I do believe the 2 main risk in any surgery are blood clots and pneumonia. My surgeon puts all his patients in ICU first 24 hours after surgery and then....it's walking, walking and more walking, even if you just think you can't walk anymore....this helps to prevent bloodclots which are very common in surgery for obese people. Also the day before surgery, my surgeon puts his patients in the hospital and begins breathing treatments to keep the lungs open and of course he gives us the little breathing gatget to blow into the day or even the week before surgery to strengthen the lungs. Unfortunately, obesity is a progressive disease and when I was 37 my BMI was 40, but at 50 when I went into surgery it was 62. This is such a personal thing everyone has to make their own decision..but for me...I did the math and I felt I had a better chance of living having the surgery. Best wishes to you and take care!
   — Karen Renee

August 8, 2003
I've seen the 1-2% rate many times, and it's probably pretty close to accurate, looking at national averages. I think the key for us is to research our own surgeon's rates, and also the hospital's rates where you'll have surgery. If you have a great surgeon and a good hospital your mortality rate will be much less than the national average. For instance, my son's surgeon's mortality rate is 1 of 600 (and the one was a very high-risk patient). I'm sure your doctor is right about your risk being lower than someone with a much higher BMI who also has co-morbidities. There is more information on risks here in the library section.
   — Carlita

August 8, 2003
According to Dr. Walter Pories, President of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery, the mortality rate is 1%. We've probably all debated this with one person or another during our journey but my rationale was this - my mortality rate was much higher than 1% when I was 115 pounds overweight, had diabetes, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, etc. I was 50 times more likely to have breast cancer (read my profile about this). I was 5000 times more likely to have pancreatic cancer. The statistics go on and on. I'd say with a BMI of 37 and few morbidities you are an ideal candidate and should do well. I am not aware of statistics that are more broken down. This is simply because the current version of RNY with all the pre op and post op education, etc. is still in it's infancy and there's not been enough time for excessive statistical data. We'll pray that the Lord will bless and keep you. I believe you'll do fine.
   — ronascott

August 8, 2003
I've seen 1-2 per 1000. That means .1%-.2%. Not as bad as the risks we run by being MO.
   — Annie H.

August 8, 2003
I understand 1% or 2% is 1 or 2 out of 100 not out of 1000. That is how it was explained statistically by my surgeon. His personal statistics were better then that as are many surgeons out there having better numbers. It really pays to check out who your surgeon will be. I know I read once..sorry can't recall the name but there was a surgeon in Jerseys whos rate was 1 in 1000. I met a girl online who's surgeon had lost 3 out of 56 patients. Major difference there and I know which surgeon I'd pick.
   — Carrie D.