What are the risks

[princesszippie]

Hi all.
Does anyone know what the risks are (death rate) related to gastric bypass being performed. I have my consultation on the 3rd of Marchand my mother is going to come with me and I am sure she will ask the question.

Kelly

 

[Sambucca]

I believe the chances of death nationally are 1 in 200, but you have to keep that in context and look at the chances of death just from being morbidly obese.

Ask your surgeon what his own mortality rate is, as that will be more relevant.

 

[princesszippie]

God that is high isnt it. I had heard that and hoped that I got the stats wrong.

 

[Marky007]

It would be wise to ask your surgeon, how many he has performed and how many did not make it, and why

 

[Cuppacocoa]

Sam is right, the national statistic is 1 in 200 but each surgeon has their own mortality rate. It may sound high but putting it into perspective the risk of death is only 0.5%, which is tiny, particularly when you take into consideration the number of patients operated on with extremely high bmi's and often with a number of associated health problems.

Cuppa xx

 

[princesszippie]

Oh my god Cuppa you are doing really well. Keep it up and thanks for the advise. I am just scared that my hubby and mum will put me off due to the stats. I have to keep strong though. Can not continue living like this, I hate it!!!

 

[Ellie65]

Oh my god Cuppa you are doing really well. Keep it up and thanks for the advise. I am just scared that my hubby and mum will put me off due to the stats. I have to keep strong though. Can not continue living like this, I hate it!!!

Keep strong and read all the positive posts on here they are very encouraging get hubby to read some too. As Marky said ask your surgeon he is the best person to ask. Good Luck

 

[dreamofbeingslim]

When I went for my first appt in December the dr I saw said it is 1 in 300 across the country. But he also said that is on people that are considered higher risk than myself, I was shocked by this as I would have thought I would have been one of the higher risks but apparently not. I suppose when I see the surgeon further on in my journey he will say or I will ask his own statistics. Whatever they are though I have to take that risk because if I stay like this I am at an increased risk anyway because my weight is gradually taking its toll on my body. I think it is definately worth taking for me now and am also trying to get some weight off before the op aswell. Good luck.

 

[Mixman]

I think Dr. Ackroyd, my surgeon, was 1 in 300. I thought about it and logic said that, although I was very overweight, I didn't have any other health issues, so I had a good chance of everything being OK.

The 'risk' was worth it to me as I wasn't leading a very good life and the probability of me dying young from a heart attack or other weight related problem would be higher!

 

[cah-ching]

Hi,

I've read on several studies that put the risk at 1/200. May be worth your while reading this:
Gastric Bypass Surgery Health Dangers

Interesting read and is in line with lots of things I've read elsewhere.

You have to weight up the pro's and the con's

It's in part down to the skill of the surgeon. Here I wrote a list of questions which may be of use to you http://www.wlsurgery.com/wlsurgery/125754-questions-surgeon-during-consultation.html

 

[Porpo]

Hi,

The rate varies from surgeon to surgeon. I think the average is 1 in 200 but more experienced the surgeon the better really. I had Mr. Ammori and his is much better than the average.

Your risk also varies depending on your other health problems and your weight at the time of the surgery. So the heavier you are and the worse your health is generally the more likely you are to be that statistic. From my own view point I knew that the chance of having a longer and healthier life was much better odds than the risk from the operation and for me it was a risk worth taking. Still it is a scary time so make sure you ask them lots of questions and you feel confident with the team.

 

[BIG KIM]

Every surgical procedure carries the risk of Death, whether your having your tonsils out or a triple heart bypass.
as said above, if you are obese, then you risk death in all kinds off different ways, so trust me on this, the risk is worth it.

And for the record, I haven't heard of anyone dying having a gastric bypass, so it cant be to common.

 

[candie]

My surgeon said it was 1 in 200 for a bypass and 1 in 20 for bowel surgeryYou have to weigh up the long term benefits of the bypass, and think what your life will be like if you don't have it
I'd have been dead one way or another before 50 I reckon

 

[BIG KIM]

Read this, it may help...

Gastric bypass mortality, a bariatric surgeon's view

 

[tray]

thanks for the link kim, it was a good read.

 

[Cuppacocoa]

Oh my god Cuppa you are doing really well. Keep it up and thanks for the advise. I am just scared that my hubby and mum will put me off due to the stats. I have to keep strong though. Can not continue living like this, I hate it!!!

Hi PZ, thank you hun xx When I met my surgeon I asked him about his mortality rate and he replied that he's had two deaths (out of over 400 ops), both due to complications with the patients health after the op. This scared the heck out of me and it was all I could focus on to start with, it very nearly put me off going ahead with surgery.

But thank goodness I came to my senses and went on to have a bypass 7 weeks later. I'm now 3mths on and it is by far the best thing I have ever done and the best money I've ever spent! It's totally changed my life already and I wouldn't change it for the world! I finally have control over what I put in my mouth for the first time in my life!

Good luck with whatever you decide,
Cuppa xx