I dont want to be a wet blanket..but I need to keep it real...As much as I want this surgery...I do NOT want it at the cost of my life! I rather be fat then to die "by choice". As the time is drawing near...Im getting nervous...Im getting alittle scared...What are the statistics of death for Lap Band? I tried researching it....and didnt really find anything or didnt understand the medical jargon...Someone...HELP ME GET INFORMATION!! I need to put my mind at ease!

The stats are pretty good. I was the same way before my surgery. I was banded Dec. 18th, 09. The first few days I had a lot of gas pains. The 2 weeks of liquids, well let's just say "will power" LOL. I start solids next riday, can't wait. Good luck, when is your surgery?

I found the numbers once but haven't been able to locate them recently.

The fatality rate from lapband surgery is like 1 in 2,600

HI I WILL BE BANDED JANUARY 16, 2010. I TOO AM VERY SCARED & NERVOUS!! WHEN I WENT TO TALK TO MY DR AND SET UP MY SURGERY DATE HE WENT OVER A LIST WITH ME...ON THAT LIST WAS DEATH TOLL FROM GASTRIC BANDING; IT WAS UNDER 1%!!! THAT REALLY HELPED ME AS WITH ANY SURGERY THERE IS A CHANCE OF DEATH. I AM HAVING CRAZY THOUGHTS ABOUT NOT WAKING UP AND WHAT IF'S...BUT I KNOW IF I KEEP GOING THE WAY I AM (BIGGER & BIGGER) I WILL DIE.

DO YOU HAVE A SURGERY DATE?? I'D LOVE TO KEEP IN TOUCH :smile2:

Here's what put my mind at ease. You need to ask yourself how healthy you are right now (besides the obesity). If you're a relatively healthy person, then your chances of dieing on the table are very very slim...keep in mind this is an 'outpatient procedure' at many hospitals. Yes, things happen, but the mortality rate mainly involves those that were already 'dieing' and unhealthy and took the risk. The docs I picked here are known for taking on the cases that the other hospitals won't do (I had three Centers of Excellence here to pick from) like revisions, the super obese, etc., so their mortality rate was a little higher, but all their deaths were people that were already very ill.

Now all that said, I was so excited to get my band, but anyone who tells you they weren't at least a little nervous is crazy...it's normal to get 'cold feet'. Hang in there; you'll do great! -BG

Hi. I had the same concerns as you before surgery. I actually almost backed out when they rolled me into OR and asked me to go from my bed to the OR table. I thought I could do that or I could just get off my bed and walk out...hehe. I had never been put to sleep before and I was SCARED....Scared I wouldn't wake up.

Like you I would rather be fat than die. My dr. had told me the week before the fatality rate was something like 0.05% and that I would be fine. My anesthesioligist also tried to put me at ease right before surgery.

I am not trying to scare you but I did have some complications with my 1st surgery. They think maybe an allergic reaction to the anesthesia. I came out of surgery throwing up and couldn't stop. I ended up herniating part of my stomach up and over the band. My Dr. admitted me to the hospital 2 days after my 1st surgery because I couldn't stop throwing up and was dehydrated and I had my "rebanding" the next day. The second surgery was a piece of cake. They said that is how the first surgery should have been and how it is for most people. I was really sore for about a week not sure if that was from the surgery or throwing up so much or both but I was up and in Walmart 3 days after the 2nd surgery. I am now 2.5 weeks post op and doing everything I was before surgery except my workouts are only walking right now.

You will be fine! I don't think you have anything to worry about.

My doctor said the mortality rate was about .5% I think.

Girl im nervous just like the rest of yall. Im getting banded on tuesday the 12th of this month and im terrified. im worried im not going to wake up or im going to die right on the table... but im looking at it like this, if it wasnt meant to be, then i wouldnt had gotten approved.. and if the surgeron didnt think it was okay, he wouldnt do it. im terrified. but i say,,, i know this is what i need.

I'd like to share my story with you. I was scheduled to have my surgery on Feb 9, 2009. On Feb 6, I was told I had a rare bleeding disorder and my surgeon and hematologist would not clear me for surgery at my small local hospital. My surgeon suggested another hospital 2 hours away. I was terrified and went into total denial and depresssion. I was scared I would bleed to death all for the sake of vanity. I just decided I would be fat and unhealthy and that would be the cause of my death. For about 5-6 months I was the most unhappiest I'd ever been. Finally, I sucked it up and decided to see the doctors in Pittsburgh PA. They cleared me and I scheduled a surgery date again, but completely planned to cancel it. I didn't. I won't lie...I was scared to the point where I cried in the pre-op room where they administered the clotting medicine. On September 9, 2009 I was banded (without any complications) and I don't regret the decision one bit. What doesn't kill us only makes us stronger!

At any rate avoid 1800-GET SLIM, aka WEIGHT LOSS CENTERS, aka TOP SURGEONS.

Why? numerous reasons … they had casualties, the way they do it, it is unavoidable, I went to their consultation and decided to do it with someone else, no one listens to what you have to say, you are not examined by a surgeon.

In general the atmosphere is very unpleasant and uncomfortable. I am 5 months after and very happy about my decision to do it with someone else.

thank you all for responses...they were so helpful...i meet my surgeon in february..so no i dont have a date..but would love to keep in touch..how much longer after your first visit with the surgeon do you usually get to know whether your approved for the surgery?