the dreaded question.....

[lovemyboys 3]

So has anybody ever died (in the US) getting this surgery??? During surgery or after? If so can u give me websites so I can read about it? What about names of docs??

[SKCUNNINGHAM 298]

If you go to www.surgery.com, it will tell you the following (I got this from typing "deaths from sleeve gastrectomy" into my search engine)

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery lists the complication rate in vertical sleeve gastrectomy to be relatively low, even among patients considered to be at high risk. Cumulatively the overall mortality (death) from vertical sleeve gastrectomy is 0.39 percent—lower than with traditional bariatric surgeries. (last updated 11/24/2009)

From an article on www.gastricbypassfacts.com, here is a extract from "How Does the Sleeve Gastrectomy Work?"

The risks and complications of the sleeve gastrectomy:As with all forms of weight loss surgery, the vertical gastrectomy does carry risk and these will clearly vary from one patient to the next and must be discussed with your physician. Complications might include:

• Gastric leakage and fistula 1.0%
• Deep vein thrombosis 0.5%
• Non-fatal pulmonary embolus 0.5%
• Post-operative bleeding 0.5%
• Splenectomy 0.5%
• Acute respiratory distress 0.25%
• Pneumonia 0.2%
• Death 0.25%

http://healthengine.com.au/article/sleeve-gastrectomy.html

This article quotes " The mortality rate in gastric sleeve is 1:500 and it lies between the gastric band, which is the safest, and the laparoscopic gastric bypass, which carries the highest risk."

So the first source says 3.9 patients out of 1000, the second source says 2.5 patients out of 1000 and the third says 2 out of 1000. So I would feel comfortable (based on these 3 sources) saying the death rate is somewhere between 2 and 4 per 1000.

If you are considering a surgeon, ask how many procedures he/she has performed in a year, and how many he/she has performed in total. Then ask the same two questions about patients that died. This will give you an idea where your surgeon is versus the norms.

[lovemyboys 3]

THANK YOU SKCUNNINGHAM. I WILL CHECK OUT THOSE SITES.

[cutie pie 71]

thanks for the info very informative....

If you go to www.surgery.com, it will tell you the following (I got this from typing "deaths from sleeve gastrectomy" into my search engine)

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery lists the complication rate in vertical sleeve gastrectomy to be relatively low, even among patients considered to be at high risk. Cumulatively the overall mortality (death) from vertical sleeve gastrectomy is 0.39 percent—lower than with traditional bariatric surgeries. (last updated 11/24/2009)

From an article on www.gastricbypassfacts.com, here is a extract from "How Does the Sleeve Gastrectomy Work?"

The risks and complications of the sleeve gastrectomy:As with all forms of weight loss surgery, the vertical gastrectomy does carry risk and these will clearly vary from one patient to the next and must be discussed with your physician. Complications might include:

• Gastric leakage and fistula 1.0%
• Deep vein thrombosis 0.5%
• Non-fatal pulmonary embolus 0.5%
• Post-operative bleeding 0.5%
• Splenectomy 0.5%
• Acute respiratory distress 0.25%
• Pneumonia 0.2%
• Death 0.25%

http://healthengine.com.au/article/sleeve-gastrectomy.html

This article quotes " The mortality rate in gastric sleeve is 1:500 and it lies between the gastric band, which is the safest, and the laparoscopic gastric bypass, which carries the highest risk."

So the first source says 3.9 patients out of 1000, the second source says 2.5 patients out of 1000 and the third says 2 out of 1000. So I would feel comfortable (based on these 3 sources) saying the death rate is somewhere between 2 and 4 per 1000.

If you are considering a surgeon, ask how many procedures he/she has performed in a year, and how many he/she has performed in total. Then ask the same two questions about patients that died. This will give you an idea where your surgeon is versus the norms.

[thinoneday 445]

I'm sure there have been deaths in the US from this surgery and/or any other surgery. . . things happen and when it's your turn, it's your turn no matter what they do. . . good luck!

[LisaM 3]

One thing that gave me comfort about going through Kaiser is they have never had any deaths since they started their bariatric program. But, they attribute this to carefully screening their patients to make sure they're healthy. So, if you're in good health overall, and have co morbidities under control, you should really have little to worry about.

[kellyw74 258]

I agree!!

I was sleeved at Kaiser Richmond and so thankful for the skilled hands that touched me! My Kaiser is ranked 3rd in the nation for Bariatrics. NOT TOO SHABBY!

It doesn't hurt that they educate you to the HILT either. They make sure you know exactly what you are getting into and what is expected of you when you are sleeved. Many people complain about the process, but I think it is great. I see all these people out here on this forum that haven't a clue what to eat or how much to eat and I think to myself, who on earth was your dr.??? It really blows my mind!

Kelly

One thing that gave me comfort about going through Kaiser is they have never had any deaths since they started their bariatric program. But, they attribute this to carefully screening their patients to make sure they're healthy. So, if you're in good health overall, and have co morbidities under control, you should really have little to worry about.