1 in 200 DIE?

[Jacqbult 112]

I just read this in the forum and that stat scares me to DEATH...pun intended Is this accurate?? I am not sure I want to take the risk....those are very sobering stats??

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Nope. Not true.

See https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-misconceptions

[Jacqbult 112]

Thank you SO much VGSANN2014!! I feel a lot better!

[Miss Mac 6,262]

I couldn't open that site, but found this by re-routing through their home page: https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-misconceptions

Misconception: The chance of dying from metabolic and bariatric surgery is more than the chance of dying from obesity.

Truth:

As your body size increases, longevity decreases. Individuals with severe obesity have a number of life-threatening conditions that greatly increase their risk of dying, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and more.

Data involving nearly 60,000 bariatric patients from ASMBS Bariatric Centers of Excellence database show that the risk of death within the 30 days following bariatric surgery averages 0.13 percent, or approximately one out of 1,000 patients. This rate is considerably less than most other operations, including gallbladder and hip replacement surgery.

Therefore, in spite of the poor health status of bariatric patients prior to surgery, the chance of dying from the operation is exceptionally low. Large studies find that the risk of death from any cause is considerably less for bariatric patients throughout time than for individuals affected by severe obesity who have never had the surgery. In fact, the data show up to an 89 percent reduction in mortality, as well as highly significant decreases in mortality rates due to specific diseases.

Cancer mortality, for instance, is reduced by 60 percent for bariatric patients. Death in association with diabetes is reduced by more than 90 percent and that from heart disease by more than 50 percent. Also, there are numerous studies that have found improvement or resolution of life-threatening obesity-related diseases following bariatric surgery.

The benefits of bariatric surgery, with regard to mortality, far outweigh the risks. It is important to note that as with any serious surgical operation, the decision to have bariatric surgery should be discussed with your surgeon, family members and loved ones.

[BitterSweet* 835]

Yes, yes it is.

[JamieLogical 8,710]

Lower BMI definitely means lower risk of death. Fewer comorbidities also means less risk of death. I remember reading one study during my research that showed that the risk of death from VSG is lower than the risk of death from knee replacement.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

According to my surgeon the biggest risks are blood clots and pneumonia. If you follow your drs instructions then your risks are decreased.