Question:
My surgeon told me that the risk of WLS about like gallbladder surgery. Is this true

The surgeon I'm considering said the risk of WLS was about equal to the risk of having other major surgeries, such as gallbladder or a hysterectomy. I am questioning this. Any thoughts??    — Joann L. (posted on July 25, 2003)

July 25, 2003
All the studies I did before my surgery indicated a very high risk rate for WLS. Please investigate for yourself, or get another opinion if you really want the truth. Yes many people do well with the surgery, but I personally know of one man who did not. It is very serious surgery indeed. Much is white washed about the realities by some. Some people have no problems and do very well, others have a few or many complications. How many of these surgeries has this Doctor done? Have you checked up on him with your State medical board, done your research? Best wishes to you and hopefully others will chime in and give you some advice. I survived the surgery, and did a lot of investigation but was still in the dark about the realities after the surgery.
   — Laura K.

July 25, 2003
I didn't research this. This is what my doctor told me. He said that WLS was less risk than a hysterectomy and that the highest risk surgery was knee replacement surgery. Knee replacement surgery is high due to the person not being able to walk much; therefore, there is a higher risk of forming blood clots. He didn't say anything about gallbladder surgery. I would do as the last poster said. If you are concerned and have questions do some research. Hope this helps.
   — Lisa C.

July 25, 2003
Well I know that they used to give a 2% rate for WLS, last I heard they had it dropped down to about a 1% chance of death. I am assuming other surgeries would have close to the same depending on what it is and the surgeon. My doctor said it had about the same risks as other surgeries mainly increased because we are obese!
   — Saxbyd

July 25, 2003
Barbara Thompson has a very interesting article on surgery risks on her website: http://www.wlscenter.com/ResearchArticles/RisksOfSurgery.htm
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 25, 2003
Risk is INDIVIDUAL! The original posters profile is private so we dont know anything about them. A lightweight with no co morbidities has less risk than a 700 pound person who cant walk. Bloodclots are the big killer so someone who cant walk is at great risk. Actually very few die during the actual operation. Its hard to get dead on that table. Blood clots and other complications are what kills most patients. Having a experienced surgeon helps tremendusly.
   — bob-haller

July 25, 2003
I believe what the surgeon was telling you is that the risk to you is the same as it would be for other major surgeries. And it is true that our individual health issues can determine how dangerous surgery is - any kind of surgery and there is inherent risk in any surgery. But I do believe that the surgeon was being truthful with you. It is my understanding that this surgery is no more risky than gall bladder or any other major surgery. I am about to have a total knee replacement and my orthopaedist told me that is is more dangerous than the RNY was.
   — Patty_Butler

July 25, 2003
I have done my research for years before I had this surgery. One thing I learned it is major surgery and comparing it to other surgeries is pointless. It's a procedure all it's own. The risk at 1% means 1 in 100 people die. My surgeon told me that if he looses 1 in 100 Gastric Bypass Patients in the medical society it's considered within normal range. If he lost 1 in 1000 gall bladder patients they would be wanting to know why and investigating him. He also said the risk were about equivilant with a heart bypass. Lots of surgeries are becoming safer as medical technology progresses. But so often I have read on here that the risks with this surgery are about the same as any other. They are not the same they are much greater. That is why we have to look at the quality of our lives and decide if the quality of life we are living out ways the risks. I have no regrets about my surgery. I'd not think twice about doing it again. It saved my life and gave me back a quality of life. I truly live now and enjoy each day..I did not preop.
   — Carrie D.

July 26, 2003
My surgeon compares it more to a heart bypass. It's a very serious procedure, and not without serious risks. However, weigh out the risks to you of NOT having WLS. The risks are most likely higher in staying morbidly obese.
   — Ginger M.

July 26, 2003
My surgeon compares it more to a heart bypass. It's a very serious procedure, and not without serious risks. However, weigh out the risks to you of NOT having WLS. The risks are most likely higher in staying morbidly obese.
   — Ginger M.

July 26, 2003
One of the first questions I asked my surgeon (I am now 2 weks post-op) was about his record of safety. His group has done 100's of them (about 18/day now I understand), and has not lost anyone.
   — Tim W.

July 26, 2003
Maybe the risk is similar for weight loss surgery and a gall bladder surgery on a MORBIDLY OBESE INDIVIDUAL. I truely, (My opinion only) think the major risk is the Morbid obesity not WLS alone.
   — **willow**

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