Question:
I know blood clots are an immediate danger,as are leaks

I read the memorial page and find that people post at two, three months or even a year out and suddenly nothing else. Then a notice that the person is deceased. What is it that happens so suddenly, that far out that people die from. I read one in particular that she had posted how glad she was that she had this surgery and how much weight she had lost and her life changed. Then like two or three days later she was gone with no mention of anything except that it is related to gastric bypass/ This is scarey for me being pre-op. I thought once you had the surgery and got thru it and was home doing okay that everything would be okay. Apparently not! I'm scared.    — Delores S. (posted on December 1, 2002)

November 30, 2002
Take a deep breath. Not everyone who quits posting dies. If you dig into what you read, many you read about on the memorial page are extremely high risk patients. Most post-ops do just fine. Sure it takes some time for your body to adjust to all the changes, but as for me, I'm extremely grateful for this surgery and the results I've achieved. Keep in mind what you're reading on the memorial page is an extremely small sample of those who have complications and do die. Many die from other causes. Please talk to your doctor and reassure yourself that you are a good candidate! Then put your trust in God and relax as much as you can. Use your time in preparation and getting your mind ready for all the changes you're going to experience. Then trust God!
   — Cathy S.

December 1, 2002
Delores: I was also reading it this morning and was a little shocked at the amount of people who died months post-op or that threw a blod clot. Then I started looking at their BMI's, which indicated they were higher risk. I also have a higher BMI, 63.8 but fortunately nothing that is currently life threatening, but certainly on it's way there.<p>Some of the people died before surgery or from other complications. I thought it seemed like a lot till I realized it is 1 page of people (I don't mean to lessen the tragedy) and then I remembered the amount of people registered to this page (over 110,000 if I remember right) and felt better that the odds are still in most people's favors.<p>My surgeon has a 15 yr great track record. He told me the only person he lost was someone 1 month post-op who would not follow through with the exercise. She developed a clot that went to the lung. She was losing weight just fine but the exercise is a critical part of this process also. He said now if he has any indication that someone might not fully comply, based on post-op hospital stay and state of mind, he will send them home on a medication that would likely prevent the clot from developing.<p>I also am scared, but less so of the surgery (I've had so many surgeries in the past 8 years that I sort of refer to myself as the poster chid for surgery) than being clear that I understand what life is like afterwards, long term. I've been reading the grad page and it does give you a more realistic view since many of those people are out 2+ years and some had procedures back in the 70's and are getting them redone now.<p>I'm keeping a positive attitude as I continue to learn more.
   — zoedogcbr

December 2, 2002
I hate to go against the grain here, but I have to disagree with a few of the previous posters. I suffered both a blood clot (DVT) behind my knee, a leak, an abscess and a hematoma. Prior to surgery I was healthy as a horse, and my BMI wasn't high at all. I was a perfectly healthy 23 year old girl when I entered the hospital, and a broken, ill person when I finally got to leave. Please research your surgeon and your hospital and know that this is a high risk surgery, and nobody is excluded from this risk. It doesn't matter how old you are or how high your BMI is. Good Luck.
   — JM B.

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