Question:
No comorbids, but passed away during surgery?

Has anyone ever known a "healthy (no comorbs) dying during bypass surgery? I am 31 225lbs with no health problems other then my weight. My family has a history of high blood pressure and type II diabetes on setting in mid to late 30's and I am looking to have this surgery done as a preventive measure before I have too many risk factors. I am just worried that I will not make it. Please any comments are welcome. Thanks and God bless!!    — my J. (posted on January 3, 2003)

January 3, 2003
I am 29 and at the time of surgery I weighed 255. Also I had no co morbids and I am basically a healthy person. I went thru the liv-lite program the way it was explained to me was that the people who unfortunatley die are those who are older and who have health problems they did not disclose to the doctor or that were not found in the pre-op testing. My primary doctor was so against me having this surgery because he said " why put a healthy person on the table and open them up?" I would rather go on the table now that I am young and healthy than when I am old and still obese with other health issues. I hope that helps.
   — Michelle A.

January 3, 2003
Shortly after I had my surgery performed a young lady passed away after having the surgery performed. I think she was 23 and healthy. If my memory serves me correctly, she aspirated some fluid in her lungs and they became infected and they could not get in under control. However, her parents attended a support group and spoke about how they felt her death should not impede people from getting the surgery if they needed it. They were very brave, indeed.
   — sheron H.

January 3, 2003
Most of us wished we had done it long before the problems set in. I don't know if I would have had the courage, but my daughter had the surgery but she was much heavier than. As to your question, I remember reading about a young women dying of a heart attack at her support meeting. She did not follow her surgeons directions and became severely dehydrated ( I guess she did not drink her fluids because she was too obessed by the scale). Dehydration can cause severe problems, even death. So if you are not dedicated to doing what you are told, you should wait until you are ready.
   — faybay

January 3, 2003
I would like to add something the other posters seem to have missread. You said DURING surgery. YES, it is possible for a normally healthy young person to die During surgery. This is usually from the blood clots. they form in your legs and pieces of them break off. It can travel to your lungs and it is instant death. I have read about it many times here at this site and have been e-mail pals with people this has happened to. it is the number one cause of death during surgery. But let me add, it is just not this surgery but ANY surgery can have this complication. The docs usually give you iv medicine during and after surgery to prevent this from happening and they use those stockings on your legs that squeeze your legs to prevent clots from forming. I am pre-op also and this is one of my concerns. But we have to have faith that we will be all right and one year after surgery, we will be soo glad we have had it. Good Luck
   — Delores S.

January 3, 2003
There are many ways a person can pass away during ANY surgery. During surgery there can be blood clots, a bad reaction to being put under, a heart attack, etc. Right after surgery you can also have blood clots or develop an infection. These are risks associated with any surgery. However, comorbidities and/or a family history will increase the risks. I think when most of us make the decision to go through with this, we decide to take the very minimal risk of dying during/right after surgery versus the very strong risk of dying as the complications of the excess weight increase with time. It is a very personal decision and not one to be taken lightly. That said, I am thankful every day I had the courage to go through with the surgery. Now over a year out, I am healthier than I was for the past 15-20 years.
   — Julie S.

January 4, 2003
People die from all kinds of surgery, which is a sad but true fact. My surgeon's opinion is that people with less health problems and a lower BMI have a better chance of NOT having complications. I'm 33, weighed 242 at the time of my surgery, and didn't have any complications at all, but I knew there were no gaurantees. I did it anyway, because I trusted my doctor, and I knew I'd get bigger with time, and then my risk factors would increase. You have to be totally committed, even if you are scared. I was terrified right up until I got the IV and was knocked out. It was worth every second of it. I'm only 3 weeks out, and I still believe that. :)
   — Diana L.

January 5, 2003
The death rate is less than 1% which is really low. You have to decide for yourself if it's worth the risk to have WLS and come out healthy and happy or to continue living this way. Considering the prospect of death is normal but I'm here to tell you it's worth the risk! I am 29, started out at 288, have the same family history, I had no comorbs and I am now down 43 lbs. (2 mos post op.). I did know a woman who passed away about 5 days before my surgery (stressful!) but she was older and had a history of blood clots. I'm sure you'd be fine, the odds are in your favor.
   — Melanie N.

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