Question about mortality rate..

This may sound like a stupid question but when they give a mortality rate of 0.2% for WLS do they mean people that die on the table during surgery or is it complications related to surgery within like 30 days or something? Also I read something here recently about having a shortened life span due to RNY. For me I am at the end of my rope and need this surgery. I know that my life span will not only be extended because of weightloss but the quality will increase tremendously. But...my daughter is only 20...she weights 315 and is 6' tall, Yes she is overweight but I am overwhelmed with worry that she may not be making a wise decision at this point in her life. Of course I realize the probablity of her getting to and maintaining a healthy weight without the sugery is slim (nil). And I tell myself that had I had this surgery at her age my life may have been much much....less painful. Although she claims she has been doing her own research, I fear that she is just riding my coat tails here and is not considering everything that she should be. I have not encouraged nor discouraged this surgery for her, I am just trying to remain supportive. As time draws nearer for us I am getting really nervous! Advice....reassurance...PLEASE!

http://www.asbs.org/html/patients/bypass.html according to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery: .....

The risk of dying in the first month after a RYGBP from complications of the operation is about 0.2 to 0.5% in expert centers. Studies have demonstrated that the mortality rate from hospitals with a low experience with the procedure is far higher than that reported by expert centers. The American Society of Bariatric Surgeons fully supports the initiative of the Surgical Review Committee to establish rigid criteria to certify that hospitals with quality programs will be designated as a “Center of Excellence.” 

Complications of RYGBP:
Early: Anastomotic Leak Pulmonary embolism Wound infection Gastrointestinal hemorrhage Respiratory insufficiency Mortality	Late: Incisional hernia Bowel obstruction Internal hernia Stomal stenosis Micronutrient deficiencies Marginal ulcer

In my personal opinion ....the Lapband is safer but seems to be less effective Please check out their site!!!!

Well, it depends on who you're asking about the mortality rate, really.  If you ask the hospital, for instance, they will probably give you the statistic for immediate surgery mortality rate.  If you're getting the numbers from a surgeon, you want to ask that specifically. I always advise for your daughter to look at all 4 of the procedures (RNY, LapBand, VSG and DS) , for what worked for you may not necessarily be the best selection for her. 

The rate has been all over the place. I've heard 1 in 20, 1 in 50, 1 in 100.. and finally - recently when they did the story on 60 Minutes, they said 1 in 1000. That's a much better number! I cried and worried so much for months about it. I do not recommend browsing the memorial section here if you do not want to be scared (however there are people who died from reasons not relating to surgery). I had my surgery postponed for 6 months because my thyroid levels were off track, so that gave me a long time to think and find a peace within myself. I went into surgery so very calm and relaxed. :) I've often wondered about the life expectancy of a person who's had WLS.. but have only gone on what, or rather who, I know. My SIL had surgery in the 80s and is into her 60s now. Granted her surgery was a different one, they still rerouted the intestines. The rate is based on the first 30 days and complications that could arise - I was so happy to make it past 30 days.. I celebrated! My only complication was not being able to breath afterwards - I had so much fluid around my lungs from the IVs that they had to give me liquid lasix 2x to get it off. It was pretty scary to wake up in my bed the next day and feel like I weighed a ton and couldn't walk or breath! That being said.. I don't really have any regrets with this surgery.. I might have looked into other surgeries better though. I did look at lapband, but decided against it because I was already diabetic and had high blood pressure (notice I said was and had). My RNY "cured" or put me into remission. For your daughter - if she is young and willing to work at it, but doesn't want a permanent change.. I'd suggest she look into the lapband further. She has alot of "growing" yet to do. It's reversible and she could potentially lose a great deal of weight over time if she's very focused. And as I always mention - I blog about everything. I had surgery in March, if you want to see how I was feeling from then on out.. or even before then.. check it out, just go to my archives. Best of luck to you and your daughter!

I congratulate you for not becoming too frightened at the statistics to be willing to research the subject.  The numbers do not often tell the whole story....how high was the bmi, what other health problems existed, how competent was the surgeon, how good was the screening process, etc.?  There as so many factors involved.  Please continue to be supportive for your daughter.  This has to be her parade for herself.  She needs love and support every day in the journey.  As a mom, it is always hard to watch your kid (no matter how old) go through anything difficult, but wls is such a hopeful move to a happy  future for her.

Thank you all for the input and support. We are having surgery on the same day at an extremely reputable hopital that has a large and well developed bariatric center. As for my daughter she origionally wanted to have the lap band, but her pc strongly recommended RNY calling it the gold standard with much more statistics available to support the efficacy of the surgery. I have a very positive attitude toward the entire thing, but that ol' anxiety comes a knockin' at the worst times.  Thanks again and I will keep you all posted.

I second Val's recommendation that you and your daughter look into the DS BEFORE going under the knife. It's been shown to give much better long-term results, especially for those patients with a beginning BMI of greater than 50.