Question:
I have just been told by a friend that works at a local hospital that 3 baratic
surgery patients has died from the surgery and a 4th one is nursing home bound. I would like to ask, How accurate is the 1% death rate? What is that percentage based on and who and when was it determined? Thanks for the information — Judy W. (posted on March 28, 2002)
March 27, 2002
I found out that many times they attribute deaths to other causes. and not
put the blame on the surgery; I will still have the surgery but you should
hear both sides. write me for a link I thought was pro surgery and it
wasn't.
— meechi33823
March 27, 2002
Over what period of time? How many WLS patients have they had. If their
rate of death is high there you may want to choose to have surgery
elsewhere.
— Candace F.
March 27, 2002
I hate to sound like a broken record, but statistics are meaningless.
There is someone posting on the message board about a 654 who needs surgery
and no one will operate, and this is why. If the doctor dares have
compassion for these at risk patients, his statistics will be out of wack
to the national average and he will lose possible new cases, and in some
areas actually get investigated. Your probability of surviving WLS is only
relevant to your situation and of course the skill and experience of your
surgeon.
— faybay
March 27, 2002
If that happened all at the same hosptial and the same doctor that would be
a red flag for me. Those stats are enormous for one hospital. Or what is
the time frame, is this over 10-20 years or what? Hospitals are different
in what they can do and handle. There is one small town one where I live
that was going to just let my uncle die, because they were only able to do
a certain amount with what they had. We quickly transfered him to a large
equipt hospital and they had him back up and running in 24 hours. Do your
homework on the hosptial and doctor.
— ZZ S.
March 27, 2002
My surgeon says a .4 percent death rate. Dont panic. Yes bad things can
happen, But your risk itsnt necessarily someone elses. A 700 pound person
whos been dibetic for 30 years and 60 years old isnt as low as a 300 lb 30
year old, Then too you MUST follow your surgeons orders to get up and walk
etc! ALL of this makes for YOUR RISK FACTORS which are just for YOU!
— bob-haller
March 27, 2002
When I interviewed my doctor he said he has lost 5 patience's since 2000
out of 200 (2.5%) and the overall group of surgeons had a less than 2%
death rate. The reasons varied but the main causes were non-surgery
related. I believe when you go over 400lbs you run a risk of walking
around. I am schedule for surgery in 6 weeks and this was a huge concern of
mine but it is a risk I am going to take. My grandfather always told me
"If you were meant to be hung you won't be shot".
— Damian M.
March 28, 2002
If this is a hospital you plan on having the surgery performed, I would ask
some more questions. There could be 4 surgeons performing the surgery, and
they each had a fatality. ANd, just like many people said, ask the weight
of the people who went in, most likely they were above 400 pounds and had
serious problems that could cause death for ANY surgery. If you're
concerned, ask questions, the surgeons and hospitals will be honest.
Goodluck!
— Lezlie Y.
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