About complications/risks - ThinnerTimes

StacyBee160 · 01-18-2007, 07:36 AM

OK, so I know what the complications and risks are, and that the number of deaths resulting from gastric bypass surgery is anywhere from .5 - 2/100, depending on where you look.

What I'm wondering is, do the serious complications tend to occur more often in people who are more overweight and/or already in very bad health? Does anyone know if there's any corrolation, or if any studies have been done?

Thanks!

Zenomia · 01-18-2007, 07:50 AM

Of course there is a correlation. The higher the weight of the patient or the poorer the health, the higher the risk for that patient in ANY surgery, not just WLS. That is one of the major misconsceptions that drives me nuts. IT's NOT just WLS that has these complications when dealing with surgery. Any general anethestisa surgery has these type of risks associated with obesity and the types of comorbidities that obese people have. A gall bladder removal surgery is very similar in complications as WLS, yet you don't hear people freak out about. This is where education and research become your best friend.

Now, that said, I don't have a specific study or chart to point to, this is just my view based on my own personal research. Bear in mind that each Surgeon has his own stats. Mine for instance has had NO deaths. This is in part because they screen patients vigorously before accepting them into the program. I don't belive my Surgeon works on the Super Morbidly Obese Patient. Because of this weight limit, and program guidelines, there is a reduction in 'surprises' that happen in surgery..therefore giving better outcomes. Choosing the RIGHT surgeon/Center is KEY!

fitbefore40 · 01-18-2007, 08:08 AM

Stacy, my doctor does surgery on the super morbidly obese (SMO) - his largest patient that I've seen in support group was probably in the 700-800 pound range (wheelchair bound patients are not uncommon in my doc's pratice).

My doc has never lost anyone on the table, but he has had 1 death due to post surgical complications. (Respiratory Distress issue - she was a SMO and the was considered anesthesia related - but my doctor tells all of his patients about it) My doctor has been doing these surgeries for a long time - over 3000 of them - so his mortality rate is much lower than the average - but he tell every patient going in - the mortality rate for this procedure is 1 in 200. It is what it is.

Personally, I've had a lot of surgeries and was not concerned with initial surgery and anesthesia, but I was concerned with complications. I had an ulcer, not much of a complication, but a painful one.

Good luck with your research - learn as much as you can and ask questions!!

eyesthatkissu · 01-18-2007, 08:26 AM

The answer to this question is yes. But that is as with any surgery. When you go into a major surgery with currently exsisiting major health problems, your risks of complications drastically increase. At my first educational seminar with Dr. C, he said that the patients he had lost at that time were either over 400 pounds, or had severe health risks going in. And there was one who was a smoker, and didn't tell him so. It's very important to weigh ALL the risks and benefits before comiting to this surgery, as there are no guarantees.

Bella · 01-18-2007, 08:57 AM

I agree with the others - especially Zenomia.

ANY surgery is risky and if you are SMO and particularly if you have any other problems because of your weight, and yes it is more of a risk.

I've read 1 death in 200 and that person will typically be SMO with other health complications.

Now, if you are just regular MO

or even Severely Obese

- it's no more dangerous than gallbladder surgery - but no, noone gets upset over the risks associated with that kind of surgery. It's lask of education.

My doctor is well known in the WLS community in Europe and has perforned over 6,000 wls. One reason I feel good about his assessment is because he says I am no where near the 'danger for surgery' weight.

StacyBee160 · 01-18-2007, 09:01 AM

Thanks, you gals! I guess what I was getting at was, is it the surgery itself that is the problem, or is it the person's health as it is already. Sounds like it's more an existing health problem issue associated with having surgery in general, rather than the procedure itself directly causing death or major issues, for the most part. That's what I suspected... thanks again!

JenBear7 · 01-18-2007, 03:06 PM

I read somewhere that the mortality rate used to be .5%, but the demographics are expanding. It is not just young - middle aged women having the surgery. More men are having the surgery, and more people beyond "middle" age.. apparently those are the two demographics that have caused this to go up.. (I may have actually watched this in one of the medical seminars the hospital I chose have online... I was snooping around their site.. and since they are an educational hospital.. they have these continuing education credits that anyone can view.. kind of intersting actually.. gave alot of the hospital financial aspects of surgery. )

ready4achange · 01-18-2007, 08:47 PM

I know that when someone in our support group asked they mentioned that when there were complications it usually had to do with a comorbidity etc. high blood pressure, heart problems.
I had an infection a few days after being discharged. I was back in the hospital for a week being loaded with antibiotics. I didn't have a fever just the smell was bad. I had to go back to the O.R a few times to have the infection "cleaned out". I consider that my 'bump in the road" on my way to a new and healthier life.
Sandy

buffsrule76 · 01-18-2007, 09:03 PM

ok, so i'm over 400lbs barely and have diabetes and have had my bloodpressure come down with medication and my cholestorol came down as well but the the one that only comes down with exercise has not. am i more apt to complications??

kittens4 · 01-18-2007, 10:34 PM

Anyone can have complications. I was healthy....no diabetes/no high b/p/etc. I am 5'4" and weighed 230 on surgery day. Still, I developed a blockage 1 week out, had to have a 2nd surgery, then the pneumonia, had to be hospitalized again....so, it can happen to anyone...no matter what your health issues are. My friend is in the hospital now...she had her surgery in May, and has now developed a small bowel obstruction. I sat with her tonight and held her hand while they put the ng tube in. That was no fun. Still, the complications that can arise are mild compared to the complications of morbid obesity..in my opinion. I know lots of people who have had no problems at all! You may be the lucky one...you may not...it's a total crap shoot! (No pun intended). Best of luck to you. Make an informed decision...it's a BIGGIE!!!!