You may be concerned about gastric bypass surgery risks. You *should* be concerned about gastric bypass surgery risks. It is important that you fully understand both the pros and cons of gastric bypass surgery. This is not a minor procedure. Gastric bypass risks are very serious. The worst case scenario of gastric bypass involves death.
Gastric bypass mortality rates fluctuate depending on where the study came from. The gastric bypass death rate is roughly somewhere between 1%-3%.
"Recent studies of gastric bypass surgeries in Washington show an increased likelihood of complications. Specifically for Medical Assistance Administration (MAA) clients following gastric bypass surgery, recent statistics show a 2.1% in-hospital mortality rate (compared to 0.9% for all other patients in Washington State) and a 3.6% 30-day mortality rate following the surgery (compared to 1.7% in all other Washington State patients). The mortality rates for MAA clients in both instances are more than double that of other patients. The national mortality rate from peer-reviewed literature for gastric bypass surgery is between 0% and 1%."
[ http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/101-04-12-093.html ]
The primary gastric bypass surgery risk is simply due to the physical condition of patients. Morbid obesity means there is greater risk of complications from surgery. This is the irony of gastric bypass. You have gastric bypass to avoid death and health problems but the procedure itself puts you at risk for these things. That being said, studies seem to indicate that those that have gastric bypass end up living longer than they would in their previous physical condition.
Those that choose to undergo gastric bypass have decided that the pros outweigh the cons. For them the rewards outweigh the risks of gastric bypass surgery. Gastric bypass surgery complications are real but so is the opportunity of a changed lifestyle.
Gastric bypass is not an "easy way out." Gastric bypass complications and risks make the procedure far riskier than traditional weight loss methods. Before you are eligible to undergo gastric bypass you will be screened to ensure that the benefits will weigh properly with the risks for you.
