So I am new here, but know after much research I am doing lap band with plication. Tonight I went to my seminar even though I already made my choice, and she said that the death rates were 1 in 2000. I know that sometimes these surgeries are performed on very sick, end of the line patients who need help and that skews the numbers, but this really freaks me out. I am still going to go through with surgery after my 6 month diet is over, but 1/2000 feels like a huge risk to take . I really don't want to leave my family behind, I mean, isn't that the reason we are doing this to begin with?

It doesn't help that I had a dream a couple nights ago that I the grimm reaper came down and got my soul from surgery and I died.

Ugh, I know its responsible to know the risk, but I almost wish I didnt!

Mary that is very good to know thanks much! I did ask about death rates and they said that it usually happens post op not during surgery. I suppose I will just be super vigilant about walking, leg exercise etc...

I am just starting the process, had my initial appointment today. But I work in healthcare, and my advice is to follow doctor's orders. Walk and move around as they recommend after surgery, because it reduces your risk of blood clots. Keep in mind that a lot of the preop tests that you have to go through are to make sure there isn't some underlying problem that will cause complications. Good luck!

Last fall, I also asked my Dr. if he had ever lost a patient in all his years of practice. He truthfully replied that he had never lost a patient due to the band , but 2 had passed away not too long after they were banded due to other health problems. Fair enough answer. I dont assume that just because somebody has the letters MD after their name that they know everything. I did my homework, researched and asked questions, so when i made my decision, it was based on knowledge, not just assumption. i think if you have done all your homework, you'll be less likely to worry about problems. Personaly, Id rather take the tiny risk of dying during surgery than the huge risk of dying from obesity related problems. So, my getting banded ?? Best decision i ever made. Good luck !

Most of us will die sooner, If we don't try and better our health by surgery. A simple gallbladder removal can have a bad outcome. And the 1 person who died probably had a weaken heart and very high blood pressure for many years. Sometimes we wait to long to correct a problem.

In probably less than a month or so, hopefully I will have Lapband surgery. I look at my "older" parents father 91 years old and normal weight, my mother at 87 years old and normal weight. I want to live a long time but I won't if I continue to carry this additional 100-150 pounds on my body. Best wishes and God Bless to all who attempt to better their lives.

You will find that as u begin to get healtheir and lose weight and not be eating junk food etc etc , u wont be anywhere near as prone to catching bugs /flu than u were believe me

Bands do not slip that often, and mostly its due to sustained vomiting/regurtitation over a much longer period of time than a short illness, bands can slip with a bad bout of vomiting, but its more likely because the band is too tight and there is a longer history of regurgitating food on a regular basis .

This is what my surgeon told me too, that some of the tales of disaster over the band are due to poor maintenance by the owner, theylike to be too tight and be sick all the time then complain when something goes wrong ..