Feeling sad, yesterday a long time friend died of complications of wls. She had the gastric by pass in 2002 I believe and lost alot of weight but she was still considered overweight. Last year she had the sleeve and had complications. I am recently sleeved 4/2014 and just feel so in awe about her dying. I KNOW that there are always complications and risk with any surgery. I am just down and nervous and do not want to make any mistakes or have any complications.Feeling some type of way......I NEVER KNEW ANYONE who has died from WLS.

There were a lot of people who have died from gastric bypass but I do not hear about it with the sleeve...but you could die from having any surgery. Do you know what her complications were after having the sleeve surgery?

Feeling sad, yesterday a long time friend died of complications of wls. She had the gastric by pass in 2002 I believe and lost alot of weight but she was still considered overweight. Last year she had the sleeve and had complications. I am recently sleeved 4/2014 and just feel so in awe about her dying. I KNOW that there are always complications and risk with any surgery. I am just down and nervous and do not want to make any mistakes or have any complications.Feeling some type of way......I NEVER KNEW ANYONE who has died from WLS.

I am so sorry. That just breaks my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you and this is so sad.

My condolences to you. I have not been close to anyone that passed from wls however, a lady in our community passed some years ago from having it done. I believe she had bypass but I am not sure. Of course, we sign a waiver that it could happen...a chance we all took. I must admit that I informed my daughter of where all my important papers were and what to do in case. I was a little scared but KNEW I to do it or I would have been dead anyway soon. I wish peace to you.

I'm so sorry to hear your friends passing.

You have my deepest sympathies and I am so sorry for your loss.

As previous posters stated, it is a risk. I have four children and researched the mortality rate for this procedure ceaselessly. Even as I shopped around for doctors, I asked and researched their individual mortality rates. At the time, when I first started this journey, this was one of the articles that I came across:

http://asmbs.org/2012/06/new-studies-weigh-in-on-safety-and-effectiveness-of-newer-bariatric-and-metabolic-procedure-sleeve-gastrectomy-demonstrates-weight-loss-and-safety-comparable-to-more-established-procedures

It basically states that risk of mortality is highest within the first 30 days and that deaths in this time period is less than 1%. This study was done on patients who had undergone weight loss surgery between 2007 and 2010. I am sure stats have changed, but for many the risk of remaining obese definitely out ways risks of surgery.

Edited May 8, 201412 yr by Curvy

Feeling sad, yesterday a long time friend died of complications of wls. She had the gastric by pass in 2002 I believe and lost alot of weight but she was still considered overweight. Last year she had the sleeve and had complications. I am recently sleeved 4/2014 and just feel so in awe about her dying. I KNOW that there are always complications and risk with any surgery. I am just down and nervous and do not want to make any mistakes or have any complications.Feeling some type of way......I NEVER KNEW ANYONE who has died from WLS.

That is really horrible to hear about your friend. I am sorry for your loss and your friend's family's loss. But, question, she had bypass then the sleeve? Not possible. Perhaps they did a revision or something on her pouch or intestines to correct damage. All surgical interventions carry risks, and revision/corrective surgeries even more so unfortunately. The best way you can honor your friend's memory is by taking care of yourself, physically and emotionally, and making the most out of your weight loss journey and your life in general. Each day is a blessing and an opportunity. Best wishes.

I don't believe you can go from bypass to sleeve, I think it is not physically possible. Perhaps you can find out more before worrying too much that the same thing will happen to you. Sending hugs.

Sorry to hear.....

Her family said it was the duodenal switch.........I thought if you already had the gastric bypass and you got sleeved that is called duodenal switch...Not sure.

I know we were all told we could DIE and about all the complications. I am just sad because I never knew anyone to die of the WLS and Im just nervous and want to do good and have good results.

Thanks everyone for your concerns/post.

Duodenal switch is a sleeve plus intestinal re routing. It is a much riskier procedure, I believe stats show it is the riskiest of all weight loss surgeries. Most insurance companies won't cover it because it is so high risk. The surgery centers around here refuse to do that surgery. I wouldn't worry, she had a different procedure than you, plus had already had bypass, which is also riskier and more complications than the sleeve. I'm sorry she passed but try not to let it affect your decisions and weight loss journey.