I am new and I'm seriously constantly getting weight loss surgery. A lot of people have warned me against it saying it's too risky. Telling me I could die and everything of that nature. I'm scared but it is really something I am wanting to do. I'm hoping that others who have went before me can give me some insights. Thanks in advance

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I am new and I'm seriously constantly getting weight loss surgery. A lot of people have warned me against it saying it's too risky. Telling me I could die and everything of that nature. I'm scared but it is really something I am wanting to do. I'm hoping that others who have went before me can give me some insights. Thanks in advance
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Considering ***

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A lot of the people around you are uninformed around weight loss surgery. Go to an information session, then chat to a surgteon about your circumstances and what surgery may work well for you, discuss with the surgeon complications rates, risks etc and go from there.

It's not to say that some people don't have significant issues following weight loss surgery and indeed some have passed away, but usually there are extenuating circumstances.

well, people have died from tonsillectomies and wisdom tooth extraction, but then...how many people are we talking about? Your chances of dying are higher than THAT, but the mortality rate is 0.3% of dying from gastric bypass, and lower for the sleeve (I can't remember the rate for the sleeve, other than it's lower). So you have at least a 99.7% chance of NOT dying, which I'd say are excellent odds.

I think a lot of people - esp oldsters like me - remember the old intestinal bypasses and other weight-reducing surgeries they did 30+ years ago, and yes, those WERE risky. But the surgeries they do now are very different - and they're really no more risky than having your gall bladder out. They're safer than hip replacement surgeries, which are done every day.

just do your research. I was very surprised when I did - my perceptions of weight loss surgery were proven wrong, and I'm so glad I had it done.

Start with talking to your regular doctor. He/She will have a great idea whether or not it's a good fit for you. If you disagree, get a second opinion. Most doctors embrace weight loss surgery now when the appropriate criteria are met. Talk to your doctor about benefits-vs-risks for your specific situation and health.

Edited March 9, 20215 yr by Creekimp13

@catwoman7 I just had my pre-op with my surgeon last week - I am fairly sure he said the fatality rate of the gastric sleeve is also 0.3%.

What about the side effects like having gallbladder removed, dumping syndrome and hair loss? Is that pretty common across the board?

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dumping syndrome affects about 30% of RNYers, supposedly. I've never dumped and know many people who haven't - and for those who do, it can be controlled by limiting (and for some, avoiding) sugar (some people dump on fat, but sugar is the major culprit). It does happen with sleevers, but it's not as common as it is with RNYers

I don't know how many people have to have their gall bladders removed - some, yes - but I don't know too many who have.

hair loss - very common. But it's temporary - and many of us don't lose enough for others to notice (but WE notice it, of course!). I think I can speak for most vets by saying in retrospect, it was a minor annoyance and a small price to pay.