Higher Mortality Rate Reported for Gastric Bypass, Adjustable Gastric Bands are Safer
Tuesday November 17 2009posted by Adam - Total Comments: 0
First, let me remind all our readers that we do not do gastric bypass surgeries. We specialize in adjustable gastric band surgeries, because we believe they are a safe and effective tool for weight loss when used correctly.
This morning I read this piece on the mortality rate of gastric bypass on one of my favorite sources for commentary on the latest weight loss surgery studies.
Sue comments on a study (registration required) that revealed that 2 percent of gastric bypass patients died within 30 days, another 3.6 percent died within 90 days of surgery and another 5 percent died within a year of surgery. This comes soon after news that mortality rates were down for weight loss surgery in general. The new information matches up nicely with Sue's take on that news: the overall weight loss surgery mortality rates were down not because gastric bypass got safer but because the LAP-BAND is safer, and more people are getting gastric band surgery these days.