1 in 50 Gastric Bypass Patients Die Within 1 Month - True?

Weight loss surgery has come a long way since it's introduction in the 1960's.  In fact according to a government report released in 2010, weight loss surgery has never been safer!  This is impressive when you consider that weight loss surgery patients can be some of the unhealthiest patients prior to their surgery and is a testament to improvements in surgical technique, instrumentation, and patient care.  In general, the risk of dying within 30 days after a... more

The mortality rate from gastric bypass surgery 10 years ago was approximately 1 in 200. Currently the national mortality from bariatric surgery is approximately 1 in 1000. Our laparoscopic techniques have improved as well as the instruments that we use. There have been multiple studies which have shown that the risks of staying morbidly obese are much greater than the risks of surgery.  I personally have never had anyone die from any bariatric procedure. 

That is completely false.  The national mortality rate for gastric bypass is 0.5%.  The risks of staying morbidly obese and dying is much greater than the risk of dying from gastric bypass surgery.