Anne Laviner from Blair

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/26/00 4:55:57 AM Eastern Standard Time,

MiniGastricBypass (AT) egroups (DOT) com writes:

> Hello everyone,

>

> I have gained a lot of helpful info regarding the MGB. I would like to

> hear about Dr. R's patient that died after surgery. I have heard

> nothing but extremely good things, but I know that with this being major

> surgery, there is a risk involved. If someone would like to email me

> privately and share what they know, such as, were there already health

> complications with this individual or was it due to the surgery itself?

> I would appreciate just a little info, not an indepth description..

>

>

Hi, Anne:

It's important to note that the complications from this and almost any other

major surgery - not just weight loss surgery - can lead to death.

In the case of the woman who died: her name was (sp?), she was from

Iceland, and she had lost a significant amount of weight in order to be

eligible for the MGB. From what I understand in earlier posts, she died as

the result of a leak that occurred after surgery. Dr. Rutledge did all he

could to save her, but to no avail. She apparently had had other

life-threatening episodes during other surgeries prior to the MGB, and maybe

her body wasn't up to the strain caused by the leak. I don't want to guess

about it - I'm hoping that other postops who are more familiar with 's

case will fill with more accurate information.

It's a risk we all face. One of my very favorite people here, Betty Harrill,

suffered through a leak after her surgery. She had to stay almost two weeks

in the hospital. Now she's doing fine.

I hope you'll continue to ask questions on this list, until you've gotten all

the information you need to make a sound decision about the MGB. I'm glad I

chose to have this procedure. My complications have been minimal.

Best wishes,

Blair

MGB 8/9/00

275/230