Obesity surgery death rates are low, study finds

But it is still IMHO malpractice.

"Federal guidelines say obesity surgery shouldn't be considered unless someone has tried conventional ways to shed pounds and has a BMI over 40, or a BMI over 35 plus a weight-related medical problem like diabetes or high blood pressure."

What patients are never told, is that the diet they were placed on, i.e., the "conventional way," was doomed to fail from the start.

This means that they were offered a Hobson's choice, i.e., no choice at all.

Therefore, they could not provide an informed consent - they were never informed of a "reasonable alternative" to the surgery, i.e., a possible weight loss program.

As to death rates...maybe yes, maybe no. Studies are dependent on the population and other conditions like the type of procedure.

But death is only one consideration. Others are the failure and the redo rates.

These are still powerful arguments against this form of IMHO malpractice.

And no matter what the death, success or redo rates are, it is certain that weight loss without surgery is always better.