The best data from the best gastric bypass surgeons has been published in JAMA’s theme issue this week.

Results are from 1997-2002 for people covered by Medicare. Average age at operation of 47, and three-quarters women. Twenty percent were re-admitted to the hospital after a year.

If you were over the age of 65, one of 9 were dead after a year. If you were under 65, one of 25 were dead after a year.

Side effects of malnutrition, infection, and bowel and gallbladder problems are one thing, but serious risk of death is another.

Bariatric surgery–something to weigh.