Greg Pettis died following weight-loss surgery, but experts call deaths after such procedures rare

Three months ago, former Cathedral City Mayor Greg Pettis told his 3,000-plus friends on Facebook about his plans for the day. 

"On the way to the hospital," he wrote on Oct. 12. "Doc is sharpening his scalpel!" 

The post got 51 comments, including one asking Pettis why he was headed there.

"Am OK," Pettis replied. "A biopsy and bariatric surgery."

Pettis, 63, died Tuesday from complications related to his gastric bypass surgery, his family said. The weight-loss surgery is one of many that are collectively known as bariatric surgery. 

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Though details surrounding his procedure and complications aren't known, weight-loss surgeries, in general, are mostly successful and the mortality rate has fallen significantly in recent years, experts said. 

Though weight-loss procedures do pose some short- and long-term health risks, according to the Mayo Clinic, the mortality rate for bariatric surgery has declined in the past 10 or 15 years from about 1 percent to 0.1 percent, said Keith Scharf, director of bariatric surgery at Loma Linda University Health.

The risk of dying following a weight-loss surgery is lower than in gallbladder and hip-replacement surgeries, according to The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Weight-loss surgeries work by limiting the amount of food the stomach can hold. One of the most common surgeries is gastric bypass.

The smaller stomach pouch that is created by the procedure holds smaller meals and leads to fewer calories being consumed, the society said. By redirecting where food travels, gut hormones are changed and help individuals quell hunger. 

Some of the health risks associated with weight-loss procedures include excessive bleeding, blood clots and gastrointestinal leaks, according to the Mayo Clinic. Possible long-term side effects include bowel obstructions, stomach perforation and ulcers.

Typically, surgeries are attempted after a patient has already tried other ways to lose weight.

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Risk factors include obesity itself, which doctors now consider a chronic disease. Others include coronary artery disease, diabetes and sleep apnea.

Studies have also looked at whether older patients have higher mortality risks, but outcomes have appeared to be the same regardless of age, said Scharf, who is also an associate professor of surgery at Loma Linda University School of Medicine.

"Overall, these surgeries can be done safely and effectively," he said. The risks of living with obesity, which reduces life expectancy and carries risk of sudden death, "far outweigh the risks of surgery."

Scharf advised patients to seek out accredited bariatric surgery centers and consult with doctors before deciding on bariatric surgery.

On Friday, Feb. 1, Cathedral City will hold a ceremony honoring Pettis' passing. The ceremony will be at 10 a.m. at Big League Dreams Sports Park, Sports Pavillion, 33700 Date Palm Drive, and guests will be able to park at the adjacent Cathedral City Public Library or at the city’s downtown parking lot, from which a shuttle will be available to transport them to the ceremony.