Can you die from a bypass surgery??

My brother is 14, 4'10, and 80 pounds. He went to the doctor yesterday to get a checkup to see why he hadnt hit his growth spurt and they found something wrong with his heart. They said that the vales (sp?) werent connected and all they have to do is give him bypass surgery and connect them. I think its bad, but my mom wont really tell me anything. All I want to know is can you die from bypass surgery or a percentage of chance you have to live. Something like that. And please no rude answers, Im worried. Thanks.

As others have said there is always a risk but at his age there should be no problems and his health will be greatly improved after the operation. It will be almost like having a new body. It is well worth whatever small risk is involved

Well, ALL surgeries carry risks. Yes, he could die, BUT, folks have died from "simple" appendectomies, or tonsillectomies, etc.

Sorry about your brother...but anytime you are put under anesthesia, you can die. It is unlikely that anything will happen, so just pray for your brother and to calm yourself and most likely he'll be better than new when it's over.

Yes but it seldom happens

Yeh, but it is rare in this day in time, especially with someone so young.

I am sorry for your family :(

The operation is very routine. There is always risk, but thousands of these types of operations are done all over the country.. I had an artery bypassed and was fine :)
My little bro had to have a valve repaired (his wasnt working so good - would make him pass out), and he is fine too.

Be brave, be supportive for him. It is scary for sure, but those docs really do know what they are doing.

Hang in there..good luck

Yes, but you can die from crossing the street or by getting hit by lightening too. Generally whenever a medical decision has to be made the key is to weigh the risks versus the benefits. If he is having major medical problems then undergoing this procedure will be worth the risk. It is always a good idea to make sure that the best pediatric cardiac surgeon is used and to choose a hospital with a very good reputation. It is perfectly ok to ask how many of this particular surgery the doctor has done and to check out the doctor and hospital's performance records. I am sure that your mom is very worried too. I hope that your brother does fine. Cardiac surgery on children is quite common these days but that does not make it any less scary!
(I had heart surgery for a congenital defect when I was 27 and my surgeon was a pediatric cardiac surgeon - cause the local docs had never done a procedure quite like mine at that time)