Femoral Artery Disease Bypass surgery...risks?

My mother in law is 86 and in need of an arterial bypass of the femoral artery on her left leg. The circulation is only 11% to the toe on the right hand side. She has an open sore on her toe which has cellulitis, which brought us here. The surgery is scheduled, but she is thinking about refusing surgery....what are the risks of NOT doing the surger vs. HAVING the surgery. Any information is welcomed to allow her to make this decision. She is scared of hospitals.

The dangers of not doing the surgery is infection, amputation, gangrene, and the infection can spread. She can ask to try angioplasty to open up the artery first if that would ease her some, it is much less invasive than the fem. bypass. But the doctor would have to take into consideration, length, severity, and which arteries are blocked. I've seen many people go through each of the procedures well. Just make sure the doctor has done the procedure before. Hope this helps a little.

As with any surgical procedure, complications can occur. Some possible complications may include, but are not limited to, the following:

myocardial infarction (heart attack)
cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart beats)
hemorrhage (bleeding)
wound infection
leg edema (swelling of the leg)
thrombosis (clot in the leg)
pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs)
bleeding at the catheter insertion site (usually the groin) after PTA procedure
blood clot or damage to the blood vessel at the insertion site (PTA)
restenosis (blockage in the blood vessels after PTA procedure)
nerve injury
graft occlusion (blockage in the graft used in bypass surgery)
Patients who are allergic to or sensitive to medications, contrast dyes, iodine, shellfish, or latex should notify their physician.

There may be other risks depending upon your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your physician prior to the procedure.