Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Atlanta
Gastric sleeve surgery is a type of bariatric procedure in which 75 to 80 percent of a patient’s stomach is removed. Also known as a sleeve gastrectomy, this surgery is one of the most performed bariatric procedures in the country.
Despite its popularity, there are some risks associated with gastric sleeve surgery in Atlanta. If your medical provider commits an error while operating on you, you should seek legal help from a skilled malpractice attorney.
What are the Advantages of Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
There are several advantages to undergoing a sleeve gastrectomy. Patients can lose up to 65 percent excess body weight, and there is a faster recovery time than with a traditional gastric bypass procedure.
There are also claims that patients who have had gastric sleeve surgeries have fewer problems with the absorption of nutrients and vitamins and the dumping syndrome than people who have had the gastric bypass procedure. Unfortunately, if the medical provider performing the surgery makes a mistake, the gastric sleeve patient may not see any of these benefits and may suffer from complications.
Common Issues Associated with Sleeve Gastrectomy in Atlanta
There are many potential errors in a gastric sleeve surgery that could lead to a valid malpractice lawsuit. In bariatric procedures, issues typically arise when the surgical team fails to recognize and respond to issues appropriately. Medical providers may also fail to diagnose problems during the immediate post-operative period.
What are the Potential Short-Term and Long-Term Complications?
Complications that may arise during or shortly after the procedure include excessive bleeding, anesthesia errors, infection, and breathing problems. Long-term symptoms of a complication include:
- Obstructions,
- Leaks,
- Hernias,
- Malnutrition issues, and
- Vomiting.
If a patient is experiencing symptoms that could be related to a medical error during the sleeve gastrectomy, he or she should seek medical attention to address the problem. Once the immediate issues are addressed, the patient should reach out to a lawyer right away.
In the most severe cases, the patient may lose his or her life. A compassionate attorney could work with family members of deceased patients to file a gastric sleeve surgery error claim.
Unique Aspects of Bariatric Surgery Cases
Like many bariatric cases, the patients who seek gastric sleeve surgery often have complicated medical histories. Patients may have been living with high blood pressure or diabetes prior to the procedure.
In these situations, the lawyer representing the negligent medical provider may argue that the patient’s preexisting conditions caused the complications or that the person was already suffering from a diminished quality of life. A determined lawyer could build a strong case against the gastric sleeve surgeon and prove the patient’s medical conditions were not a factor in the error and demonstrate his or her suffering as a result of the error.
Retain a Lawyer for Cases Involving Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Atlanta
Medical malpractice cases involving gastric sleeve surgery in Atlanta can be particularly difficult to handle. In addition to the complexities of the legal system, injured patients must deal with the social stigma of bariatric surgeries.
At Warshauer Woodward Atkins, our team could perform a thorough investigation to determine whether you have a valid case and aggressively pursue the responsible parties. With the help of a trained legal professional, you could obtain justice through a settlement or verdict at trial.
