Fulton County Bariatric Surgery Lawyer
Bariatric surgeries are procedures that help patients lose weight. However, when a medical provider commits an error during this type of procedure, the patient can suffer severe short-term and long-term damages.
If you underwent a bariatric surgery and suffered injuries due to a medical error, call a Fulton County bariatric surgery lawyer today. The skilled attorneys at our firm can assist in you gathering evidence and pursuing a claim against the at-fault party.
What are the Different Types of Bariatric Surgery?
There are several types of bariatric surgery. The most common are gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric banding and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.
Gastric Bypass or “The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass”
The Roux-en-Y is the most common surgery and is considered by many to be the gold standard for bariatric surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision across the top of the patient’s stomach and seals that section off from the rest of the stomach.
The surgeon then leaves a walnut-sized pouch in the stomach to hold food. Lastly, the surgeon makes an incision that allows food to travel directly from the pouch into the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
In this procedure, which is also quite common, the vast majority of the stomach is removed, leaving a small tube-shaped stomach that looks like a banana. The new stomach pouch holds a lot less food and leads to fewer calories consumed.
Gastric Banding
This surgery involves an inflatable band placed near the top of the stomach which creates a small pouch above the band, and the rest of the stomach remains below the band. Again, the key concept is that the smaller pouch leads to less food and caloric intake. Unlike other procedures, this surgery does not involve cutting the stomach or rerouting the intestines.
Biliopancreatic Diversion with a Duodenal Switch
The BPD/DS is a less common bariatric procedure that is more akin to the gastric sleeve. In this surgery, the majority of the patient’s stomach is removed, leaving a small banana-shaped pouch to hold food. The pouch is connected to the end of the intestine, allowing food to bypass most of the intestine during digestion. A seasoned lawyer could assist injured patients regardless of the type of gastric bypass procedure they underwent.
Potential Consequences of a Bariatric Surgery Error in Fulton County
There are many risks associated with bariatric surgery. However, medical errors can significantly increase the patient’s chances of suffering harm. Potential issues during the procedure may include anesthesia errors, unintentional incisions on the wrong organ, and significant blood loss.
Post-Operative Issues
Errors during bariatric surgery can also lead to several post-operative complications, such as:
- Leaks,
- Infections,
- Malnutrition, and
- Bowel obstructions.
Dumping syndrome is also a common complication of bariatric procedures. This is a condition where the patient’s food goes directly into the small intestine without going through the digestive process. A patient might experience this if the surgeon made the pouch in the stomach incorrectly our routed the organs improperly.
In the worst cases, any of these complications could lead to the death of the patient. A compassionate attorney could help injured patients or surviving family seek justice after a bariatric surgery error by proving the medical provider deviated from the standard of care.
What Type of Compensation Could an Injured Party Receive?
In a bariatric surgery case, injured patients could receive compensation for all the losses they incurred as a result of the medical provider’s negligence. This can include:
- The costs of additional surgeries needed to correct the error,
- Lost wages due to missed time at work,
- The cost of rehabilitation,
- Pain and suffering, and
- Mental anguish.
If the procedure resulted in death, the surviving family members can seek restitution for the loss of their loved one. A dedicated lawyer could work with families to help recover the compensation they need after a failed bariatric surgery.
Speak with a Fulton County Bariatric Surgery Attorney
Like all surgeries, bariatric procedures pose some risks. However, any medical errors during the surgery can have severe consequences. If you or a family member were injured due to a medical provider’s negligent actions, contact a Fulton County bariatric surgery lawyer. Schedule a free consultation with a legal professional at Warshauer Woodward Atkins to discuss your case.
