What is gastric bypass surgery?

A gastric bypass is major surgery which divides the stomach and connects the intestines to it differently. The goal is to cause food to bypass the usual route through the digestive system. If food bypasses a major part of the stomach and duodenum (upper portion of the small intestine), and goes directly to the lower part of the small intestine, much less dietary fat is absorbed. Since the food goes to only a small section of the stomach, much less food can be eaten at one time. The rest of the stomach is stapled off and food is blocked from entering it.

When a person must eat less, and is unable to fully digest the little they can eat, they will be able to lose enormous amounts of weight. The gastric bypass surgery particularly cuts down on the digestion of fat, which of the three food types (protein, carbohydrates and fats) has the most calories.

A gastric bypass procedure is a last resort for a person who is unable to lose weight by exercising more and eating less.

Who is a good candidate for a gastric bypass?

Because gastric bypass surgery has become so popular in recent years, the selection of candidates has been affected. Usually a person goes to see a doctor because they have symptoms of something. The doctor then diagnoses and prescribes, or recommends a procedure. But with gastric bypass surgery, things often work the other way around. The person decides, not the doctor, which procedure should be done (namely, a gastric bypass). That person then looks for a doctor who will do it.

To add to this reversal of things, some surgeons have proclaimed their success by buying advertising, disseminating brochures, setting up websites, and giving free seminars. They invite people to come and enjoy the marvelous results that their previous patients have enjoyed, according to the attractive-looking testimonials they proffer.

In these ways, people may be led to have gastric bypass surgery when it was not advisable or appropriate, given their specific health conditions and history. This can be a basis for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Some health conditions are counter-indications for gastric bypass surgery. Heart disease or very high blood pressure, for instance, would make the surgery risky and possibly life-threatening.

Complications of gastric bypass surgery

All surgery brings risk and potential complications afterwards. Surgery on a morbidly obese person is more risky than average because such people usually suffer from other medical problems besides obesity. In addition, the gastric bypass complications can be severe and even life-threatening if not properly diagnosed and quickly treated.

Most often, the complications arise within the first two months after surgery. Possible problems are a hernia, rupture of the staples that close off the larger section of the stomach, incision infection, and pneumonia.

The most dangerous complications are:

• Peritonitis - from bleeding into the peritoneum (the abdominal cavity which holds the stomach and intestines). Peritonitis can also be caused by leaking of gastric fluid into the peritoneum. If these fluids start pooling, infection can set in and spread quickly.
• Pulmonary embolism - (a blood clot which has traveled from the surgical site to the lungs and blocks the pulmonary artery). This can severely damage the lung and even cause heart and lung failure. It happens less often than peritonitis, but can cause death more quickly.

Gastric bypass malpractice

It is best to choose a surgeon who has already done this type of procedure many times. Studies have shown that for this kind of procedure in particular, there is a learning curve with less experienced surgeons having much higher rates of complications.

The surgeon's response must be quick if the patient complains of any leakage symptoms. The leaking occurs through the stitching or staples and will cause pain in the left shoulder and back, restricted breathing, and frequent urination. Failing to respond quickly to these symptoms may be medical malpractice. An x-ray will often show the leak, but not always. If the x-ray shows no leak, but the patient complains of typical symptoms, exploratory surgery is necessary, and failure to do that may also be medical malpractice.

If you have had a gastric bypass and suffered complications from leakage or a pulmonary embolism, it would be wise to consult a medical malpractice lawyer. If you have a loved one who has lost his or her life after a gastric bypass surgery, you may have a valid wrongful death claim, and the sooner you consult an experienced medical malpractice lawyer, the sooner you can discover what recourse may be open to you.

Medical malpractice FAQs

There are many questions to be asked and answered, and you have your health to take care of. Why not let your medical malpractice lawyer take care of legal matters? You could potentially win compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and any permanent impairment you've suffered.

If you had a gastric bypass surgery, and are suffering from its negative consequences, contact Chicago malpractice lawyer Barry Doyle today for your free legal consultation. No recovery, no fee.

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