Philadelphia Gastric Bypass Surgery Malpractice Lawyer

Gastric bypasses are among the most common types of bariatric surgeries performed nationwide, with tens of thousands of patients in the United States undergoing this procedure every year. Generally speaking, this surgery is fairly effective at producing long-lasting and safe weight loss for recipients. However, like all surgical procedures, a gastric bypass can be dangerous if not performed properly or if the doctors do not meet the standard of care expected of them under state law.

If you have suffered serious physical harm due to complications from gastric bypass, you should strongly consider reaching out to a Philadelphia gastric bypass surgery malpractice lawyer to discuss your legal options. You may have limited time to build and file a comprehensive lawsuit against the people responsible for your injuries, so call Marrone Law Firm, LLC today to see how our malpractice attorneys could assist you.

What Risks Are Associated with Gastric Bypass Surgery?

As the name suggests, gastric bypass surgery involves redirecting the esophagus to bypass most of the stomach and connect more directly to the small intestine, reducing the total amount of food the stomach can hold and limiting calorie intake as a result. Given that this is a fairly extreme weight loss measure, it is generally only recommended for people with body mass indexes (BMIs) of 40 or more or people with BMIs between 30 and 40 with severe weight-related health problems like high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, or heart disease.

While most gastric bypass patients do not encounter any serious complications following the procedure, some may experience:

• “Dumping syndrome,” occurring when the stomach empties into the small intestine too quickly and causes symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, changes in heart rate, and dizziness
• Anastomotic leak, or a gap in the connection between the stomach pouch created during the procedure and the small intestine, which results in digestive fluids leaking into the abdomen
• Peritonitis and other forms of inflammation or infection in the abdomen, often stemming directly from an anastomotic leak
• Pulmonary embolism, in which blood clots move up from the leg(s) into the lung(s) and impede blood flow

A failure to promptly diagnose and properly treat these and similar complications could serve as grounds for a lawsuit. A Philadelphia gastric bypass surgery malpractice attorney could help you determine who is responsible for your complications and act accordingly.

Filing Suit Over Gastric Bypass Complications

In addition, it is sometimes alternatively possible to sue after a gastric bypass over a doctor’s failure to provide adequate warnings about the procedure’s risks, instructions for healthy post-op nutritional habits, or sanitary conditions during the surgery itself. These scenarios all stem directly from a doctor’s breach of the “standard of care” applicable to them, based on what another equally qualified physician would have done while working under the same conditions.

Importantly, suing a doctor over an alleged violation of their standard of care requires not only a formal complaint filed in state court but also a “certificate of merit” that includes a signed affirmation from a licensed medical professional stating they believe the case has merit. This is one of many unique procedural requirements for gastric bypass surgery malpractice claims in Philadelphia which a capable lawyer could provide vital help complying with.

Get Help from a Philadelphia Gastric Bypass Surgery Malpractice Attorney Today

Gastric bypasses are largely a voluntary procedure, but that does not mean you forfeit your right to receive safe, high-quality medical treatment from every physician involved in your care. If you did not receive the level of care you deserved and have suffered a significant injury or illness as a result, you have help available from experienced legal counsel to begin understanding and enforcing your right to civil recovery.

A Philadelphia gastric bypass surgery malpractice lawyer who has handled similar claims successfully in the past could be an irreplaceable ally throughout your legal proceedings. Call Marrone Law Firm, LLC today to learn more.