Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is one of four surgical operations that make up bariatric surgery used to treat obesity. Bariatric surgeries have helped numerous people lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle. Annually about 200,000 procedures are performed in the U.S. Any surgery has the potential for complications. Some of these complications are caused by malpractice during the procedure. If you or a loved one has been injured because of a gastric bypass procedure, contact Attorneys For All to determine whether you have a malpractice case or not. 

Gastric Bypass Surgery Complications

A major study concluded that around 15% of patients experienced complications after receiving gastric bypass surgery. Additionally, .5% of patients died after six months of the procedure. 

Common complications include:

  • Anastomotic Leakage- Gastric bypass surgery connects the stomach to the bowel. The connection is known as anastomosis. When the seal fails, it can release fluid from the gastrointestinal tract to the abdominal cavity. 
  • Infection- Contaminated medical devices, faulty incisions, and other errors can lead to infections on the abdomen or inside of them. 
  • Anastomotic Ulcer- This is the most common complication and is caused by smoking, bacteria, and restricted blood supply.
  • Anastomotic Stricture- When healing, the anastomosis can create scar tissue faster than the tract’s natural stretching process. This can cause certain foods and even liquids not to be able to pass through. 
  • Nutritional Deficiencies- This type of complication is typically the most challenging to detect. Gastric bypass surgery can hinder the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients, such as calcium and iron. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to several health effects.

Contact an Attorney Today 

Gastric bypass surgery requires precision and great skill on behalf of the doctor conducting the procedure. Even a minor misstep could result in severe health complications. If you or a loved one suffer from an injury caused by a medical professional, it could be the result of medical malpractice or negligence. Contact an attorney today to have your case evaluated. CALL US ANYTIME (281) 475-4535 or fill out a consultation form here to start the process.