If you or a loved one suffered severe complications such as infection, perforation of the stomach or leaks following weight-loss surgery at a Connecticut hospital, contact the weight-loss malpractice lawyers at Berkowitz and Hanna LLC today.
Besides looking and feeling better, weight loss surgery can help obese patients lessen their chances for getting or worsening diabetes, depression, sleep apnea, hypertension and heart and lung problems that result from excess weight. This type of surgery is meant for long-term weight loss.
The surgical procedures they perform at hospitals lessen patients’ weight are laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, robotic-assisted gastric bypass and laparoscopic duodenal switch.
Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique in which operations in the abdomen are performed using small incisions through which the doctor inserts thin surgical tools. The surgeon can see what he is doing on images shown on monitors. The images magnify the observable area, making it easier for the doctor to see what he or she is doing.
During this type of bariatric surgery, the surgeon places a silicone band around the top of the stomach, making a “smaller stomach” at the top that holds food. This reduces the amount of food that can be consumed and slows digestion. Two types of stomach bands may be used: the Lap-Band®, and the Realize Band®. The bands are adjustable so the doctor can increase or decrease their size on follow-up outpatient visits.
This operation involves removing a large part of the stomach, leaving behind a portion of it that resembles a thin banana. Because the stomach is so much smaller, the patient can eat only a small amount of food.
During this operation, the surgeon cuts and staples the stomach to form a pouch. The intestinal tract also is bypassed. The technique has a number of advantages. The patient is satisfied with less food. Some calories that are eaten are not absorbed. This procedure may be accomplished using a robot, causing less pain, blood loss and scarring. The patient also has a shorter recovery time and is able to return to normal daily activities sooner.
The surgeon uses the daVinci Robot® to perform the procedure. The procedure allows more precise surgery than normal surgery does.
The surgeon removes a large part of the intestine and rearranges the small intestine to separate the flow of food from the digestive juices the body produces. As a result, the body absorbs fewer calories.
This procedure is used to redo a previous procedure that has not worked well.
Bariatric surgery risks include:
Because of the serious risks involved with bariatric surgery, surgeons and nurses must be very careful when performing surgery. If problems arise due to inadequate care, the responsible nurse and/or surgeon can be held accountable.
If you have had problems or complications after bariatric surgery, you might want to seek the advice of a medical malpractice or hospital malpractice lawyer. Sometimes you deserve to be compensated for actions or failure to act by a doctor, hospital staff, or the hospital itself.
To find out if you have a legal claim, contact the lawyers at Berkowitz and Hanna LLC. We represent injured patients all across the state.
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