Gastric Bypass surgery has become more and more popular in the last few years as a treatment option for morbid obesity. Essentially, in gastric bypass surgery, your stomach is surgically restricted from taking in as much food. Initially, in fact, you can only ingest about an ounce of food, and not even solid food at that and when the surgery is successful, people have lost between 100-150 lbs. Complications from gastric bypass surgery can occur, however, and you should not only be well informed before deciding to move forward with gastric bypass surgery, you should be prepared if it appears you are not getting the care you need and deserve.
First, there can be complications during the surgery itself and there are pros and cons to the various methods being used by physicians across the country. You can get a gastric band, or vertical banded gastroplasty or your doctor may elect to create a proximal gastric pouch, which is known as a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. At this point, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass appears to have better long term results and is highly recommended for any adolescent gastric bypass surgery. Your physician makes the ultimate decision as to which surgery will be better for you based on your eating habits and physiology.
The surgery is also not enough to solve the ultimate health issue. Life long therapy is a part of this treatment option so that you don’t gain all the weight back in a few years. Some doctors will not accept or maintain their relationships with patients who deliberately thwart diet, exercise and additional treatment. You should be working with a physician who is supportive and who ensures that you are getting treatment for your mind and body, the only way to get and maintain the desired results of a gastric bypass surgery.
There are also several known serious health risks associated with this surgery that can lead to gastric bypass malpractice. Many people who get gastric bypass surgery find that their pancreas works much harder after the surgery, producing too much insulin and therefore creating a condition called hypoglycemia. Additionally, it has become clear that up to 10% of patients have some sort of serious side effect from the surgery with approximately 5% of patients suffering from heart attacks, strokes and more serious ailments. This is why its incredible important that you have been properly evaluated and treated if you decide to undergo gastric bypass surgery.
Like all major surgeries, issues do arise in patients and if a doctor makes an error during surgery, does not make all of the health risks clear, or does not follow up with proper care, they may have committed gastric bypass surgery malpractice.
If you have been a victim of gastric bypass malpractice, you should contact a qualified medical malpractice attorney and find out if you have a claim. Your medical expenses, past and future care, lost wages and pain and suffering may mean that you are entitled to compensation because of your mistreatment. If you find a qualified medical malpractice attorney, they will be able to appropriately assess your case and guide you through the legal process.