According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 59 million Americans suffer from obesity. And more than 64 percent of the United States population is either overweight or obese. To combat obesity, hundreds of thousands of Americans turn to bariatric surgery. Also known as weight loss surgery, gastric bypass surgery, bypass surgery or obesity surgery, this medical procedure (and its cousin, gastric banding) provides a surgical weight control option.

Studies have shown that patients undergoing weight loss surgery typically lose up to 75 percent of their excess weight and keep off 50 percent of that weight over a 15-year period. In addition to aiding a patient’s overall physical well being, gastric bypass surgery can improve obesity-related problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, diabetes and heart failure. This surgery is not without risks, of course. In addition to the risks typically associated with surgeries – infection, blood clots and anesthesia complications, for example – bariatric surgery carries potential complications that include gastric fluid leakage, resulting in infection, abscessing, peritonitis and even death; respiratory failure; suture or staple line rupture; bowel obstruction; kidney failure; hernia formation; gallstones; and pulmonary embolism.

While adverse surgical outcomes are sometimes unavoidable, surgeons and other hospital staff members may fail to recognize the signs of potential complications, or to properly monitor patients post-operatively. Excessive pain, back pain, shortness of breath and excessive urination, for example, are all signs of post-operative trouble that must be taken seriously. Additionally, some surgical clinics do not have the equipment or staff necessary for handling surgical or post-surgical emergencies.

If you suspect that you or a loved one suffered injury as a result of weight loss surgery negligence, it is crucial to consult with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you secure all of the compensation to which you may be entitled. This may include compensation for pain and suffering, financial loss, emotional distress and past, current and future medical expenses. In some cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages for another party’s wrongdoing. Our dedicated trial lawyers can also help you deal with your insurance company, as well as the insurer of the other party or parties. The insurance companies have lawyers working hard to minimize their payouts; you need a medical malpractice attorney who will work just as hard for you.

At Feldman Shepherd, we are committed to helping our clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey obtain the best possible recovery as expeditiously as possible. We are here to serve you with hard work, attention to detail and a caring approach tailored to your individual needs. If we may be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us today.