Experienced Gastric Bypass Injury Attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri
At The Gogel Law Firm, our St. Louis medical malpractice attorney knows that all surgeries come with some risks, including those associated with gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgeries that are designed to help Missouri residents lose weight.
Gastric sleeve surgery involved the removal of a portion of the stomach. In a gastric bypass, a small gastric pouch is created, and the small bowel is re-routed. During these procedures, gastric bypass patients lose between 50-80% of excess body weight within 12 to 18 months, on average. Gastric sleeve patients lose between 60-70% of their excess body weight within 12 to 18 months, on average.
Unfortunately, the benefits of both these types of surgeries come with inherent risks.
What are the Risks Associated with Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Bypass Surgeries?
During and after gastric sleeve surgery, complications may include:
- Abdominal pain, change in bowel pattern, tiredness, bloating, nausea, or vomiting.
- Allergic reactions to medication, anesthetic agents, or prosthetic devices.
- Bleeding from blood vessels or injured organs.
- Bowel obstruction.
- Colitis, or inflammation of the colon.
- Complications related to the placement of intravenous and arterial lines, including bleeding, nerve injury, or pneumothorax (collapsed lung).
- Constipation.
- Deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots in the leg veins that can move to the lungs, called pulmonary embolus.
- Dehydration or imbalance of body salts, usually from inadequate fluid intake requiring hospital admission.
- Excessive or inadequate weight loss.
- Gallbladder disease, usually from gallstones that form during rapid weight loss.
- Hair loss from protein malnutrition.
- Heart attack or abnormal heart rhythm.
- Hernias at the site of incisions.
- Inflammation of the remaining stomach or oesophagus.
- Leak from staple lines, which may require further surgery or lead to sepsis.
- Liver disease or failure.
- Low blood sugar.
- Malnutrition.
- Nerve or muscle injury, usually temporary, related to positioning during surgery.
- Pancreatitis.
- Pneumonia or other breathing problems.
- Psychological problems can include depression, adjustment disorder, relationship difficulties, and rarely suicide.
- Significant bleeding, which may require transfusion or further surgery.
- Stroke.
- Technical difficulty leading to a change in operation strategy.
- Ulcers.
- Urinary tract infection or injury to the urinary tract from catheter insertion.
During and after gastric bypass surgery, complications may include:
- Breakage
- Dumping syndrome.
- Gallstones.
- Hernia.
- Internal bleeding or profuse bleeding of the surgical wound.
- Leakage.
- Perforation of stomach or intestines.
- Pouch/anastomotic obstruction or bowel obstruction.
- Protein or calorie malnutrition.
- Pulmonary and/or cardiac problems.
- Skin separation.
- Spleen or another organ injury.
- Stomach or intestine ulceration.
- Stricture
- Vitamin or iron deficiency.
At The Gogel Law Firm, Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers in St. Louis, MO Focuses On The Following Practice Areas:
- Anesthesia Error
- Birth Injury
- Delayed Diagnosis
- CSF Leak
- Brain Bleed Accidents
- Delayed Diagnoses
- Emergency Room Cases
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Injury
- Gastric Bypass Injury
- Informed Consent
- Lap Chole Bile Duct Injury
- Shoulder Dystocia
- Thoracic Surgery
- Uterine Rupture
- Emergency Room Case
- Failure To Diagnose Cancer
- Failure To Diagnose Stroke
- Hospital Negligence
- Opioid Death
- Surgical Errors
- Wrong Surgical Site Injury
If you or someone you love has undergone gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery and have suffered significant medical problems as a result, contact our St. Louis medical malpractice attorney today to review your case by calling (314) 370-8173 or online to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue the liable party for your full financial recovery needs.