Weight Loss Surgeries Can Lead To Medical Malpractice

Plastic surgeries have not been the only medical procedures that have shown a constant rise in the U.S. over recent years. Weight loss and other medically important bariatric surgeries have been increasing, as well. This is due, in large part, to the obesity epidemic that has plagued the United States for years. With the increase in the number of people turning to surgical procedures to cure their obesity problem, the number of medical malpractice instances has risen.

America’s Obesity Epidemic

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, more than two-thirds of adults in the U.S. have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above, classifying them as overweight or obese.

Granted, different studies on the obesity problem in the U.S. have reported widely disparate numbers on the number of Americans who are overweight. The difference often comes down to the definition used for “overweight” or “obese.” However, even the most conservative estimates agree that obesity is a problem in the U.S.

While being overweight is not, itself, a health concern, it does create numerous other health issues, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and even heart disease. Together, these health conditions have contributed to an estimated 300,000 deaths every year in the U.S.

Bariatric Surgeries on the Rise

With obesity continuing to be a problem for Americans, more and more people are electing to go under the knife to lose weight.

One of the most popular weight loss procedures is a bariatric surgery. This involves reducing the size of a patient’s stomach by using staples or gastric bands. In some cases, it can even involve removing a portion of the patient’s stomach.

The number of bariatric surgeries has risen steadily in recent years. According to one study, the total number of bariatric surgeries performed in the U.S. went from 158,000 in 2011 to 179,000 in 2013.

Medical Malpractice in Bariatric Surgeries

Like any surgery, bariatric surgeries carry a risk of complication. However, the obesity of a bariatric surgery patient can increase this risk substantially. Not only is the patient less able to endure the physical trauma of such an invasive surgery, but the other health issues related to their obesity can lead to unforeseen complications.

The increased risk of medical complications that bariatric patients face puts additional strain on the doctors who perform the surgery. Unfortunately, they are all too often not up to the task. Even if a surgery is successful, complications can arise afterwards that should have been foreseen, causing you irreparable harm.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys Can Get You the Help You Need

If you or someone you love has been hurt by a weight loss or bariatric surgery, you need an experienced medical malpractice attorney to get you the compensation you deserve. Call the law office of Gilman & Bedigian at (800) 529-6162 or contact us online.