Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Complications from bariatric surgeries are more likely to occur after a patient has left the hospital, according to a recent study by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Bariatric surgeries are used to treat patients who are significantly overweight or obese. Several different bariatric procedures are currently in use, but all the surgeries seek to induce weight loss by restricting the amount of food the patient can consume. This process is often accomplished by putting a band around the patient’s stomach, altering the stomach’s size, or changing its connections to the rest of the digestive system.

The AHRQ study found that 40 percent of patients who undergo bariatric surgery have some form of complications that require another hospital visit within the first six months following surgery. Most of these complications don’t appear until after the patient has left the hospital. For instance, the study found that 21 percent of patients suffered complications from surgery while they were still in the hospital, but that that number rose to 40 percent after patients left the hospital. Researchers say that more studies are required to determine why the complication rate for obesity-related surgeries is so high.

At Page Law, we understand the risks involved with bariatric surgery, as well as the promised rewards that lead so many Americans to seek this treatment in the first place. If you or someone you love has been injured or suffered dangerous complications from bariatric surgery, call the St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Page Law today for a free consultation. Our number is 314-322-8515, and all your information is kept confidential.

Gastric bypass surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the U.S. Bariatric surgery in general has become so common that many individuals aren’t aware that there are some serious risks and side effects involved.

As with any surgical procedure, there are some very serious risks involved with gastric bypass surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some of the dangers of gastric bypass surgery include dehydration, gallstones, bleeding stomach ulcers, hernias, kidney stones, low blood sugar, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and not being able to tolerate certain foods any longer.

There are also some very rare, but serious side effects that are associated with the most common form of gastric bypass surgery. With gastric bypass surgery, as with any operation, there is always a risk of death. Another condition that can occur is blood clots in the legs, which can occur in overweight people. If those clots move to the lungs, death or damage to the lungs can result. Pneumonia can also result after the surgery.

A severe complication that could occur is leaking at one of the staple lines in the stomach, which could require emergency surgery. Gastric bypass surgery can also trigger an unpleasant syndrome called “dumping syndrome” which causes nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms.

Bariatric surgery can have some serious complications and poor success rates. If you believe you have been the victim of gastric bypass surgery medical malpractice, contact the Missouri personal injury attorneys at Page Law, LLC by calling 314-241-2273. We will advise you of your legal rights and the best course of action for your specific case.

A new study recently reported in the American Journal of Medicine shows that patients who have bariatric surgery in order to lose weight are more at risk for suicide than the general population, according to FoxNews.com.

Bariatric surgery alters the digestive tract to limit food intake, as well as nutrient absorption, in order to help obese people lose weight. Bariatric surgery can help reverse high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes as well. However, there are some major physical risks from the surgery, such as infection, bowel obstruction, gallstones, kidney problems and more.

This new study shows that besides the physical dangers of the surgery, there may be also be emotional complications that can result from the surgery as well. The study followed over 16,000 people who had bariatric surgery between 1995 and 2004. Of those people, 31 had committed suicide by the end of 2006, which is a substantially higher percentage than the general population in the same period of time.

The reasons for the increased risk are unclear. The study did not conclude that the surgery itself leads to suicides. One theory for the study’s results is that some bariatric surgery patients already have mental health problems before the surgery. Bariatric surgery patients have a mental health evaluation, but can still receive the surgery even if they have a history of mental problems. Another theory is that patients may be depressed if they haven’t lost as much weight as desired, but more study of these theories is needed.

Over 200,000 Americans have bariatric surgery each year. Many of them are not aware of the possible physical or emotional complications that can result from the surgery. If you have had severe complications from a bariatric surgery, help is available. Contact the Missouri injury attorneys at Page Law today at 314-322-8515.