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If you have had gastric band surgery and have any concerns about the performance of your weight loss surgery, we may be able to help you claim compensation. Similarly, if medical professionals or anyone else involved in your surgery failed to warn you of foreseeable risks, then please do not hesitate to contact us. One of our specialist clinical negligence solicitors will be happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have.
Please call us on 01616 966 229 for free initial guidance on your options.
Gastric band surgery is a popular surgical procedure, performed as a form of weight loss surgery. More than 10,000 gastric bands are fitted every year in the UK. During the procedure, the size of the stomach is reduced using an adjustable band, so that only small meals can be eaten. The band can be inflated and adjusted by a surgeon by injecting liquid into a tube under the skin.
Gastric bypass surgery is slightly different; this procedure works by making the stomach smaller and the digestive system shorter. The overall aim is to make patients feel more ‘full’ after eating smaller portions, and as a result, lose weight.
The amount of people undergoing weight loss surgery has greatly increased over the last ten years. As obesity rates in the UK continue to rise, an increasing number of patients are opting for surgery as a quick option to help them lose weight. It is now estimated that nearly a million obese Britons may be eligible for weight loss surgery, including gastric bands.
Weight loss surgery carries risks and can lead to complications such as post-operative infections, leakage and gastric bands slipping. The risks of exposure to anaesthetic are also more serious to those who are overweight. Despite this, many patients are still not fully aware of the potential dangers involved before proceeding with surgery.
Here at Stephensons, our areas of specialism include, but are not limited to:
If you have been affected by any of the above, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss a possible compensation claim.
Laura Sheehan settled a claim for £8.4 million for negligently performed weight loss surgery. The client suffered a severe infection which was inappropriately treated, causing damage to her brain and resulting in impaired mobility and the need for life long care for the client.
Bariatric surgery is a phrase used for several different types of weight loss procedures and surgeries. The aim of the surgery is to quickly and significantly reduce the amount of excess body fat.
Bariatric surgery is only available through the NHS to treat patients with potentially life-threatening obesity that will not respond to non-surgical treatments (such as lifestyle changes). Even if a person meets the relevant criteria, the demand is currently higher than the supply in many areas of the country; this often leads to considerable waiting lists for surgery. As a result, many patients make the decision to pay privately for surgery.
It is important to note that clinical negligence claims can be brought against private organisations as well as the NHS.
Although the majority of procedures are carried out successfully, a significant proportion of patients are subject to mistakes by medical professionals before, during or after the surgery. The most common complications include post-operative infection, leakage, slipped bands, perforation of the gut and technical problems inflating the band.
It is also important to note that the risks of exposure to anaesthetic are more serious to those who are overweight. It is estimated that the risk of dying shortly after bariatric surgery is around 1 in 200. This risk could even be as high as 1 in 40 if a patient has high blood pressure or a BMI of 50 or above. Despite this, many patients are still not fully aware of the potential dangers involved before proceeding with surgery.
Stephensons has extensive experience of assisting clients who have experienced problems associated with gastric band surgery. If you have any concerns about the performance of your weight loss surgery or the failure to warn you of foreseeable risks , then please do not hesitate to contact one of our specialist clinical negligence solicitors for free initial guidance on your options.
Call us on 01616 966 229 or fill out our online enquiry form.
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