The obesity rate continues to climb in the United States. Consequently, the popularity of gastric bypass (bariatric surgery) has substantially increased. This surgical procedure, commonly known as stomach stapling, creates a small pouch in the stomach, effectively reducing its size. This small pouch is then directly attached to the small intestine. Despite medical advances, gastric bypass is still an extremely risky surgical operation. The possibility of medical negligence and liability is significant, and many patients suffer severe injuries from gastric bypass operations.

If you have been injured by gastric bypass surgery, or a loved one has died from the procedure, you may be entitled to damages including medical expenses, lost wages and other compensation.

Both operative and post-operative injury can result from this extremely complicated procedure including:

    * Post-operative infection

    * Digestion problems

    * Inadequate nutritional intake

    * Separation of surgically reattached intestine

    * Gallstones

    * Iron or vitamin B-12 deficiency

    * Calcium deficiency

    * Protein malnutrition

    * Marginal ulceration

    * Gastritis

    * Bleeding

    * Death

The death rate from improper gastric bypass surgery is extremely high. A recent University of Washington Study estimates that 1 in 50 die as a result of gastric bypass surgery, and this number increases five-fold when the surgeon is inexperienced. Additionally, because this surgery usually requires anesthesia, individuals can suffer >>catastrophic>>, debilitating and permanent >>personal injury>> including heart attack, stroke, brain damage and even death when mistakes are made during >>anesthesia>> administration.

Because gastric bypass operations are extremely dangerous, not everyone is a candidate for this type of surgery. Those with morbid obesity or prior abdominal surgeries are generally not recommended as candidates. Nonetheless, surgeries are performed every day on these individuals. Patients who have suffered a loss or >>injury>> as a result of gastric bypass surgery should contact an >>attorney>> for a thorough review of their medical records.