Baltimore Bariatric Surgery Malpractice Lawyer

Patients turn to bariatric surgery as a life-changing solution, only to sometimes face devastating complications that shatter their hope for better health. From operating room mistakes, post-surgical negligence, and monitoring failures, we see Maryland weight loss surgery cases that leave victims with prolonged suffering. Behind each bariatric malpractice case lies a person who simply wanted to address their weight-related health concerns. These individuals are not expecting to undergo more medical trauma.

At The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl, our Baltimore-based bariatric surgery malpractice lawyers bring both legal knowledge and genuine compassion to these complex cases. We have listened to Maryland families describe how a surgeon’s mistake turned what should have been a path to wellness into a nightmare of serious complications. Our team doesn’t just build cases—we listen first. Then we apply our medical knowledge and legal experience to hold responsible parties accountable for the harm they have caused you.

Call for a FREE, no-risk case review today. 410-244-7005

What Is Bariatric Surgery and Why Is It Needed?

Bariatric surgery changes the digestive system to help people lose weight. There are various procedures surgeons use to make the stomach smaller or alter how food moves through the digestive tract. These changes limit how much food a person can eat and how many calories their body absorbs.

Doctors in Baltimore and across the country may recommend bariatric surgery for patients with severe obesity who cannot lose weight through diet and exercise alone. The surgery helps treat serious health problems like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and heart disease. Many patients choose this path after years of struggling with weight-related health issues that threaten their quality of life and longevity.

Can I Sue for Complications After Bariatric Surgery in Maryland?

Yes, you can sue for complications after bariatric surgery in Maryland if those complications resulted from medical negligence. It is important to recognize, however, that not all surgical complications are the result of medical malpractice.

If your complications occurred because your surgeon or medical team breached their duty of care, however, you may have a case. As your surgeon and medical team, these healthcare providers owe you a professional duty to provide treatment that meets accepted medical standards. If they fail this fundamental duty and cause you harm, Maryland law protects your right to seek compensation.

To learn more about your situation, we need to first review your medical records, surgical notes, and post-operative care. If we determine your complications stemmed from medical errors rather than known surgical risks, you may have a case. The key question we must answer is this – would another similarly skilled bariatric surgeon have avoided this outcome under similar circumstances?

When Do Complications From Bariatric Surgery Become Medical Malpractice?

The distinction between an unfortunate surgical risk and a legitimate malpractice claim emerges when specific negligent actions or inactions by your medical team cause preventable harm. Maryland law recognizes that while all surgeries carry risks, patients should not have to suffer from substandard care.

Common situations that may constitute bariatric surgery malpractice include:

• Anesthesia errors
• Improper surgical technique, such as perforating an organ
• Inadequate postoperative care or monitoring
• Failure to diagnose bowel obstructions, anastomotic leaks, and other complications
• Improper management of known weight loss surgery complications, allowing them to worsen
• Discharging the patient from the hospital before stability is confirmed
• Failure to inform patient about the risks of bariatric surgeries and alternatives

Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys look for clear patterns of professional negligence in your medical records that show your complications were not just bad luck but directly resulted from poor medical judgment, error, or negligence.

Common Types of Bariatric Surgery in Maryland

Maryland hospitals and surgical centers perform several types of weight loss procedures, each with different approaches to limiting food intake or nutrient absorption. Your surgeon should carefully evaluate your health history, weight loss goals, and risk factors to recommend the most appropriate procedure for you. The success of any bariatric surgery depends on selecting the right procedure for each patient’s unique circumstances.

Bariatric surgical procedures in Maryland include:

• Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: The surgeon constructs a small stomach pouch and reroutes the small intestine, limiting food intake and absorption.
• Sleeve Gastrectomy: Removes approximately 80 percent of the stomach, leaving a banana-shaped “sleeve” that restricts food intake.
• Adjustable Gastric Banding: Places an inflatable band around the upper stomach to create a small pouch and narrow passage.
• Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch: This complex weight lost surgery reduces stomach size and reroutes a significant portion of the small intestine.
• Stomach Intestinal Pylorus Sparing Surgery (SIPS): Modified version of the duodenal switch that preserves the pyloric valve and reduces malabsorption side effects
• Revision Surgeries: Corrective procedures for patients experiencing complications or insufficient weight loss from previous bariatric surgeries.

Serious Ways Bariatric Surgery Can Go Wrong in Maryland Hospitals

Weight loss surgery carries unique and devastating risks beyond typical surgical complications. When bariatric surgeons in Maryland make errors, the damage often extends far beyond the initial recovery period. In some cases, patients may suffer permanent damage to digestive function and nutrient absorption.

Serious bariatric surgery complications include:

• Anastomotic Leaks: Dangerous stomach contents leak into the abdominal cavity through improperly sealed surgical connections.
• Bowel Perforation: Surgical instruments puncture intestinal walls, causing potentially fatal infections.
• Pulmonary Embolism: Blood clots travel to the lungs, a leading cause of post-bariatric surgery death.
• Malnutrition and Vitamin Deficiencies: Improper surgical technique causes severe long-term absorption problems.
• Strictures or Stenosis: Narrowing at surgical connection points prevents food passage, requiring urgent intervention.
• Dumping Syndrome: Food moves too quickly through the digestive system, causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Internal Bleeding: Surgical mistakes damage blood vessels, leading to dangerous internal hemorrhage.
• Erosion of Gastric Bands: Devices implanted during surgery migrate into surrounding tissues.
• Post-Surgical Infection: Contamination during surgery or poor wound care leads to severe infections.

What Symptoms Might Mean Something Is Wrong After Bariatric Surgery in Baltimore?

Local surgeons perform thousands of weight loss procedures yearly at institutions, like Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland Medical Center, yet even in these prestigious facilities, complications may arise that require immediate attention. Baltimore doctors should monitor their patients’ recovery closely, as early intervention often prevents minor issues from becoming life-threatening emergencies.

Once home, patients should continue to monitor their recovery, watching for these key warning signs that something might be wrong:

• Persistent abdominal pain that worsens over time or doesn’t respond to prescribed pain medication
• Fever above 101°F, which may indicate infection at the surgical site or internally
• Redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage from your incision sites
• Persistent nausea or vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down
• Difficulty swallowing or feeling that food is stuck in your throat
• Shortness of breath or chest pain, which could indicate a pulmonary embolism
• Dark or tarry stools, indicating possible internal bleeding
• Extreme weakness, dizziness, or fainting episodes
• Rapid heart rate even when resting
• Decreased urination or dark-colored urine suggesting dehydration

How Common Are Bariatric Surgery Complications?

Nationally, both PennMedicine Princeton Health and Science Direct say the risk of mortality after bariatric surgery is less than one percent.

Here are some additional statistics Science Direct states about bariatric surgery nationally:

• Visits to the ER after bariatric surgery are more frequent than for other common surgeries, with more than half visiting the ER at least once in the first two years.
• Up to 29 percent of those who undergo weight loss surgery will visit the ER in the first 90 days following the operation.
• Ten percent of post-operative ER visits involve surgical complications and hospital readmissions.

According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), the risk of complications overall, is extremely low, at just four percent nation-wide.

How Long Do Maryland Patients Have to File a Bariatric Surgery Malpractice Claim?

Maryland law generally gives patients three years from the date they discovered or reasonably should have discovered their injury to file a medical malpractice claim for bariatric surgery complications.

Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys at The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl can evaluate your unique situation and determine exactly how these timelines apply to your potential claim.

Why Hire a Medical Malpractice Attorney for Your Bariatric Surgery Malpractice Claim?

Bariatric surgery malpractice cases demand specialized knowledge about complex gastrointestinal surgery techniques and Maryland’s specific medical negligence laws.

At The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl, our highly qualified medical malpractice attorneys work extensively with gastroenterological experts. These medical experts understand the precise standards for bariatric surgeries in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. Incorporating this level of medical knowledge, we are able to identify subtle deviations from surgical protocols. Inconsistencies a general practice attorney might miss, for instance, include improper staple line reinforcement or a failure to perform intraoperative leak tests.

Contact Our Baltimore-Based Law Firm for Help With Your Medical Malpractice Claim

Our firm has successfully represented patients who suffered from surgical site infections following weight loss procedures at major Maryland hospitals. We have a proven history of securing compensation for our clients that accounts for future medical needs and lifelong complications.

Need legal help for a weight loss surgery gone wrong? Contact our trusted law firm today. We are here to help you. Your initial consultation is completely free, and when we represent you, there are no upfront fees or costs to pay.

Call the Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl today: 410-244-7005