Detroit Plastic Surgery Blood Clot Malpractice Lawyer

Each year millions of Americans have elective cosmetic plastic surgery. Most patients wish to change or enhance their appearance. Other procedures help restore a patient’s appearance after an illness or accident, such as a breast cancer patient’s post-mastectomy breast augmentation or facial reconstruction after a burn injury. 

All plastic surgeries involve risks that patients should understand before they undergo a procedure. Developing one or more blood clots following their procedure is one consequential risk. Many plastic surgery procedures involve cutting and repairing arteries and veins, which triggers the body to form blood clots.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood clots form deep in a patient’s veins, usually in the legs. DVT is dangerous because a large clot can break off and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism – an often fatal condition. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 34% of the surgeons who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery have reported diagnosing pulmonary embolism in their patients; 7% experienced at least one death due to this complication.

At Sommers Schwartz, P.C., our dedicated team of Michigan medical malpractice lawyers proudly represent individuals and families impacted by medical negligence. We aggressively pursue maximum compensation for our clients, helping them move on more quickly after suffering life-altering injuries. 

What Can Doctors Do To Reduce the Risk of Blood Clots?

There are several ways to reduce the risk of blood clots before, during, and after a plastic surgery procedure. 

• Lifestyle factors like smoking can increase the risk of DVT. Patients with obesity are also at higher risk.

• Responsible medical professionals should refuse certain surgeries or combinations of surgeries if they pose an excessive risk to a particular patient. They should also discourage high-risk patients from having multiple procedures.

• A surgeon should utilize the least invasive techniques available to reduce blood vessel damage during a procedure. 

• Medical providers can prescribe blood-thinning medication to reduce clotting and encourage patients to get out of bed and move around as soon as possible after surgery. These steps help prevent small clots from growing larger, reducing the risk of causing a pulmonary embolism.  

The procedure with the highest risk of developing DVT is an abdominoplasty, commonly known as a “tummy tuck.” When this procedure is performed simultaneously with other cosmetic surgeries, the risk of DVT is five times greater. Scheduling separate operations can lower a patient’s risk dramatically. Responsible medical providers should advise some high-risk patients to reconsider abdominoplasty altogether. 

Some plastic surgeons may minimize or overlook the risk of DVT or other complications. If the doctor does not accurately communicate the risks of a procedure, a patient cannot give informed consent for the operation. Informed consent is required by law and is part of a surgeon’s duty of care to a patient. Patients who suffer a DVT, pulmonary embolism, or other complication following a surgical procedure performed without informed consent may be able to recover damages in a medical malpractice claim.  

How Can a Patient Recover in a Medical Malpractice Claim?

A medical malpractice claim requires a plaintiff to demonstrate that their medical provider violated the duty of care they owed to the plaintiff and that the plaintiff suffered harm as a result. Malpractice claims can succeed even in cases where a patient discussed the risks of their surgery with the surgeon and signed a waiver consenting to the procedure.

Plastic surgery is an exceptionally profitable and competitive field of medicine. To attract customers, some surgeons advertise procedures that promise extraordinary results with little risk. They may market more dangerous procedures as “new” or “safer” by modifying how an operation is performed, which can minimize the patient’s ability to fully understand the risks involved. 

Misrepresenting the risks or changing the agreed procedure can violate a surgeon’s duty of care. If a patient is injured or dies as a result, they or their family members may be entitled to recover damages. 

Have You Been the Victim of Medical Malpractice?

If you or a loved one recently had routine plastic surgery and suffered a blood clot or other complication, contact the dedicated medical malpractice lawyers at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. Our attorneys have a nationwide reputation for excellence in handling medical negligence claims. Our team includes some of the country’s most well-respected medical malpractice lawyers. 

With our help, you can hold the negligent medical providers accountable for your injuries and pursue meaningful compensation for yourself and your family. To learn more and schedule a free consultation with a Michigan medical malpractice lawyer, call Sommers Schwartz, P.C., at 800-783-0989 or connect with us using our online form.