Family sues Ottawa Hospital after woman, 37, dies following gastric bypass surgery

1. probably not
2. true
3. On this quote:

"If a physicians mortality rate is such that his losses are far above the average of his peers, he would simply not be allowed to continue operating."

Have you heard of Dr. Christiane Farazli? I have two sisters and a mom who are nurses, and there would be no way that they would have an elective surgery without asking other nurses about the surgeon. As with other professions there are people with talent and bozos, and getting the guy with talent may be the difference between life and death.

Admittedly, no, I don't know this particular surgeon. I agree that there are incompetent individuals in every profession - be it doctors, nurses, lawyers, or the dude behind the counter at McDonalds. My point was simply that medical professionals must prove their competence on a regular basis. At least that's how it is when it comes to my license. (I'm not a physician.) From what little information I've read on this incident, it appears to have happened during the initiation of the program and limited to this patient. Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not making light of the fact the this is an "isolated" incident. If you or your family are affected by medical errors it can be devestating. I'm simply wondering if there were really errors made or if this was a tragic situation where all the stars lined up to produce the worst possible outcome.

There were actually a few deaths in Ottawa close to the beginning of the program. I don't think this post should scare anyone away but it should show how important research and self advocacy are.

When I applied to Ottawa 2 years ago and met with my first doctor she told me about the 2 deaths they had in the first 18months of the centre being open.  One was an older person with other health factors and age, the second must have been the woman in the article because she just said there had been complications.  It was mentioned again in my orientation and no one tried to hide it. 

My surgeon went over all of the risks and rates of complications for each area and was very thorough.  It is unfortunate and sad that this happened but this was two years ago and Ottawa has obviously taken steps to make sure it doesn't miss a step.  My care during and post surgery has been excellent and given the choice I would do it again. 

This is not a new story, it is the family side of the statistic we hear the "one" that went wrong.  Surgery of any type is not without risk, do your research, make an informed decision and pray for the best outcome possible. 

Yeppers!  But Ottawa surgeons are still on a learning curve (my opinion).. and they will get better at it...

Is there any way to request a surgeon with more experience? Do any of the Ottawa doctors have more experience than the others? Or to get a surgeon with more experience do I have to pay for surgery in the states?

Connie

Connie, Dr. Yelle is a VERY competent and experienced surgeon.

He saved lives of a few Ottawa bariatric patients, that I personally met. They'd got serious complications - leaks, ruptures and bowel obstructions, following  the surgeries performed abroad (not always problems were caused by these surgeries, yet...) 

Yes, there were a few complications in the very beginning of the program. But TODAY, I would CHOSE to be operated by Dr. Yelle if he only did DS, lol. If I ever have a bowel obstruction (forbid heaven), I'll be at Civic screaming GET ME DR. YELLE.

Just IMHO. There is no reason to look elsewhere for RNY surgeon.

Dr Yelle was observing at Humber when I had my VSG Sept-09, when I was suffering from intractable nausea Post-op it was he who suggested increasing my IV Steroids (I have Addison's disease and am steroid dependent).  I believe him to be a technically sound surgeon.

Someone mentioned we are only getting one side of the story, this is so very true. . .it is also doubtful that Ottawa Hospital's reply will ever see print as The Ottawa Citizen seldom swings that way. . .frankly I am surprised they spelled Bariatric correctly.

My family was close by as they travelled with me
My Center has never had a Death and they do more surgeries in a week than Ontario was doing in 6 months ( not sure what Ontario stats are now)
Yes OHIP did pay for my surgery however had I been denied my right to choose I would have self paid as I would not have had surgery in Ontario
My family Doctor is able to follow up on my care and when I need or want to see my US surgeon my family and I combine it with a mini vacation we have ccome to Love exploring Michigan .
If the care I recieved at an Ontario hospital last year is an indication of our health care system I will take the US hospital any day

 Just an aside as I also went to Barix - you are incorrect in that they have never had a death. A woman died in the 2 wks prior to my surgery in March 2009. It happens everywhere - we are a riskier patient group.