A woman claims she suffers permanent scarring after a doctor at Plastic Surgery Consultants failed to determine staples used in a breast reduction surgery would counteract with immunosuppressant drugs in the woman's system.
Joanne L. and Robert Dycus filed a lawsuit Dec. 3 in Madison County Circuit Court against Dr. Robert C. Wanless and Plastic Surgery Consultants.
The Dycuses claim Wanless performed a medically necessary breast reduction surgery on Joanne L. Dycus on Nov. 17, 2008.
However, before performing the surgery, Wanless failed to provide appropriate informed consent to Joanne L. Dycus, who took immunosuppressant drugs, and failed to consult with Joanne L. Dycus' rheumatologist to determine whether she should stop taking the drugs prior to surgery, according to the complaint. In addition, Wanless used staples on Dycus, failed to recognize a serious wound healing problem following the surgery and failed to properly monitor Joanne L. Dycus' wounds, the suit states.
As a result, Joanne L. Dycus suffers from permanent scarring, sustained constant pain and discomfort and incurred substantial medical costs, the complaint says.
In addition, her husband, Robert Dycus, says he has lost his wife's consortium.
In the four-count suit, the Dycuses are seeking a judgment of more than $200,000, plus costs.
Joseph A. Bartholomew of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer and Shevlin in Belleville will be representing them.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-643.
Woman claims plastic surgeon's oversight caused staples to interact with drugs
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