Surgeon in Hot Water for Teen’s Botched Breast Surgery

Dr. Thomas Laney of Seattle is being accused by the State Medical Agency of surgical malpractice for an alleged botched breast augmentation as well as liposuction on a teenage girl.  He is also being accused of unprofessional conduct because of the patient’s age.

The unnamed patient was just 15 years old at the time of the procedures, and sought treatment from the surgeon to reduce the large size of her breasts, which she claimed interfered with her athletic activities and caused her pain.  She also requested liposuction for weight loss purposes.

According to the lawsuit filed by the girl’s family, which has since been settled, the doctor didn’t perform the breast reduction properly, putting her nipples back in the wrong place and leaving her breasts with an “unnatural appearance”.

The Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission is now getting involved, citing that the doctor did not have the proper education or training to perform the surgeries in question, and that he acted negligently by agreeing to perform liposuction on such a young patient.

Although there are no reports that the girl suffered any injury from the liposuction, it is a highly risky procedure which could have resulted in infection, tissue loss and even death.  Because of this, the Agency claims that Dr. Laney should have refused to perform the surgery and instead recommended a proper diet and exercise for weight loss.

This isn’t Laney’s first experience with medical malpractice accusations.  In fact, he has been sued at least 10 other times by patients or their families.  One such incident involved the death of a plastic surgery patient who ceased breathing while under anesthesia.

Amazingly, although he has been fined in the past, the medical board has yet to place any restrictions on Laney’s medical license, even given his track record.

He has requested a hearing in this particular case but no date has been scheduled yet.  In the meantime, he continues to practice medicine.