'My 600-Lb Life' Doctor Younan Nowzaradan Sued For Malpractice Over Gastric Sleeve Surgery: Report

Renowned bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan is known for performing successful surgeries on the TLC series “My 600-Lb Life,” but the doctor found himself in hot water in 2012. In a procedure that wasn’t documented for the unscripted series, Nowzaradan was sued for malpractice after he reportedly left “6.69 inch piece of tubing” inside a patient after he performed a gastric sleeve surgery on her, Radar Online reported Monday.

The plaintiff, Michelle Park, said the tube was left inside her for nearly two years. Park claimed she suffered mental and physical pain. She further alleged she was left disfigured and was unable to earn money. More, she was left with medical and hospital expenses because of the tube. Part of her colon had to be removed, the lawsuit said.

READ: Who Is Doctor Younan Nowzaradan From ‘My 600-Lb Life'?

The lawsuit was dismissed in 2013. It could be because the suit was settled, however, Radar Online noted there is no record of a settlement.

Nowzaradan, who is called “Dr. Now” for short, is a Houston-based doctor that accepts super-morbidly obese candidates who were previously considered inoperable. He encourages them to lose weight on their own to make sure they can adapt to a new way of living before going under the knife. He then coaches them after the surgery, often setting them up with psychologist to help patients transition into their new phase of life.

Dr. Now graduated from University of Tehran, Iran in 1970. He has been performing Laparoscopic surgery for more than two decades and he has six years of experience with Laparoscopic Bariatric surgery.

He talks about his program on his website: “Our comprehensive weight loss program is directed by Younan Nowzaradan, M.D., F.A.C.S., one of the most experienced and knowledgeable weight loss physicians. Dr. Nowzaradan is a general and vascular surgeon, that has been in practice in Houston, Texas for many years.”

One of the thing Dr. Now instructs his patients to do is follow a strict diet plan.

“Weight loss surgery may address the mechanics of how much food you will need in order to feel full, or how much of the nutrients and calories are absorbed into your system, but the surgery dies not control you own post-surgical behavior,” the doctor’s website reads. “Because you will be eating less, you must make the best use of your caloric intake as possible.”

His diet is about eating the right amount of grains, dairy, protein, fats and oils, fruits and vegetables, sugar, fiber and salt. When it comes to nutrition, there are different amounts that men and women need to consume in order to be healthy. Typically, though, they must all follow a high-protein, low-carb diet to drop pounds and keep the weight off.

READ: Dr. Nowzaradan's Diet Plan For ‘My 600-Lb Life’ Patients

For example, men need six to eight ounces of meat, legumes or other protein and women need four to six ounces of meat, legumes or other protein. When it comes to carbs, men should eat six or seven one-ounce servings and women should have five or six one-ounce servings.

Don’t miss Season 5 of “My 600-lb Life” when it airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on TLC.

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