According to the Los Angeles Times, "a fourth Southern California patient has died following Lap-Band weight-loss surgery at a clinic connected to the pervasive 1-800-GET-THIN advertising campaign." Reports detailed that the woman died on July 26, 2010, five days after having lap-band surgery at Valley Surgical Center. Additionally, three other individuals also died shortly after similar surgery at an associated center in Beverly Hills.

According to reports, "prospective patients are referred to surgery clinics after calling a toll-free number which advertises on Southern California billboards, buses, on television and through direct mail. The Lap-Band is a silicone ring that is surgically fitted over part of the stomach to discourage overeating." The 50-year-old woman who died following the procedure on July 21 sought treatment at Simi Valley Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Following the woman's death, her husband filed a medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuit against his wife's surgeons.

Reports detail that the woman's "liver was lacerated three times during the Lap-Band procedure at Valley Surgical Center, but she was discharged from the surgery center several hours later without being informed of the injury, according to the lawsuit. The woman's death certificate lists heart failure as the cause of death, with liver laceration and morbid obesity as contributing factors."

More information on this medical malpractice case will be provided as it becomes available.

Source: Los Angeles Times "Lap-Band clinic is sued over death" 2/10/2011