Lap-Band patient’s care defended

The weight-loss marketing firm 1-800-GET-THIN issued a statement defending the care a Lap-Band surgery patient received before her death earlier this month.

Paula Rojeski, 55, died Sept. 8 after undergoing Lap-Band surgery at an outpatient clinic in West Hills. She is the fifth person to die since 2009 shortly after Lap-Band procedures at clinics affiliated with the 1-800-GET-THIN ad campaign, according to coroner reports, lawsuits and interviews.

The advertising company said in a news release Monday that Rojeski, a Ladera Ranch resident, “was appropriately cleared for surgery by multiple independent physicians.�

Further, the statement said, 1-800-GET-THIN “has been informed by the surgery center that all surgical protocols were followed and that there were no deficiencies in the systems and processes of the surgery center.�

At the same time, the marketing firm distanced itself from Rojeski’s treatment.

“1-800-GET-THIN did not refer Ms. Rojeski for surgery. 1-800-GET-THIN does not practice medicine or provide medical care,� the statement said.

Paramedics rushed Rojeski from Valley Surgical Center to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The Los Angeles County coroner performed an autopsy but has not yet determined her cause of death, said Ed Winter, the county’s assistant chief coroner.

Friends said they had discouraged Rojeski from having the surgery because they thought she didn’t need it. Winter said Monday that the autopsy found that Rojeski was 5 feet 2 and weighed 197 pounds.

Rojeski was the second Lap-Band patient to die shortly after surgery at the West Hills facility on Woodlake Avenue. Three have died after surgeries at a Beverly Hills center that has used multiple names, including Beverly Hills Surgery Center.

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