Allison Graffeo (Partner-New York, NY) prevailed in a matter involving allegations of negligent bariatric surgery performed on a middle-aged woman at a major New York hospital against the hospital and multiple individual providers. The medically diagnosed obese patient, who had undergone prior unsuccessful sleeve gastrectomy, presented for a conversion of her gastric sleeve to a Roux-en-Y bypass. Post-operatively, the patient experienced a gastric leak, resulting in sepsis and additional hospitalizations and surgical procedures. The plaintiff claimed that the surgery was contraindicated, that the leak was the result of improper surgical technique, and that the defendants failed to timely diagnose the leak. Allison moved for summary judgment on both liability and causation, with the assistance of an expert bariatric surgeon affidavit. She explained the complex anatomical, medical, and surgical concepts underlying the care at issue in a manner understood by lay persons and next demonstrated the absence of any factual dispute concerning the propriety of the care. Allison also addressed the lack of causation. Upon receipt of the motion, plaintiff’s counsel (a prominent medical malpractice law firm) apparently could not oppose the motion. Counsel moved to be relieved as attorney of record. That motion was eventually granted and the plaintiff was unable to retain another attorney. The court dismissed the matter.