Weight-loss surgeon is accused of incompetence

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A weight-loss surgeon was accused by state regulators of gross negligence and incompetence in the treatment of 11 gastric-bypass patients, including six who died.

Dr. Terry L. Sanderfer allegedly delayed treatment or failed to act promptly when problems arose, failed to adequately evaluate patients before and after surgery, abdicated patient care to others and kept medical notes that were incomplete or illegible, said the Medical Board of California.

The board is seeking to lift Sanderfer's medical license.

Sanderfer didn't return calls seeking comment.

Sanderfer has been sued more than 20 times for problem gastric-bypass surgeries, according to The Press-Enterprise newspaper, which reviewed Superior Court records.