Minor Procedure Turns Into Double Amputation For NYC Woman

Stacy Galette Now Suing Winthrop University Hospital

Stacy Galette, with attorneys demonstrating how she has to put on her prosthesis/Terry Sheridan

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBS 2/1010 WINS) — A simple surgery has turned into a living nightmare for a Brooklyn mom.

She was supposed to be in and out of the hospital on the same day. Instead, both her legs had to be amputated because of an alleged medical mishap and now she wants justice.

“It’s hard. Knowing before this happened, I was normal. I didn’t have anything — but, now, I won’t be able to walk unless I have prostheses,” Stacy Galette told CBS 2’s Pablo Guzman. 

Galette went to Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola one year ago for what she said was supposed to be a minor gynecological procedure. However, something went wrong and both of her legs were amputated. 

Galette said she’s been left with unimaginable anger.

“Knowing that I’m not the same person that I used to be. I’m not walking,” Galette said.

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Mother and 10-year-old daughter are still close, in spite of everything. Galette claims that during surgery at Winthrop Hospital, her intestine was punctured, which ultimately led to gangrene and the amputation of both legs below the knees. On Thursday she and her lawyer filed suit against the hospital.

“It’s horrifying. She will have to use prostheses for the rest of her life, for a double below the knee amputation — because of medical malpractice!” attorney Sanford Rubinstein said.

Over the phone, a spokesman for the hospital told Guzman: “As a matter of policy, we don’t comment on pending litigation.” 

Dr. Tracey Zivin-Tutela, from St Luke’s Hospital’s infectious disease unit explained what might prompt an emergency amputation.

“In a routine operation something would have gone wrong to cause a blood infection. A blood infection can cause an inflammatory response and cause damage to any organ,” Zivin-Tutela said. 

Guzman asked Galette what she can’t do with her daughter now that she misses.

“Walking … doing her hair,” she said. 

Since losing her feet, Galette has not been able to work. She had been a medical technician. 

Since the double amputation, Galette has lost more. She is also going through a divorce.

Link to source: http://bit.ly/cImmLu