BOSTON -- Brigham and Women's Hospital is conducting an internal review after the death of a patient. A woman from Lawrence, Mass., died days after undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery.

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Gail Huff Reports On Surgery Investigation

NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that the surgery, also known as stomach stapling, has become very popular, publicized by celebrities such as singer Carrie Wilson, and weatherman Al Roker, who've undergone the procedure, which is up 60 percent over last year.

But the surgery does have inherent risks. One patient familiar with the dangers is a New England Patriots coach who lived to talk about the surgery.

"In my case, it seriously went wrong," said Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss, who nearly lost his life after having gastric bypass surgery which caused severe internal bleeding.

Many patients have died after the surgery, including eight in Massachusetts alone. The most recent death was on Oct. 23, 2003 at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Ann Marie Simonelli, 38, had her stomach stapled but, according to a statement released by the hospital, "During the course of a standard laproscopic gastric bypass surgery, a widely utilized staple gun aparently malfunctioned, leading to a significant complication."

The performing surgeon, Dr. David Lautz, had to redo it, thereby extending the length of her surgery. Simonelli died three days later.

State records show it was the second time a staple gun misfired on Lautz. Last year, a 23-year-old patient survived, but now Brigham and Women's is halting all gastric bypass surgeries. That's the procedure Simonelli had, however they will continue to perform other procedures that involve stomach stapling. Meanwhile, an internal investigation has been launched and the hospital is cooperating with state authorities.

Last year, about 2,000 bypass surgeries were done statewide. The state Board of Registratioin in Medicine issued an alert to hospitals reiterating the risks.