Chan gave anorexic woman liposuction

By REBECCA WALSH

Disgraced doctor Warren Chan could finally be struck off the medical register after performing liposuction on a woman with a history of anorexia.

The woman, 29, who drove home after the surgery, was left bleeding and was in pain for weeks.

In a just-released decision, the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal described Dr Chan's conduct as "seriously negligent" and an abuse of the privileges which accompany registration as a medical practitioner.

Dr Chan, previously found guilty of seven charges of professional misconduct, was found guilty of disgraceful conduct - the most serious of charges.

The tribunal can have doctors struck off the register only if they are found guilty of disgraceful conduct, have been practising beyond their certificate's limits or are convicted in court of a serious offence.

The woman consulted Dr Chan at his Remuera clinic in January 2001, seeking liposuction to her hips, arms, bottom, thighs and stomach.

She had a history of anorexia and bulimia and when she saw Dr Chan was still suffering from eating disorders. She also had had an on-off sleeping-pill addiction for about five years.

The woman said Dr Chan told her he was the most experienced cosmetic surgeon in Australasia and had performed more operations than any doctor in either country.

Asked if he had received any complaints, Dr Chan told her sometimes "touch ups" were needed, but there was no extra charge.

The woman, who was worried Dr Chan might say she did not need liposuction because she was within the 52kg weight range, said he did not ask about her eating disorders.

"I thought he could make me thin ... I would pretty much be able to eat what I want, but not put on weight because that fat had been removed."

He said it would be like a new start for her and then she needed to keep a healthy diet.

The woman agreed to a cost of $7000 for the procedure and paid a $500 booking fee.

Dr Chan offered little information about the surgery, then asked if she had any questions.

" ... basically it was almost a token question and he wanted you out the door and paying the deposit," the woman told the tribunal.

The consultation took no more than 15 minutes.

On January 27, 2001, the woman paid $6500 and was given a surgery consent form, but no explanation about the form or procedure.

During the surgery a nurse and another doctor were present. The woman recalled waking about three times and felt significant pain.

" ... she recalled the cannula "poking" into her legs and causing pain ... she felt herself drifting in and out of consciousness for the rest of the procedure."

After the surgery she drove to a friend's house where "blood started to ooze from the incisions, soaking the body garment and on to the carpet". She later went to an address where she was staying by herself. She could barely move for pain and fainted two or three times.

Attempts to contact Dr Chan were unsuccessful, but the nurse told the woman her symptoms were normal and to rest.

The woman eventually returned to work, but the bleeding and pain continued.

She returned to the clinic for massage, at extra cost, and expressed concern about the outcome of the surgery, which had left one hip indented and the other with a disproportionate amount of fat sticking out.

A booking was made for corrective surgery, but it never happened and she was told Dr Chan had been suspended from practising.

The woman contacted Dr Chan in Australia, but he said he had no plans to return and would have nothing more to do with it.

Dr Chan, who no longer lives in New Zealand, did not attend the hearing and in July asked that his name be removed from the medical register.

In its decision, the tribunal said the woman needed and deserved much closer and more careful assessment. It found, among other things, Dr Chan failed to exercise proper professional judgment in offering liposuction, given the woman's history of eating disorders, and failed to obtain informed consent. It noted numerous failures with his surgical practice, including post-operative care.

Gay Fraser, tribunal secretary, said a decision on the penalty was unlikely before the end of April. Dr Chan could be struck off the register, suspended for up to a year or ordered to pay a fine of up to $20,000. He could also be ordered to pay costs.