Surgeon fined

A botched breast reduction operation has cost a doctor $20,000.

The doctor faced a Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal in Napier in June.

He was charged with failing to tell the patient that because of her weight and her smoking there was a significantly increased chance of major tissue loss after the operation or that she might be unable to breast feed.

After the operation the woman's breasts became infected. Eventually she needed three corrective operations.

The tribunal censured the doctor, fined him $5000 and ordered him to pay $15,000 costs. He must be supervised by another surgeon for three years.