A California woman has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against her surgeon, alleging that she underwent an unexpected and riskier procedure than initially informed. Heidi Frerichs filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, on March 24, 2025, naming Dr. Helmuth T. Billy as the defendant.
The lawsuit stems from a surgical procedure that took place on December 29, 2023. Frerichs claims that she was supposed to undergo a standard gastric bypass surgery but later discovered she had received a hybrid or mini-bypass known as Roux-en-Y. According to the complaint, it wasn't until October 2024 that Tracy Collins, a nurse associated with Dr. Billy, informed Frerichs about the actual procedure performed. The plaintiff alleges negligence on part of Dr. Billy and his team for failing to inform her about the specific type of surgery and its potential side effects beforehand.
Frerichs states in her complaint that she was not made aware of significant risks such as bowel incontinence (referred to by defendants as diarrhea), malodorous gas, dumping syndrome, or possible damage to her pancreas prior to undergoing surgery. "A reasonable person in Plaintiff's position at the time of her surgery could reasonably refuse the surgery she received," reads one section of the complaint, emphasizing how crucial informed consent is before any medical procedure.
As a result of this alleged negligence, Frerichs now suffers from Exocrine Pancreas Insufficiency (EPI), bowel incontinence requiring diaper use, malodorous gas issues, pancreatic damage which cannot be corrected surgically, and emotional distress. The lawsuit details how these complications have rendered her unemployable as a piano teacher and necessitate corrective surgery to undo the bypass—though even this will cause further pain and suffering.
In seeking justice through this legal action against Dr. Billy and unnamed parties referred to as Does 1 through 10 inclusive, Frerichs aims for compensation covering damages related to her physical ailments and emotional distress caused by what she describes as an unauthorized surgical intervention.
Representing herself 'in propria persona,' Heidi Frerichs filed this case under Case No.: F025 CLI ho4dd o49 at Ventura's Superior Court where it awaits judicial proceedings. The document does not specify any attorneys representing either party nor mention any law firms involved in handling this matter thus far.