Woman suing dentist over breast surgery

SEATTLE, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- An 18-year-old woman alleges in a lawsuit against a dentist that the medical official botched a breast reduction surgery she had in Seattle three years ago.

The woman, whose identity wasn't released, accused dentist and oral surgeon Dr. Thomas Laney in King County Superior Court of allegedly mishandling the medical procedure and leaving her with deformed breasts, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said.

The woman's lawyer, Patricia Greenstreet, alleges the physical results of the breast reduction surgery in 2005 left the woman emotionally vulnerable.

"As a result of this, she is very self-conscious about her body," Greenstreet alleges.

Laney's attorney, Steve Fitzer, counters such claims by saying both the woman and her parents were properly advised by Laney regarding the potential risks associated with such procedures.

Laney had offered cosmetic surgery services after taking part in a series of classes but never conducted a residency in the medical specialization, the newspaper reported.

The Post-Intelligencer said the lawsuit marks the most recent allegation against the 55-year-old doctor, who has been targeted by 10 other lawsuits in the past and been reprimanded by a state board in regards to the death of one of his patients.