Top 7 Signs Your Surgery Was Performed Incorrectly

Most surgeries come with pain, swelling, and a recovery period. That part can be normal. However, when a surgery is performed incorrectly especially when the wrong procedure was done, the signs often feel different. You may notice your original problem is still there, new symptoms appear, or the explanation you get does not match what you were told before surgery.

This blog focuses on red flags that can point to a wrong procedure, wrong site, or other major surgical mistake. It also includes practical steps to take if you suspect something went wrong.

What are the Top Signs Your Surgery Was Performed Incorrectly?

1. The problem you went in for never improves

One of the clearest signs is that the original issue does not get better, even after the expected recovery period. Some discomfort can linger, but if the main symptom stays the same or gets worse, it may be a sign the procedure did not address the real problem.

Examples:

• The same sharp pain returns once the anesthesia wears off
• The same blockage, instability, or weakness is still present
• The condition keeps progressing with no improvement

2. You have symptoms in the wrong area of the body

If the wrong site was treated, you may notice pain, bruising, limited motion, or scars in a place you were not expecting.

Watch for:

• A surgical incision that does not match what you were told
• New pain on the opposite side of your body
• Weakness, numbness, or swelling in an area that was not supposed to be involved

3. Your surgical paperwork does not match what happened

This sign often shows up when you request your records and review the details. Your consent form, procedure name, and post-op notes should line up. If they don’t, it deserves a closer look.

Watch for:

• A procedure name in the operative report you don’t recognize
• A consent form that lists something different than what you remember agreeing to
• Discharge paperwork that describes a different surgery than expected

4. You needed a second surgery right away

Sometimes a second surgery is planned. But an unplanned corrective surgery soon after the first can be a red flag, especially if the goal is to correct an error or address something that should have been handled the first time.

Watch for:

• Surgeons telling you they need to have another surgery as soon as possible
• A second procedure is scheduled before you even recover from the first
• A new provider said the wrong approach was used

5. You were told “that’s not what we did” when you asked questions

If you have a clear memory of what procedure was planned, but the staff give vague answers after surgery or change the story, that mismatch matters.

Watch for:

• Different explanations from different people
• Your questions are being brushed off
• You can’t get a straight answer about what was done and why

6. New serious complications appear that do not make sense

Any surgery can have risks. But unexpected complications may suggest an error, especially when tied to the wrong procedure or wrong technique.

Examples:

• Unexpected organ injury
• Severe bleeding not explained by the procedure type
• New nerve damage, numbness, or loss of function
• Infection paired with signs something went wrong in the operating room

This does not prove a wrong procedure by itself, but it can be an important clue.

7. Another doctor says the procedure does not match your diagnosis

A second opinion can be one of the most helpful reality checks. If a new doctor reviews your imaging, diagnosis, or records and says the surgery performed does not match the condition, it may point to a wrong procedure or a major planning error.

Watch for:

• A second doctor says the wrong body part was treated
• They say the procedure choice did not make sense for your diagnosis
• They recommend corrective treatment because the first surgery missed the real issue

Why Do Incorrect Surgery Problems Matter?

First, you may be harmed by a surgery you never needed. Second, the condition you actually needed treated may still be there, and time may have been lost. That can mean more pain, more costs, and a longer recovery path.

How to Respond If You Suspect the Wrong Procedure was Done?

Here are practical steps you can take:

1. Get medical care for urgent symptoms. Trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, severe swelling, fever, or worsening pain should be checked right away.
2. Request your full records. Ask for the operative report, consent form, anesthesia record, post-op notes, and discharge paperwork.
3. Write down your timeline. Include what you were told before surgery, what changed after surgery, and any new symptoms.
4. Get a second opinion. Ask another doctor to review your diagnosis, imaging, and what procedure was performed.
5. Contact a wrong procedure lawyer if harm is serious. If you believe a wrong procedure caused real harm, legal guidance can help you understand your options and next steps.

Ready to Get Clarity on What Happened?

If you’re worried a wrong procedure was performed, you deserve straight answers. Contact Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. to talk through what happened and learn what options may be available. A review can help you understand whether this was a known risk, a preventable mistake, or something that needs deeper investigation.