Any surgeon in NY do Mini Bypass???

Michael T.
on 6/27/07 11:35 am - glens falls, NY

I am interested in the Mini Gastric bypass.. I would like it to be preformed by DR. Rutlege (sp) in Las Vegas.. Unfortunately he does not accept insurance and the cost is 20k. So i found out Empire BCBS may approve the surgery.. IF it is in my main area.. Albany to NYC.. Does anyone know if any surgeons in NY preform this operation?

Sean_B
on 6/27/07 12:35 pm - Schenectady, NY

DS on 11/14/06

unless things have changed very recently, I'd be VERY surprised if Empire (or ANY carrier for that matter) covered the MGB.... here's from their most recent policy for obesity surgery: (copied and pasted from http://www.empireblue.com/provider/noapplication/f2/s5/t9/pw _ad080419.pdf (bold added by me) Policy Statement Medically Necessary: Gastric bypass with a Roux Y procedure up to 150 cm, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (the Lap-Band® System), vertical banded gastroplasty, or biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch as a single surgery, is considered medically necessary for the treatment of clinically severe obesity for selected adults (18 years and older) who meet the following criteria: 1. BMI of 40 or greater, or BMI of 35 or greater with co-morbid conditions including, but not limited to, life threatening cardio-pulmonary problems (severe sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome and obesity related cardiomyopathy), severe diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease or hypertension. *Note: Individuals considering the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band®) procedure must meet the above minimum BMI requirement and, in addition, have a maximum BMI of less than 50. 2. The patient must have actively participated in non-surgical methods of weight reduction; these efforts must be fully appraised by the physician requesting authorization for surgery. 3. The physician requesting authorization for the surgery must confirm the following: • The patient’s psychiatric profile is such that the patient is able to understand, tolerate and comply with all phases of care and is committed to long-term follow-up requirements; • The patient’s post-operative expectations have been addressed; • The patient has undergone a preoperative medical consultation and is felt to be an acceptable surgical candidate; • The patient has undergone a preoperative mental health assessment and is felt to be an acceptable candidate; • The patient has received a thorough explanation of the risks, benefits, and uncertainties of the procedure; • The patient’s treatment plan includes pre- and post-operative dietary evaluations and nutritional counseling; • The patient’s treatment plan includes counseling regarding exercise, psychological issues and the availability of supportive resources when needed. For revision of a gastric restrictive procedure for clinically severe obesity, there must be documentation of a failure secondary to a surgical complication such as fistula, obstruction or disruption of a suture/staple line, and is subject to the same criteria listed above. Not Medically Necessary: Stretching of a stomach pouch formed by a previous gastric restrictive surgery, due to the patient overeating, does not constitute a surgical complication and the revision of this condition is considered not medically necessary. Investigational/Not Medically Necessary: Gastric bypass, using a Billroth II type of anastomosis (also known as a "mini gastric bypass") is considered
investigational/not medically necessary as a treatment of clinically severe obesity. Malabsorptive procedures including, but not limited to, jejunoileal bypass, biliopancreatic bypass without duodenal switch, or very long limb (>150 cm) gastric bypass (other than the biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch) are considered investigational/not medically necessary as a treatment of clinically severe obesity. All other procedures not listed above as medically necessary are considered investigational/not medically necessary. I'm sure Jamie will chime in on this as she has a little more knowledge about it, but from what I remember, the MGB is nothing new.... only something that Rutledge has been somewhat successful in marketing. He hasn't created anything different... and apparently, there are certain issues/problems that can and do arise from that particular method, whether it is the way the stomach/intestines are rerouted, or the means in which the anastamosis is done. as for finding a MGB surgeon, I believe all the "official" MGB surgeons are listed through CLOS (Rutledge's website) Good luck, but definitely look into it a little further.

Pre: 324 Now: 185-190

(deactivated member)
on 6/27/07 7:48 pm - Boca Raton, FL

RNY on 09/12/06

Hey Sean, Great information! You trying to compete with Jamie now?

You look great!!! Keep up the amazing work! Hugs, Karen

Sean_B
on 6/29/07 1:50 pm - Schenectady, NY

DS on 11/14/06

I don't think I could ever compete with Jamie

thanks... just joined a gym to celebrate being 150 down... should start bulking up a bit

love your new avatar... you seem to be doing great as well

Pre: 324 Now: 185-190

(deactivated member)
on 6/27/07 7:45 pm - Boca Raton, FL

RNY on 09/12/06

Hi, I suggest you EMAIL the ASBS and ask for their recommendations. Here is the link to the site: http://www.asbs.org/ They won't have any recommendations because they will not sanction the procedure. It is way too dangerous. The ASBS is the "Authority" regarding Bariatric Surgery. For them to refuse to sanction a procedure speaks volumes. When I took the training with OBHelp...it was suggested to us that we send anyone asking about this procedure to the ASBS. If that doesn't convince the prospective pre-op to avoid this procedure at all costs, nothing will. Ask yourself: why do so few surgeons do it? When something seems to good to be true, it usually is. -Karen

jamiecatlady5
on 7/22/07 5:53 am - UPSTATE, NY

RNY on 10/09/02

well in reviewing the archives for info on another topic i ran acros this post, karen and scottie have covered it but i would NOT support this procedure, if you want info email me.....first ask self why a surgeon only accepts cash...hum why wont insurance reimburse? why did certain hospitals refuse procedure in their facility? Look into RNY or DS imho preferred surgerys for many many reasons, what is your bmi, eating habits tht would probably dictate which tool may be best, there is thr lapband as well and gastric sleeve othet options potentially.... albany is dr sing/rosatic at albany med I can vouch for both they do band and bypas only to get gasric sleeve or ds u need to venture into city...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_bypass_surgery

Variations of the gastric bypass

Loop gastric bypass

The first use of the gastric bypass, in 1967, used a loop of small bowel for re-construction. Although simpler to create, this approach allowed corrosive juices from the small bowel to enter the gastric pouch, sometimes causing severe inflammation and ulceration of either the stomach or the lower esophagus. It was soon abandoned by its originators, in favor of less troublesome techniques, but has recently been employed again by a few surgeons, as the "Mini-Gastric-Bypass", mainly to simplify the challenge of reconstruction, when performed laparoscopically. Although mini-gastric bypass has been asserted to have a low complication rate, there are now multiple reports in the medical literature of serious long-term complications with the technique, necessitating major revisional surgery.

about him in the local NC newspaper.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/032901_NW_stomachsurgeryupd ate.html

Durham Regional Bans Controversial Stomach Surgery By Jim Hill A stunning turn of events surrounding a Triangle doctor who performs a controversial stomach bypass surgery-- which helps severely obese people lose weight. Durham Regional Hospital-- where Dr. Robert Rutledge performs this operation-- decided to ban the procedure. For the past three years, people from all over the world have come to Durham Regional to have the stomach bypass. Wednesday was the last day the procedure was performed at the facility.

Dr. Robert Rutledge had performed 1300 mini-bypass surgeries on people wanting to lose weight before officials at Durham Regional suspended the procedure Thursday. Officials at Durham Regional told Eyewitness News the decision was based on information the hospital had been looking at-- and questions that had been raised by insurance companies.

This comes after Blue Cross, Blue Shield administrators announced they would no longer pay for Rutledge's procedure because of the long-term complications of the surgery of which some of their clients complained.

Now, some patients who had been scheduled to undergo the procedure at Durham Regional are left with questions. "They're holding our lives in their hands right now," said Debbie Beck of Elk City, Oklahoma. Beck was scheduled to have the surgery on April 18. "Some of us are to the point where we are really sick and we have got to have this surgery done to get healthier."

Patients who were scheduled to have this procedure done were notified by Durham Regional and told to contact Dr. Rutledge. Eyewitness News also tried to contact Dr. Rutledge and had not yet received a return call by our

11:00 p.m. broadcast time Thursday night.

Online producer: Shaun Chavis Benchi

Last Updated: Mar 30, 2001

This doctor now works independently out of Statesville NC and is expanding his business into other states. He does not accept insurance because the insurance companies will not pay for his procedure.

Take Care,

Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP
100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY
320(preop)/163(lowest)/185(current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Any surgeon in NY do Mini Bypass???

Variations of the gastric bypass

Loop gastric bypass

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Any surgeon in NY do Mini Bypass???

Variations of the gastric bypass

Loop gastric bypass