Anyone had surgery in Chattanooga?

I am still exploring all my options and I have come across a doctor in Chattanooga that does the WLS. His name is Dr. Walter Rose. He is thru Memorial North Park Hospital. Is there anyone that knows of this doctor or has let him perform the surgery on them?

Dr. Rose is said to be good, but I would not want a RNY. Check out the lap band. If he doesn't think you are good candidate, try Jaime ponce in Dalton. I went to Mexico to Dr. Sanchez in Monterrey as my insurance wouldn't pay and I had an old gastric bypass which scared all the Docs here. My daughter had RNY and she has been very ill 3 years post. Her surgeon is excellent, but intestinal obstructions are frequently found 1-4 years out from RNY. She almost died. Stats are showing that death associated with lap band is almost unheard of and that 5 years out lap banders are more apt to keep off their excess weight than are RNY patients. Good luck. Corliss

We could go round and round about the lapband vs RNY debate. I personally chose to have RNY because myself and my surgeon saw myself as someone that would more than likely "eat through" the lapband procedure. I am very happy with my choice of RNY and I am almost two yrs out and am still losing weight. Also your statistic of lap banders being more apt to keep their weight off after 5 yrs might be a little skewed due to the fact that surgeons that decide to do the lapband procedure are very very selective in their patients and do screen out the majority of ppl that would "eat through" the procedure. As I stated before it just comes down to personal prefrence and personal research. I for one would never recommend one procedure over the other just due to the fact that both have the possibilites of different complications if surgeon instructions are not followed post op. *huggles*

I know some folks have done well with the RNY and as with my old JJ at the time it was a life saver. My recommendations are based primarily on my daughters experience. She had RNY in Aug. 2002 and lost all her weight. Aug. 1 2005 she was in the ER at memorial with Sepsis. She had 6 emergency surgeries and was left open with a vacupac. She was on a vent for 10 days and then in the hospital until Oct. 7th. This was a total of 68 days. If it had not been for heroic treatments ie, a med called xigris, she would not have survived. She also had an illeostomy for much of this time. It was neccesary for her Doctor to operate again due to developement of a stricture and he was able to reconnect her. 3 weeks after she got out of the hospital she developed another obstruction and was literally throwing up feces. We got her in the ER asap and she had another surgery and was in the hospital an aditional 2 weeks. She did not develope sepsis at this time. This has shattered her life and the lives of her two little girls. She says that if she weighed 500lb she would not have RNY again. The original obstruction developed because her intestines were entangled in her mesentary system. I work with another girl whose complications are of a different nature. She is about 4 years out and had lost all her weight and now has developed a condition very much like diabetes because her pancreas has been worn out. She is being treated for this at the Mayo clinic. Obesity is a very serious problem. Many people have died from the old JJ which I had 27 years ago. I am very lucky and had a very wise surgeon who was not willing to do such a radical surgery on me, but gave me a modified version. I have lived to know many died with this and am now seeing many near deaths from the RNY. My daughter would definately have been one if it were not for God and her wonderful surgeons. Her surgeon is a wonderful man and I pray that he will stop doing this surgery. I do not in any way blame him. She knew the possible complications, but didn't have a clue they could happen so far out or as usual to her. My purpose is not so much to advocate the Lap Band but to point out the common dangers of the RNY. I have been on the boards looking and searching for information regarding my daughters condition and I have found a lot of folks posting similiar situations and the unfortunate thing is that we never know about those cases who don't survive for obvious reasons. I understand too there can be complications from the lap band. Erosion being the most dangerous one. As far as who is a good candidate for the lap band, Docs who do primarily the RNY will say almost every time that those of us who are truely morbidly obese are not good candidates. The Mexican Lap Band docs who have done several thousand Lap Bands each over 14 years offer statistics which show clearly that for those of us who get fills, the band remains a safe and effective choice. It is neccesary to have a local lap band doc to follow in case of complications and it makes fills much easier. Whatever choice anyone makes, they need to be followed very closely for the rest of their life. Love to all, Corliss

While you'e still researching Dr.s, check out Dr. Oxley in Franklin Tn., I had lap Rny in July and have had a great experience with him and his nurse Pam Davis.They are very friendly and make us all feel like family. Pam had the surgery a few yrs ago,so she knows the ropes. Altho I have to drive about an hour and a half, I enjoy the support meetings and check ups, so its worth it,plus I feel great !! Billie

Dr. Rutledge did mine at East Ridge. He has informational seminars. Call his office at Univeristy Surgical and they'll give you the info. Beth B.