I told you guys that I had my chops busted on the other side. A WLS patient on the sleeve gastrectomy board asked me to introduce myself, because they did not know anything about me. They wanted my info, because i was posting over there, so I gave it to them.
I have pasted it below.
I promise I was not whining nor engaging in "Drama". But I sure am worn out from dealing with it.
I will probably catch hell for it again, so I will need to run and hide here from time to time.
You guys can use this to help induce sleep, clear your stomachs when you are nauseous or start a fire on a cold night.
This is going to go long and for that I apologize. I have not left anything out for fear of being accused of editorializing. If this sounds like a programmed or form response, I apologize.
I am Dirk I. Rodriguez, MD , FACS. My profile is on the OH surgeon profile.
I have performed over 1,800 WLS surgeries. These have included RNY, Lap Band ( and now the new Realize Band - formerly called the Swedish band), revisions of VBG(stomach stapling) to RNY, revision of Lap Band to RNY, revision of Lap band to gastric sleeve, revisions of complicated Lap Band operations (performed in Mexico and the USA). I have performed sleeve gastrectomy for large benign stomach tumors and for WLS. 99% of my work has been laparoscopic. While in Texas , for a period of time I was only one of two surgeons who performed revisions of VBG to RNY. I was one of very few surgeons willing to operate on older patients with significant medical conditions. Other WLS surgeons would ask me to evaluate and operate on tough cases. In addition to WLS, I also perform laparoscopic hernia surgery, groin hernias and incisional hernias.
My surgical results reported to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) show a death rate of <0.1% and a complication rate of <2%. I have had 4 leaks related to RNY and no leaks to Sleeve gastrectomy. I have operated on patients as young as 18 and as old as 75.
I am licensed in the states of Texas and Ohio, I have been previously licensed in Washington state. I am a veteran of the US Air Force and a veteran of the first Gulf War (1991).
I am board certified surgeon by the American Board of Surgery. I am a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. I am a fellowship trained vascular surgeon. I am a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. I have published scientific articles in general surgery, colorectal surgery, vascular surgery and bariatric surgery. I am an invited reviewer for the scientific journal - Surgery of Obesity and Related Diseases (SOARD).
My practice and center in Texas was the first Center of Excellence in bariatric surgery designated in the state of Texas . We were certified in the first round of designations to take place in the . My practice was known as Texas Bariatric Center .
I was invited to come to Cincinnati to expand on the WLS program at Deaconess Hospital .
I am a consultant to different corporations that manufacture surgical products to be used in minimally invasive surgery. I have taught other surgeons how to do minimally invasive bariatric surgery. I have served as an expert in legal cases dealing with WLS. I developed new surgical techniques in minimally invasive bariatric surgery. I have helped develop new products for use in minimally invasive surgery. In this role I have traveled throughout the and South America .
My practice in Texas and here in Ohio , incorporates an extensive patient education program that includes detailed explanation of the different WLS, nutrition education and a tailored post-surgery nutrition plan by a master degree bariatric dietitian, along with a specified exercise program. We ask our patient to join us for 5 years to accomplish detailed follow-up. Patients leave our office having participated in 4 hours of education and take home a 3 ring binder with over 100 pages of informational material, food logs, exercise logs, nutrition plan, after surgery do's and dont's.
All the patients participate in a 2 week pre-surgery weight loss program to reduce their risk of surgery. This practice model has been purchased and replicated in the . I developed a 17 page informed consent document for different WLS operations. This has been used by legal bariatric experts.
I hope this gives you an idea of who I am, and my dedication to WLS and my patients.
Thanks
Dr. R
Jim 
