Why does MGB have a bad reputation?

Dr. Rutledge has been sued many times in NC. If you go to the state cite to check his license, there is a wealth of information. There was also an expose about the mini-gastric bypass that hit several different newspapers and news stations here and also involved another doctor that was doing them who has now changed his name and moved to Michigan. I wouldn't let the man touch me with a 10 foot pole. As you can see, he has a public file with the North Carolina State Medical Board (all public information): http://www.ncmedboard.org/Clients/NCBOM/Public/Licensee_Details.aspx?&EntityID=26088&PublicFile=1<
He also made at least one omission on his original Nevada request for license (also public information): http://medboard.nv.gov/Meeting%20Minutes/September%204-5,%202003.pdf<
In the future, it might be a good idea to really research any bariatric surgeon you are considering, and include in that research states they used to practice in. He's well-known here in North Carolina. If you click on his public file, you can read all about it. There are also very good reasons why the vast majority of bariatric surgeons won't do this surgery and why the ASBS does not view the surgery as an acceptable one. It is also not a surgery that is covered by any reputable health insurer.

I know from personal experience that WLS is a big step, and requires a lot of research and study. I have been overweight all my adult life, and starting considering bariatric surgery in 2006, after my family doctor recommended it to me. He recommended an RNY surgeon in Atlanta. He had several patients that had used him, and they had all done well. I started doing my research in July, 2007, and joined a support group of the Atlanta surgeon, and also several other support groups, including the CLOS group. After a great deal of research, I decided that the MGB was the best for me in September, 2007, and started working on my application package. The package is very intensive in that it requires that you read the 147 page manual, and have and can demonstrate a complete understanding of the MGB procedure, as well as all the other types of WLS. It also goes into great detail about the negatives and positives of WLS. The process requires that you have an evaluation by your PCP, your cardiologist, and other specialists that you may use. You are required to have a psychological evaluation to make sure your emotional condition is as it should be. The CLOS site also has a wealth of information, instructional videos, etc, which make is easier to understand what to expect.
I had my MGB with Dr. Cesare Peraglie in Davenport, Fl on 12/7/07. At that time, my weight was 324, I had type II diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, aching joints, sore back, etc. After seven months, I am down to 221; diabetes has been resolved since immediately post-surgery, my blood pressure is improved, sleep apnea is gone, joints and back pain is gone. My wife had her MGB with Dr. Peraglie on 3/13/08, and she is also doing well. She is down 43 lbs after almost 4 months, and her blood pressure is much improved. Her only other co-morbidity of joint pain is gone. Neither of us have had any problems at all, and we are both grateful to have found out about the MGB, to have made the decision we made, and to have a surgeon of the quality of Dr. Peraglie. Part of our success is due to getting plenty of exercise, and eating a healthier diet too. Again, WLS is an important decision that should not be rushed into. For us, the MGB has been a great solution, and we would not change anything, except we wish we had done this much earlier.

Lynn in GA
12/7/07 - Dr. Peraglie - MGB
Hi: 329
Pre-op: 324
Now - 710/08: 221
Goal: 190

UPDATE: 8/2/09
Still no problems. I am no longer taking any medications for diabetes or high blood pressure. I reached my goal of 190 after 17 months, and have been running about 185 for the past 3 months--down about 140 lbs from my pre-op weight.  My wife is down about 80 lbs after 17 months, and is also doing very well. We are both still extremely happy with out decision to have the MGB with Dr. Peraglie. Our neighbor had the MGB with Dr. Peraglie on 11/20/07, and he is down from 275 to 180, and is also doing great. He says he only regrets not doing this years ago.

Lynn in GA

 The "studies" of patients that Rutledge touts are all based on self report of his patients. This is not good science. Anyone who has had complications from thier MGB, like myself and finds another doctor are no longer included in those surveys. He told me I had a 7 foot bypass, as it turns out, he bypassed almost my entire small intestine. For 3 years I was sick. I am not the only one. He is no longer working in Nevada. Does anyone know if there are any current lawsuits in Nevada against him? I am very curious. My Canadian health insurance paid for my revision from MGB to RNY, but I know several people in the states who need help and will have to pay for all tests and surgeries on thier own.

I had my MGB in 2008, I've had problems since.  It was only finally this past year that my doctor here in Canada has taken enough interest to send me for testing.  I had all kinds of tests done and the bariatric specialist here told me that the surgery was NOT done correctly and he's not sure why it was done the way it was.  SO, I did the obvious, contacted Dr R. and the response I got was less then desirable, he school me on what and how to eat but neglected to touch on the subject that other doctor's don't agree with my surgery.  I've not regained 40 out of the almost 100 pounds I had lost and have fallen into a deep depression.  I deal with my discomfort every day.  I have 6-10 BM daily and experience constant abdominal pain.  I don't know where to begin seeking help here. I'm sure for some folks this has been the greatest thing that could have happened to them  but for me it has been the worst decision I could have made.  Dr. Peraglie is a nice person, but I'm not so sure he did me justice.

How are you doing now and I was considering surgery in Florida. I take it from your post that you never had a good experience with your surgery pre-op or post-op?

Has anyone had the MGB in Canada lately and has had success with it?

I had what was supposed to be a MGB (performed by Dr. Robert Rutledge) in May, 2000 in Durham, NC.  Had my first endoscopy in February of 2007 and was informed that my stomach was in "horrid" condition and that whomever performed my surgery had "ruined" me.  What most people don't realize is this ...your problems will not start to show until you are eight, nine or ten years post-op.  Then....it's a fast downward spiral - usually.  I now have Barrett's Esophagus (diagnosed in 2012) that has progressed to low grade dysplasia...despite aggressive management with Carafate and Prilosec, Nexium, Dexilant...and a host of other drugs.  I have a severe problem with absorption of vital nutrients (I CAN'T absorb them) and have been diagnosed as severely anemic with a serious immune deficiency, as well as experiencing hypothyroidism and severe reactive hypoglycemia.  If you research long-term outcomes of this surgery - and IT IS the RNY, no matter what surgery they SAY they are doing....you will find that all of my problems are direct results of having had the surgery.  I strongly urge anyone who is considering this to thing long and hard.  Trust me - I was there - 300 lbs and miserable.  But I know now - being well on my way to stomach cancer, feeling exhausted and defeated and just plain "tired" all the time, that my quality of life would be much better had I elected NOT to have the surgery.  Research LONG TERM effects.  Talk with patients of his who are TEN years out...not a year, not a few months, not three years.  See what you find. 

What do you supposed the petroleum industry will do when more and more cars start running on battery power instead of petrol? Both can get you from point A to point B. But perhaps they will tout safety, horsepower, speed, etc?  My point is stakeholder have a vested interest for a reason.."they have a stake in it"!  Any conflict that puts that stakeholder at risk is going to cause a certain amount of trashing, etc. Look at the data. Look at mortality rates, complication rates, and in general QoL?

I had an MGB in Nov of 2005. I only wish I had done it 10 years before!!!