Doctors here only offer RNY and lapband...

I'm in the beginning phase of exploring GBS - very nervous but ready to make a necessary change in my life.  We have 2 centers within a reasonable distance of my home and both only advertise the RNY and the lap band surgeries.  I have read on here about the many different types of surgery and was wondering if I should wait until there are less invasive procedures in my area.  Your thoughts?

Hi,

There are several things to consider when deciding what procedure to have.  The best thing is to do your homework.  Learn as much as you can about it all of them.  Study the pros and cons of each one.  Then make your decision based on what you have learned and think you could live with.  Remember, any surgery has risks.  You aren't going to know how well you succeed until you actually have the procedure.  I wish we could tell the future and know, but we can't.  Good luck on your journey to good health. 

Hi! i am new to this site. I am exploring the option of having MGB by Dr Rutledge in Vegas.I live in the Netherlands now, but am from Phoenix, so I will have to wait till we go back to the states at Christmas time to get this done. I just now am starting on my packet. I wanted to know if  you have had a good experience with him..was he likeable... and overall how did your surgery and your experience go? I know I have to contact 10 different people, put I have seen may posts by you and wanted to get your opinion. Alos, can I ask about your scar? how many did you have and were they really large? thanks for any help and advice!
-Drew

From what I understand not many docs do the mini gastric bypass anymore and not many insurances pay for it.  Now this is just my rough understanding, but the term mini is a little misleading.  I don't think the mini gastric bypass is a less invasive surgery than a laproscopic RNY gastric bypass.  The laproscopic RNY takes a more experienced surgeon from what I have read.  I ma sure there are great docs who do the mini GB, but it is a technically easier surgery to perform.  The mini GB makes a loop of bowel that is bypassed and I have heard a lot of people get bile reflux because of this.  I am no expert or hater.  I was very interested in the mini GB too when I first started researching.  Goodluck in your decision.