ok, although I get what your trying to say, your reply is actually pretty offencive. I was not "overreacting" as you put it, he jilted me. Just becasue you think hes the best thing since sliced bread dosent make it so. Anger and frustration? your damn right, and with good reason too, Im entitled to feel the way I feel. Im sorry, but saying i was over reacting is a slap in the face considering you are not in my position and did not see what I saw. As for your "deep calming breaths" I actually use techniques for my anxiety. Ive been seeing a psychologist for over a year now and she has worked wonders on me. also anxiety isnt a general thing, I dont have triggers or anything like that, and it isnt an emotional problem, its an out of the blue bodily reaction and I havent had an attack in months. 'Your anxiety was quite high before you got to Toronto with having to 'fight' to be able to come.  I am assuming from what you wrote that you needed to talk your parents into driving you" yeah I did, so they could see what i thought I saw in Rutledge, it was an experience I wanted to share... and I had to "fight" becasue my mum had inventory to do at work, and my dad has a failing liver. Dont compare yourself with me in any shape or form, because when your talking about your anxiety and my anxiety your acting like yo uare high and mighty over me and that you have proper control, no one can control their anxiety, they deal with it. Ive had my training and its working, I no longer have to se emy doc weekly, I see her once every 2 months because of how much better my anxiety has gotten. and before you think im over reacting to your response, Im not.  You are putting down my opinions and pretty much telling me that what I think and feel is wrong just becasue your opinion is different.

Hi ((((((Emma))))))))), It is so unfortunate, especially for you, that you feel this way.  You have missed out on positively experiencing a down to earth, humble, kind and genuinely caring man who did have something to offer you regardless if you spoke directly to him or not.  I think of many of the other people who had so much to offer as well.   I too have had an anxiety disorder in the past and understand what your experience is.  I can only speak for  myself as to what my experiences were mentally and emotionally.  I remember my thinking process was quick thinking, high energy.  I was overly sensitive and would over react to situations..   My thinking was quite negative, I was defensive and my emotions were all over the place which just created a vicious circle of more anxiety, negative thinking and overeacting emotionally to those around me.   Unfortunately, that can be  the nature of the beast in dealing with an anxiety disorder.  I remember my expectations of people around me were definately too high, expecting them to assume they knew how I felt and should respond as such.  When they didn't ,I would get upset and angry just like you did in 'Toronto with Dr. Rutledge.  Your anxiety was quite high before you got to Toronto with having to 'fight' to be able to come.  I am assuming from what you wrote that you needed to talk your parents into driving you.  Whether we have an anxiety disorder or not, not everything works out like we want them to.  That's life.  We do have a choice to either make the best or worst of any situation that comes our way.  It saddens me that you came such a long way away to see Dr. Rutledge and you missed out by over reacting.  This whole situation has contributed to more anxiety and anger for you.  As far as him talking about OHIP; or having people present talk about it amongst themselves during the the meeting he was facilitating, he could get into alot of trouble and seen as promoting Ontarionians to apply for OHIP so they could have surgery in the US.  If people need to talk  about OHIP, the most appropriate time would be 'after' the meeting where people could talk amongst themselves.  Anything to do with OHIP is between a patient, their doctor and OHIP and not between Dr. Rutledge and any patients who want to apply to OHIP for this surgery provided by Dr. Rutledge or Dr. Peralgie.  I applied for OHIP and was accepted.  The information I was given was from others who had traveled that road before me through the MGB support group.  I do not know if you take medications or not to help with the anxiety.  When I was experiencing my high anxiety, I was also dealing with depression.  I don't know if this is the same for you or not.  I learned  stress management techniques which helped me tremendously so I could have a better quality of life.  One suggestion that would be good for you Emma, is taking an Assertiveness Training Course, doing any kind of energy work like Reiki, Therapeutic Touch or Cranial Sacral Therapy  and learning to deeeeeeeeeeeeep breath.  You deserve it girl!!!!! You are worth it!!!!!! Just to let you know, I had my surgery 17 days ago in Florida with Dr. Peralgie.  I have done alot of research before having this surgery as to what would be the safest, least invasive and have the least risks and complications.  That is why I had the MGB.  I hope that you do not take offense to his note and take the time and patience needed to re think your position.  Take care of yourself.  You are so much deserving of having love, peace and joy in your heart.   Sending safe and warm reassuring comfy hugs, Linda xoxo  

Hiya Van, MissSandy and all the others. Marley, here.  CLOS MGB w/ Dr. Dasher in High Point, NC 6-24-04. (almost at my 4 yr mark! Whoo hoo!) Outside of the off/on bowel related issues (stinking gas, etc) life is good. REAL good, post MGB! Now if I can have equivalent wonderful results with PS, what a wonderful world this will continue to be! (I'm researching my options now) 2X/20W+ / Med/6-8 petite 246/136

My Name is Scott Tidd and I am a patient of Dr Rutledge. I had the MGB with him on Jan 17, 2008. So I have dealt with CLOS and Dr Rutledge for several months now. I can tell you from first hand experience that Dr R is the finest surgeon and person I know. The CLOS staff are very caring and helpful people and I would count all of them as new friends.  I think you might have a skewed view of Dr R. He can talk to us all on a level playing field, that may be what you though was bad humor or whatever. He is very witty but in a kind way. If you asked 1000 people 999 would know him to be a great man and 1 would have a view like yours. The part about "Several people dying" is not correct. I asked the question to him in clinic the day before my surgery "how many people have died from the MGB?" The truth is that 3 people have died out of more than 4000 surgeries. Two of those were non MGB related and one was from a leak. This is a major surgery, but it has a very low mortality rate. Look up the numbers on RNY and compare the numbers. As far as eat right and excercise not working, well I have eaten and excercised my way from 175 pounds right on up to 324 pounds. Weigh****chers, Jenny craig, slim for life, I ahve done them all and still I have gained in the end. Now I am 112 days post op and I am down 79 pounds and my blood work is perfect and I can excercise because I want to and no I am able to. I am sure your story is similar to mine. The outcome of your story could be the same as mine if you had the MGB. Please don't bash the man who game me my life back. I am using this tool as he designed it and it is working perfectly. If what you said in your opinionated rant has steered someone from getting this life saving surgery, shame on you.I am sorry you had a bad experience.  The MGB maybe isn't for everyone. There is a psychological part to it as well. I wish you good health and happiness like so many of my MGB family. Scott Tidd

Amen Van!  If it was working for any of us, we would have gone that route.  Hey!  We've gone that route over and over and repeatedly failed and gained more to add insult to injury!  Girl, you are not ready for this surgery with that attitude.  You have to be ready to do this for yourself.  He will answer his phone.  Both Dr. R and Dr. P are caring and competent surgeons and people as well.  We fatties are used to being slighted but I think you have taken it to the next level.