There are none in Minnesota that do it. The closest to me, and even that was a 4 hour drive one way, was Sioux Falls SD. Dr. Peter O'Brien.  The MGB in not new, in fact been around  long time. Just many places do not do it because of the higher risk or post op complications.

My advice---go to the CLOS.net site and read all about Dr. Rutledge's success with band revisions.   Good luck. Sandy MGB 7-22-04 392-175

I had my surgery 11/15/06 (MBG with Dr. Rutledge).  I started at 202 and I am down 77 lbs. and at goal at less than 6 months out.  I have had no complications or side effects.  There is a really good diagram on clos.net of the difference between RNY and MGB.  Essentially, the MGB only has one new connection, and the RNY has 2 because they cut the small intestine in half and hook up each half in different places.  The MGB has one hole in the side of the intestine attached to the base of the new stomach.

I don't believe there are any in MN.  They do it in Michigan. That would be the closest to you.  There is also High Point, NC, Joplin, MO, Florida, and Nevada. 

  You know, I don't know where those horror stories come from!  I have had no bile reflux nor have I heard of anyone who has. I have only heard of a couple of folks who have acid reflux. Dr. Rutledge addresses all these things on the CLOS.net website and even has U Tube videos explaining all aspects of the surgery.  I have read such terrible stories on O Help about all the complications and side effects of the other surgeries that I am SO thankful that I chose the MGB.  I have had no complications and have lost over 200 pounds---reached my all-time low of 175 last week! The only side -effect that bothers me is the occasional diarrhea and the awful smelling gas!  I know I could remedy this if I would watch what I eat.  As it is, I pretty much eat like a normal person now.   You are doing the right thing---asking questions and researching all the options.  I did, and the MGB was the only route I trusted because of the short surgery time, the success stories I read on the sites, the cost, and most of all the fact that it is reversible if I made a terrible mistake! Good luck. Sandy