Jennifer, Dr. Hargroder now has a website. It's www.mgb-surgery.com.  I too am considering this type of surgery. I recently went to one of the support group meetings and was quite impressed. Hugs, Crystal

Hello Jennifer, My name is Athina, and I too have been researching WLS.  I will be having an MGB with Dr. David Hargroder in Joplin, Missouri . I live in Kansas, so this will be more convenient for me.. Dr. Hargroder was trained by Dr. Rutledge, but is not part of his medical group. As for insurance, mine will not be covered, I will self pay.  There is a hospital in Henderson(the place used by Dr. Rutledge), that has just recently approved coverage for MGB for their employees-that instills confidence!! And last but not least, if you go to www.medscape.com (it is a website for medical students-which I am not), and you can research the MGB vs. Roux-en-Y.  The study I read favored MGB.  Good luck with whichever way you decide to go! Athina

my mom researched for almost 2 years before deciding on the MGB.  then my sister tried to have it but couldn't because of major scarring from previous abdominal surgeries, she had to have an open RNY.  i had the MGB 8/31/04.  my mom and i have had zero problems and zero weight gain (at least until my pregnancy) my sister has had numerous food issues and has now gone from a size 8 back up to a 14-16 and is afraid she is still gaining.  just personal experience here.

North Carolina is not to far away to travel.  They do the MGB at High Point Regional Hospital.  They used to be a CLOS facility, but have been their own since May of 2006.  They now do the MGB for HPRHS as Regional Bariatrics.    www.regionalbariatrics.com.  The Drs  Walsh and Dasher are surgeons with Cornerstone Surgery in high Point NC and head up the bariatrics program at HPRHS.  Dr walsh was my surgeon, but I am equally impressed with Dasher.  I live local so I am very involved with their program.  I had surgery 1 year ago and I have lost 108 pounds and I am extremely healthy.  Their complete fee, whi*****ludeds the hospital and anithesia (sp) is $17K.  Their program co-ordinator is Lisa and she can be reached at 336-878-6340.  Good luck.  MGB is the way to go in my opinion ... complications are far and few.