Question:
Would a surgeon please review the MGB carefully and explain if it is safe or not?

There has been alot of conflict/controversy about the MGB and I am having a hard time making a decision about whether to have this particular surgery. I would have to fight my HMO to have another procedure out of network. I have been unable to get definitive answers. My primary care doctor feels the MGB is safe but others have been less confident. The ASBS is being non-commital. I am looking for objective, unbiased, factual answers. I am hoping to hear from a number of surgeons or doctors. Procedure in question can be looked at in detail at www.clos.net. Thanks.    — [Anonymous] (posted on September 10, 1999)

September 10, 1999
I feel that the information should be looked at and an educated decision made. I am going with the MGB! I have been on the support group for almost 6 mo. but would have had the surgery in a second if I had the money to do so. From what I understand there has been much confusion about the procedure on some of the ossg boards. My advice? Call Dr Rutledge and speak with him, he is open, sincere,caring, wants the best for his patients and he follows the progress of his patients closely. Do not listen to those who do not know, go to the site, read the info, write down your questions and either e-mail the Dr. or call him. Debbie his office administrator is also very helpful. His web site is www.clos.net and his e-mail and number are also there. Just remember there are few Drs on this board so go to Dr R for the info you seek. Paige Windahl MGB candidate pending insurance approval BMI 46 weight 285 will end up paying out of pocket at a later date if insurance does not come through so I may have Dr Rutledge do my surgery( I am in ND)
   — Paige W.

September 11, 1999
Is there a picture of this surgery available on the net? Is it laparoscopic?
   — Bruce B.

September 11, 1999
This is a version of the Billroth Loop II which has been modified. It is not an RNY. Yes it is done lap. I had it done and am happy with the results.
   — [Anonymous]

September 11, 1999
Dr. Bodner asked if the Mini Gastric Bypass is laparoscopic. Yes, it is and yes, there are diagrams and pictures of the procedure on the surgeon's website: www.clos.net On the website, there is also a 'movie' of the actual surgery being performed, as well as a slide show and description of the process. I truly am seeking knowledgeable, medical facts regarding this surgery. I have received many sincere personal accounts about various surgeries from post op patients. As far as I can tell, Dr. Rutledge's patients are very pleased with their results and love their surgeon! Individuals who have had other surgeons and other surgeries are also biased in favor of their surgeon and his surgery. I respect their loyalty. While this makes sense to me, patients should feel strongly that their choice is the best, I have been having a difficult time getting straight answers. Dr. Rutledge himself feels strongly that his surgery is one of the best approaches to bariatric surgery available today, as he should. He has also emphasized that he uses a 'revised' and 'improved' loop in the MGB. The director of the ASBS advised me that the Mini Gastric Bypass has been controversial because it is a new procedure and because there are'nt any published articles or studies about it yet. She did say that the MGB does seem to be a modified version of the old Loop procedure and that it is not identical to the old loop, as she and the ASBS had previously thought. She, and the available surgeon, determined this by a review of Dr. Rutledge's diagrams and his "List of Reasons to Have the MGB" on his website. She did say that his technique of creating a long narrow tube vs. a small pouch near the esophagus would seem to address the concerns of acid reflux that plagued the old loop procedure. Overall, they answered my questions in a non-commital way and while I felt better about the MGB after our conversation, I am still seeking further input from qualified professionals. My primary care doctor looked at Dr. Rutledge's diagrams of the procedure and felt confident that it was safe and effective. However, he is not a surgeon, nor does he specialize in bariatric medicine. I would very much appreciate your input as a respected surgeon and one who takes the time to participate on the Association for Morbid Obesity website. Thank you.
   — [Anonymous]

September 21, 1999
You might want to call the ABBS and check this out. My surgeon said that this gentleman is the ONLY ONE doing this procedure and that it is not safe. I know I am partial to my surgeon, but don't you find it curious that he is the only one out there doing that procedure?? Just food for thought.
   — [Anonymous]

March 22, 2000
The reason that only Dr. Rutledge does the MGB is because he INVENTED it as it is today (actually, it is a modified version of the Bilroth II procedure). The rest of the surgical community simply hasn't caught up with his technique yet!
   — Steven P.

November 6, 2000
Please see http://www.fourlane.com/mgb for plenty of information and see http://www.fourlane.com/doctors.htm for information about the MGB from doctors (and the doctors' credentials). Rutledge did NOT invent the procedure. He uses the Billroth II loop which was invented in 1880. The Mason Loop, used in 1967, also used the Billroth II Loop. It is irrelevant how/what shape the stomach is cut (as far as the dangers of the procedure) and the only thing Rutledg has changed is the shape of the stomach. Once the stomach is cut into two parts, the intestine from the old stomach is connected DIRECTLY INTO THE NEW STOMACH and a hole is made. This means that INTESTINAL CONTENTS from the old stomach are pumping right into the hole into the new stomach. The contents of the intestines are ALKALINE. The stomach is supposed to be acid. Dumping this alkaline content into the stomach neutralizes the stomach acid and eats away the lining of the stomach. It also sets up a chemical reaction, just like mixing vinegar and baking soda (an acid and an alkaline) to make "volcanos." This causes the alkaline contents to get into the throat. This is a seriously dangerous problem and causes severe damage. The worst damage, alkaline ulcers, gastritis and esophagitis, and even Barrett's esophagus (a precancerous condition) often require surgery. There is NO medicine to treat these conditions when they are caused by alkaline reflux. These are very well known complications of the Billroth II loop and they are the reason this "loop" is not used by ANY other bariatric surgeon today. The Billroth II has been shown to have a very high correlation to cancer, too, with the average onset at 22 years after surgery. Of ALL the weight loss surgeries, ONLY the mini-gastric bypass uses this loop and it is the ONLY procedure that has these risks. See: http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/cancer.htm http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/pictures.htm http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/picture2.htm http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/problems.htm
   — Linda T.

November 6, 2000
For the opinions of surgeons about this procedure go to http://www.mini-gastricbypass.com/OtherSurgeons.htm
   — Roseann M.

November 8, 2000
To Dr. Bodner: Pictures of the procedure are at http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/pictures.htm Comments by top bariatric surgeons (and their backgrounds and credentials) are at: http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/doctors.htm Pictures of the effects of alkaline reflux caused by the mini-gastric bypass are at: http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/picture2.htm
   — Linda T.

January 11, 2001
Go to www.fourlane.com thereare comments from Dr.s and people who have had the MGB. Good Luck to you.
   — [Anonymous]

January 3, 2004
I "tryed" to go to www.fourlane.com as some of the posts below informed us of but THAT website is no longer available. I am having the MBG done after MUCH research and Dr. Rutledge is NOT the only Doctor that preforms this surgery there are many Doctors that researched this procedure and been taught by Dr. R and now preform this surgery in California, North Carolina, Missouri and more. That have adopted this procedure since it has been so successful. This procedure is safer than the other procedures and less complications, and also same weight loss. IT is done in less than an hour, hospital stay is overnight. He provides patients with an education that is outstanding. You can go to the website and find out more if you are interested. www.clos.net
   — Genie7368

January 3, 2004
My surgeon said it can cause serious troubles with acid reflux and generally isnt covered by insurance. At the time of my surgery dr rutledge went to only doing self pays because of insurance troubles. Perhaps this has changed.
   — Sam J.

Click Here to Return