Question:
Looking for a support group for people considering Dr. Rutledge's MGB surgery.

I've gone to the www.clos.net and read everything over and over again. But is there an online support group/ posting board for mini gastric bypass patients? Thaks for your help. Mariee    — Mariee H. (posted on March 6, 2002)

March 6, 2002
I have come across this site spefically about Dr Rutledge. Could it just be a bitter patient yes but definately worth a look http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/ good luck
   — [Anonymous]

March 6, 2002
I thought they no longer allowed him to do this procedure because of the dangers. I would suggest you do a lot, I mean a lot of research on this because I haven't heard anything positive.
   — Becky K.

March 7, 2002
Isn't he the doctor who got in trouble in North Carolina for doing this surgery. If i'm not mistaken I believe they said something about taking his medical license.
   — Samitra D J.

March 12, 2002
I agree with the others. The MGB looks dangerous. I wondered if it was a bitter patient on that sight too, but when you look at how they do that surgery, you can see how the acid can go where it shouldn't and make you VERY ill. That's why they came up with the "Y" connection of the roux en y gastric bypass. It doesn't allow the acid to travel into the stomach and cause burning in the esophegus and pouch. PLEASE check into this more before you use mgb or Dr. Rutledge.
   — lerli1

December 4, 2005
There are 7 doctors doing the MGB in the US at this time. Over 3000 surgeries have been performed with excelent results. Complication and death rates are far lower than the RNY. website www.clos.net Training to be able to perform the MGB is a minimun of 1 year and at least 100 surgeries both assisting and being assisted by a training surgeon.
   — warobbins64

December 4, 2005
Hi~ I had the MGB with Dr. Hargroder(he was trained by Dr. Rutledge) 2 1/2 years ago. I am just here to tell individuals that I have had no complications from the surgery and to date I have lost 125-130lbs. I felt comfortable with the research I "HAD" to do before I was accepted for surgery. Dr. H. followed up with me every 3 months and I appreciated the fact that all the CLOS dr's answers their cell phones and will hold one on one conversations with you. I preferred the MGB over the RNY due to the STATS... 2 deaths in 3,500 patients. Recovery, was better. I had my surgery on a Monday, released on a tuesday and was in the park playing kickball with my twins on a thursday and friday. I think if you do the research; you will understand WHY and WHO knocks the MGB.. Try a patient that was turned away for health reasons(heart problems or others..) not everyone qualifies for the MGB or for the RNY for that matter. If you should have any questions or comments(please don't bash me/us for this surgery as we would never get on a wls forum and bash any type of wls)send me an e-mail at [email protected] DS
   — ds