Question:
I want to hear from Dr. Rutledges patients please.

I am considering surgery and would like to hear from patients about the good and the bad. I would be traveling a long distance to see him and want to know your opinions. Nicole ( I am using my sisters password to write this, I forgot mine). Thanks for your help.    — Courtrina Amur W. (posted on August 19, 2000)

August 19, 2000
Dr. Rutledge does what he calls a "mini gastric bypass" MGB. People seem to think he invented this proceedure, he didn't. It has been used/is used for people with stomach/colen cancers or ulcers. Dr R did figure out that all these people have a remarkable weight loss after having this surgery and started to use as a WLS. Dr R does 30 surgeries a week, average time is 35-50 minutes. I hope he counts his fingers after each surgery. He does require that all his patients contact 10 former patients, get letters of support from family members, read patient manual and write an 11 page paper on this surgery, how it will affect your life, what to expect from him and what you have to do on your behalf. Dr R then reads everything and either accepts or declines you. He no longer accepts Medicaid or Tricare Insurances and is going to require a $1000-$3000 (yet to be determined)deposit. Just two more observations from me. First as an adult I do not feel that I should have to write a term paper about surgery. That's why he went to med school and I didn't. Why do I need my families' permission (support letter) to have WLS? I am doing this for me and not for anyone else. Last but not least, Dr Gonzales, in Winston-Salem, NC, is a former student of Dr. R's and does the exact same surgery without all the "hoops". Just a thought.
   — Dee T.

August 20, 2000
My surgeon said at the bariatric conference he goes to, that alot of surgeons there consider it malpractice to do the mini gastric bypass on anyone.
   — [Anonymous]

October 11, 2000
ATTENTION Robert Rutledge Bans everyone from open discussion on his internet site that has an OPPOSING view or complications when the heat gets to HOT. Melissa Feel free to write me privately or join this group [email protected]
   — Melissa D.

May 22, 2001
On his web site, he is now saying that he is no longer accepting insurance. The fact is that insurance is no longer accepting him. BCBS has disallowed any payments to him; seems he was billing for one procedure while in reality, performing another. Other insurance companies were soon to follow suit, so I'm sure he saw the writing on the wall.
   — [Anonymous]