Question:
DR RUTLEDGE,IS HIS SURGERY THE BETTER CHOICE

iam just trying to make the right choice here ,when it come to the surgery both types seem to be ok, but dr. rutledge,s type of surgery seems to be less painful. however from everything that i have read it just seems to good to be true. as far as the time in surgery and the cost as well as the hospital stay.please somebody please email me and give me some good advise [email protected]    — shirley A. (posted on July 21, 2000)

July 21, 2000
Shirley... you have to look into your own heart to answer this question. However, if it were me, I would not even consider it. There is not sufficient data to see the long-term of this procedure. Just my opinion.
   — Kris S.

July 21, 2000
Sorry to be so uneducated, but which procedure is it that Dr. Ruthledge proforms? Thanks for hte info., Leslie
   — Leslie A.

July 21, 2000
I am planning on having the Mini Gastric Bypass by Dr. Rutledge. I have spent hours researching the different types of surgery. I am a nurse and I have worked in surgery some. I know the risk of surgery. The longer you are under anesthesia the more risk there are. The open rny is such a long and invasive surgery. It has such a large incision and this makes for a greater chance of incision area opening and then having infection and makes it very slow to heal. Fatty tissue does not heal well and that's what makes you more likely to have problems with the incision to heal. The MGB has a very short hospital stay of 1-2 days. You do not have a nasogastric tube in your stomach and you do not have a drainage tube in the belly. Most of his patients are back to work in 1 week. Check out his web site and contact any of his patients.
   — Glenda E.

July 21, 2000
It seems that many people have their WLS with Dr. Rutledge, and are very happy and satisfied with his care and with the results they get. On the other hand, I have heard that some other prominent WLS surgeons in the U.S. are critical of Dr. Rutledge. His variation of the gastric bypass has the advantage that he can perform it more quickly and easily by lap (compared to the standard lap RnY). But, quicker and easier for the surgeon doesn't necessarily mean it is better for the patient, especially in the long run. So, do your research. Talk to as many of Dr. R's patinets as you can, and decide what you feel is best for you. Good Luck.
   — Lynn K.