Question:
What is Mini gastric bypass?

I've seen this term on this website but can't find an explanation anywhere..MJ    — Mary Jane C. (posted on July 23, 2003)

July 23, 2003
I have a micro pouch, which means the pouch that holds food is about the size of a grape. This is done so no revisions have to be made because of stretching the pouch.
   — Heidi J.

July 23, 2003
There is a doctor in one of the Carolinas that does it. His name is Rutledge and he does have a website. Whenever the subject comes up at our support groups, it is explained as a procedure that is not widely used, and can subject the patient to a higher incidence of ulcers and reflux if I am remembering correctly. It was not spoken about too positively. I don't rememebr the details though. Good luck!
   — Fixnmyself

July 23, 2003
If the intestine is not connected to the pouch properly, fecal matter can go into the pouch! This happens a lot with mini gastric bypass and I believe that quack in the Carolinas is the only person still doing it. I think he must get all his patients from Sue Widemark ,the anti-WLS crusader who *recommends* this and only this procedure. It is NOT the same as the micro pouch!
   — Chris T.

July 23, 2003
yes the quack is from North Carolina..lol...and his name is Dr Rutledge. The mini gastric bypass I've been told is very dangerous, and this guy is the only one that Ive heard of that does it. This surgery is NOT covered by any insurance and has a out of pocket cost of 17,000 dollars. Ive spoken to people who have gotten it who have had very serious metabolic problems because to much intestine was bypassed. Apparently this guy doesnt measure so you could end up with 7 inches bypassed or 7 inches that arent bypassed. Its a surgery that is claimed to take 15 mins to complete...who wants a surgery that takes just 15 minutes to complete? If youre going to rearrange my insides take your time!!! If you want something that is "less invasive" as the mini "claims to be" then id go for lap band...good luck
   — cinamoni

July 24, 2003
RUN, do not walk, but RUN away from anyone who suggests the mini-gastric bypass surgery! It is really just a repackaged version of a much older surgery that was abandoned because it is very dangerous. Patients die at a much higher rate than with the newer, tried-and-true surgeries, and complications from severe malabsortion of critical nutrients is common. It is not considered safe by the general medical community. It has an attractive name, but that's all that's attractive about it!
   — Vespa R.