Center for Obesity Surgery Bariatric Center
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Dr. Robert Rutledge, is currently practicing in Las Vegas, Nevada, NC. He is one of the nicest, caring and most professional surgeons you will ever meet. Before having surgery with him, he has devised a complete learning process that allows the patient to be fully educated and aware of all the necessary information regarding the procedure as well as pre-op and post-op guidelines. He has a website at: www.clos.net. This site is full of helpful information. Currently he is training other surgeons and opening offices all over the US.
I would highly recommend him for this procedure.
Dr. Rutledge is a gifted and talented surgeon. He is kind and really understands the obese patient. He is a pioneer and has saved my life. He is currently operating in Las Vegas, not Joplin MO.
There is some contraversy about his procedure the Mini-gastric bypass. In my opinon and those of hundreds of his patients, and our PCPs who have nothing to gain by supporting or not supporting the MGB, it is a desirable surgery. Many surgeons object because the procedure costs less and is "new". My surgery took less than an hour and I was home in less than 24 hours. I DID require a revision as I was more than 200 pounds overweight. Some small percentage of people do not lose ALL their excess weight, but this is true of EVERY wls. I have not had any issues with re-gain. It was a great choice for me. Do your research, make your own decisions. I have NO regrets about my decision, but I did a LOT of research before making a decision. I would trust my life (I DID!) and that on anyone I loved and cared about with Dr. Rutledge.
First impression: Cocky, and rightly so!
Later impression: He hung the moon for me!
Office staff: Top notch!
Liked least: Nothing!
Future patients should know that this is the BEST program in the world, bar none!
Aftercare: Extraordinary followup -- that's why this program is so exceptional!
CLOS has a VERY structured aftercare program.
I was fully informed on all risks of this program/surgery.
I would rate this program and surgeon as TOP NOTCH!
Dr. Rutledge excels at surgical competence and has a good bedside manner. I chose him for his surgical competence. Dr. Rutledge and his staff have excelled in all aspects of my care. I have nothing negative to report.
Dr Rutledge is VERY enthusiastic about his laporascopic MGB procedure. He has moved to Los Vegas but Dr. Dasher is continuing the CLOS procedure in Statesville NC.
Dr. Rutledge is an excellent surgeon and is very through and professional in his selection procedure. He requires a great deal of eduction, research and commitment to life style changes from all patients in order to screen out potential problems - his patent manual is 100 pages! He limits the MGB to 350 pound individuals so his post-op complications and recovery are amazingly short and pain free. I believe he cares about each and every patient and genuinely wants to help us. I would rate him excellent on both surgical competence and bedside manner. He was a professor and is very knowledgeable but approachable and chatty, and has a well developed web site.
He will answer most questions one has but has not the data on long term bile reflux problems other surgeons want to refute their concerns about the modified Billroth 2 technique he uses that I requested. Unfortunately his MGB procedure is not accepted by most of the Bariatric community and he has had bad publicity and a law suit regarding bile reflux and the MGB. (which I understand He won)
On the otherhand most of his patients adore him and the operation to the point where he has almost a cult-like following. I interviewed over 50 past MGB patients and did not discover the bile reflux problems detractors claimed. However if one is unlucky to get a bad case of reflux it will probably need revision. Mind you the operation is only about 7 years out so long term data is unavailable. I do not have bile reflux problems at 4 months post op and have lost 50 pounds with minimal problems.
Aftercare is a structured program that PCP's are to follow. I am involved in an active local MGB support group. The patient manual goes into great detail about the risks of surgery and I have never seen a more through patient sign-off procedure. pre-op one reads, initials, summarrizes and signs off on numerous risk catagories.
His office staff (CLOS staff) are very, very through, most have had the procedure themselves and are willing to answer any questions. The CLOS system is a franchise type of operation where Dr. R has trained other surgeons by supervising 100 operations and taking on the more difficult cases himself.
I guess the thing I liked least was his inability to tell me what the longer term (more than the 30 day stats) on serius bile reflux problems, and his strong Marketing approach. I would like to see more about long term diet follow up but realize that each patient is very individualistic in food tolerances.
I and the 5 close friends who have had the MGB are amazed at the efficacy of the MGB procedure and highly recommend it - in spite of the bad rep about bile reflux.
I decided I would take my chances with the MGB and bile reflux over the Roux en Y and Dumping Syndrome, and at this point I am very happy I did.
Dr. Rutledge is the most unique surgeon I have ever met. He may be a bit pricey but he makes SURE you know what you are getting into BEFORE surgery. You have to follow this 12 item check list before you are even considered. You will have a patient manual that explains the surgery, the other types of surgery, statistics of weight loss progression, pre and post op directions. Almost everything you will ever want to know. Once you submit this packet, you are evaluated and approved or not approved. Once you have approval, you have your surgery. You will be totally aware of what will happen to you and know most of the adversities or common side affects BEFORE you enter the hospital. He is extremely skilled in his job and bar any complications, your surgery is within about 30 minutes. You are home the next day. Recover, for most, is very fast. One thing he stresses in this packet is that you definitely have family support and a local doctor's support before he will accept you. He wants you to depend alot on your family doctor for your aftercare and wants you to keep in touch. He has follow up forms plus he wishes to see you if possible a few times that first year. He has two email groups in which you get alot of support from your fellow postops as well as help those preops who desire the surgery. His website is http://clos.net.
The negatives.. well, he isn't perfect. He cannot guarantee everyone will have rapid and total weight loss. He is not God and doesn't know our bodies and how they will react. Too many people expect this of him and he cannot offer this assurance. He cannot offer 100% no side affects. He does not take insurance! He may in the future. HOWEVER, this does NOT mean you can't get insurance approval and be reimbursed!
I WOULD DO THIS A ZILLION TIMES AGAIN AND AGAIN!!! IT'S WORTH ALL THE NEGATIVES!!
The first time I met Dr. Rutledge was at an informational meeting for the Mini-Gastric Bypass. He was very knowledgable, personalble and had a great sense of humor. My impression of him only improved over time. He has an amazing bedside maner and really cares for his patients. The only complaint I have is that he always seemed a bit rushed. His office staff is the best. They are all former patients of his and know first hand what you are going through. Dr. Rutledge is a stickler for follow-up and makes you sign a legal document stating that you agree to follow-up with him yearly for the rest of your life. He insists that you contact him daily for the first week after your surgery and he is the only Dr. I have ever seen that hands out his cell phone number. The risks of surgery are very well documented and you have to go over them all and summarize them in your own words. People who have surgery with Dr. Rutledge return and bring their loved ones to have the surgery. I don't think there is a better compliment than that. I will always be grateful to Dr. Rutledge.
Dr.Rutledge was a very good and thorough physician.He exolained all the pros and cons every step of the way. He made the procedure go very easily and smoothly.
I would do this again in a New York minute.
His staff was great and very informative and helpful.
There is nothing I could think of.
That this is the best form of weight loss surgery,The Mini Gastric Bypass.
He tells you what you should eat and not eat and what to drink and not drink,to protect your new stomach.
Yes,He has a printed booklet that explains everything you should do and expect.
Explains the worst that could happen.
Both were very good.
Okey you want negative the procedure brings terrible gas. The smell is horrible to everyone else thats all I can think of.