Center for Obesity Surgery Bariatric Center

Dr Rutledge is offering something that I could find no where else. He has a great track record and his skill is fantastic. I can't say enough about my surgery and the professionalism of Dr rutledge and his team. They were so knowledgable. Many on his team have had the surgery and know first hand what you are going through. The hospital I stayed at in Statesville was one of the best I have ever been in, the staff was great.

Dr Rutledge requires alittle more then most doctors in the pre-op phase, but it is worth every minute you spend preparing. I wish I would have met him 10 years ago.

Thanks you Dr Rutledge for making a difference in my life.

What surprises me is the fact that he did explain the necessities to my bf and I. Rather quickly! It was as if we were on an assembly line. The nutritionist is one of those 95 lb. women who has that look on her face (you know the one that incredulous look of "how did you ever get to this point?") The nurse was and is wonderful, thre coordinator is great with her (Needless)presentation. I've had several phone conversations with the insurance coordinator (Shirley) and she is extremely helpful. All in all, I feel they've done their jobs so well that they are starting to treat people like numbers instead of individuals. This website has answered more questions than they have at the surgeon's office. So AMOS. Cheers to YOU!

I have only seen Dr. Sarantos one time so far. My first impression was that he knew the surgery well, that he was very compassionate, he listens to your concerns and educates you so that you understand the total process. I feel very comfortable and I believe that he will do a great job.
He was straight to the point with the risks of the surgery, but very confident that if I followed his directions, everything should go without complications. Dr. Sarantos has an 18 month program that I feel is esential in the changing of my life.

July 26th
I have a new surgen, Doctor Peter Sarantos from Gainesville. I have my first consult with him on Aug 5th. I have heard wonderfull things about him. I cant wait, im so excieted. I will post more after my appointment.

August 5th
I meet Dr Sarantos, He seened kind & compasionate. He didnt rush me & he took the time to answer any questions i had. The whole office seems great. On my first appointment i spoke to the Doctor & the Nutrisonalist in his office. The last step befor i left was to speak to his assistant/billings clerk. I left my first appointmnet energized & with hope

he is grate
they just got better
very helpful
nothing
that he has a grate bedside manner
alot on doing the rite thing
yes
he tell the truth
the best
both

I thought he was well rehearsed when I visited the first open clinic given. (Understandably since he does this several times a week)

My impression changed when I met him on a personal level. I realized he really wants to help overweight people have a normal life.

The staff is very good. They answered any and all of your questions. They have a web site and a 24/7 chat room and all the staff members have lap top computers and cell phones that are accessable by us the patient at anytime of anyday we need to talk with someone from the office. If you do get a voice mail or end up e-mailing the staff member that you want, your bound to get a answer within a few minutes to a few hours. Very good turn-around time.

I do not have a feeling of dislike for him.

My surgeon is very busy, but will answer all your questions in lenght and detail in person or over the web.

Aftercare is a huge concern. You must do a comprehensive packet before your even considered for this operation. Included in this packet is the aftercare program which you must adheard to strickly.

yes, the aftercare program is very important and structured. One benefit is the monthly check in process with Dr. Rutledge over the web. If you forget, a staff member will be calling you.

All risks are discussed in full detail. Nothing is withheld.

Dr. Rutledge is a very good guy. He has devoted his life's practice to help obese people live longer. He only does WLS.

surgical competence

I have to admit I was a little scared since I found Dr Rutledge on the internet, and you never know how things can turn out. But I traveled to NC for my surgery, blind as to the personality of my surgeon, trusting my instincts. When I met him one on one for the first time, I knew I made the right choice. He didnt rush me, he answer all my questions, and my moms questions without making us feel stupid, and he answered them in terms my mom could understand. His office staff has since changed since my surgery, but they were all very helpful and sincere. Dr Rutledge made sure you are aware of the risks of weight loss surgery, and how its not a simple solution. Its a life changing operation, that needs commitment on the patients side. FOR LIFE! I am three yrs out now, and Im sure if I called him today, he would be very glad to hear from me. He makes you feel like you are his only patient, and that you are special. He treats you like a person, not a fat slob who is too lazy to go on a diet. (which we all know thee are some docs out there who do that) I would go and have him do this surgery again...I have no regrets and not one doubt that he was the right surgeon for me. I wish that there was an easier way for people to afford this MGB over other weight loss surgery and the drawback to Dr Rutledge right now is the insurance, and he is private pay first. I wish the govt would see the need to help people get this surgery for better quality of life.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF DR. RUTLEDGE WAS 'HOLLYWOOD'. HE WAS SO POLISHED FOR SO EARLY IN THE MORNING. HE WAS ALL SPIT AND SHINE. MY IMPRESSION OF HIM DID NOT CHANGE OVER TIME. HE WILL ALWAYS BE 'DOC HOLLYWOOD' TO ME. HIS STAFF IS COMPRISED OF VERY DEDICATED, HARD WORKING AND KIND PEOPLE, MOST OF WHOM HAVE HAD THIS SURGERY THEMSELVES! THEY WALK THE WALK AND TALK THE TALK. DR. RUTLEDGE'S LEAST LIKEABLE TRAIT IS TO MAKE TOO LIGHT OF A SERIOUS SITUATION. I THINK FUTURE PATIENTS SHOULD KNOW THAT HE HAS REALLY REVOLUTIONIZED THE BARIATRIC SURGERY FIELD AND FOR THAT HE SHOULD BE DULY NOTED. THE EMPHASIS ON AFTERCARE IS EXTREME, BUT IN A GOOD WAY. DR. CHERY AND THE REST OF HIS STAFF ARE VERY STERN WHEN IT COMES TO AFTERCARE. THEY KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS AND THEY KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS AS WELL. THE AFTERCARE PROGRAM IS VERY STRUCTURED. THEY ADDRESSS THE RISKS OF SURGERY BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE SURGERY IS DONE. I WOULD RATE DR. RUTLEDGE OVERALL AS A 9.9 OUT OF 10. IN THIS ARENA OF THE SURGICAL RELM, BOTH SURGICAL COMPETENCE AND BEDSIDE MANNER ARE OF EXTREME IMPORTANCE!!! THIS IS THE MOST EMOTIONAL SURGERY THAT THERE IS. IT IS A FORM OF PLASTIC SURGERY IN A WAY. IT CHANGES YOU FROM THE INSIDE OUT!

My first impression of Dr. Rutledge was that he was definitely the funny, caring man that everyone told me about. I met him for the first time the day of surgery, because I live out of town, and I felt so comfortable with him doing the surgery. He is such a wonderful man and surgeon. His office staff is amazing, they really take the time to get to know you personally, even though they are really busy, and I like that a lot of his staff have had the surgery themselves. The only thing I did not like to much was that I did not get to spend much time with Dr. R. but that was my fault. because he was willing to talk to each one of us if we wanted to, I just did not have any questions, because he already answered them. Future patients should know that Dr. Rutledge is a very good surgeon, and if you decide to choose him, you should kow you have made the right decision. He will not let you down. Dr R has an extensive aftercare program that everyone must agree to follow, or you cannot have the surgery. And he makes you write a paper on a variety of topics which include all the risks of this surgery. I am very pleased that I traveled from Michigan to North Carolina to have Dr. Rutledge be my surgeon.

I've met with Dr. Sarantos twice. He is very concerned that you understand every aspect of the surgery and that your willing to make the life changes that will make both you (the patient) and him (the surgeon) sucessful. I felt very comfortable with him and felt that his staff and dietician had a great game plan to help their patients. They have an 18 months follow up plan with the dietician to make sure your mind and body try to go hand and hand. I know I will have great success in his hands.