Center for Obesity Surgery Bariatric Center

I met Dr. Rutledge at a seminar in Greensboro, NC. I had been dealing with several of the ladies in his office and was fortunate to meet them as well.

I was incredibly impressed by this team. Dr. Rutledge is charming and made me feel very comfortable. Each of the ladies were quick to smile and offer assistance. We were also able to meet a couple of surgeons Dr. R is training and some hospital staff.

He is very thorough when explaining the procedure. It is important to him that you understand everything that will happen before, during and after. Dr. R does NOT do surgery on just anyone. You must meet his criteria for candidacy, and be willing to put a lot of effort into learning about the procedure.

The only thing I did not like in the seminar was that it seemed a little like a sales pitch. Maybe this is because most of the people present had never heard of MGB, and I'd already done tons of research, so it felt repetitive.

I'm hoping that I will have surgery with Dr. Rutledge within the next few weeks.

I felt very comtable with my surgeon. <BR> He was confident, and he explained the good <BR>and the bad. Not to mention that he is all so cute. <BR> The program really stess after care for 18 months.

Dr Rutlge"s web site has more info re wls
then I have anywhere else. He was a trauma
Surgeon prior to developing the MGB. He has done 2000 over past 5 years.

Dr. Sarantos is wonderful!!!!!!!!
Would recommend him to anyone considering this surgery!
I love the fact that he treats me like a person not some fat blob, he's straight up with me, about what he expects from the surgery, and from me after the surgery.

His office staff are great!!

future patients should know that he's the best!
aftercare is probally second to surgery, He believes in a strict aftercare reigem.
He has a great aftercare program.

He was straight up with me about the risks involing surgrey, and wanted me to discuss any fears I had with him.
He's a A++++++++++++++++
Both

I was very impressed with Dr. Rutledge and his operation.

He and his associates treated me and my wife with respect, integrity, intelligence and care.

I would strongly recommend him.

Dr Sarantos not only assisted in my original weight loss surgery, he also has preformed my hernia repair and tummy tuck. I feel fortunate to have had a such a supportive doctor thoughout my long and exciting adventure. Dr Sarantos sort of inherited me for my hernia repair and tummy tuck from my orignal weight loss surgeon Dr. Eric Thoburn who is also excellent. I have and will continue to recommend both for any surgery not just weight loss issues. Both are very accessible and attentive. Dr Sarantos has agreed to come in and chat with us. I am excited for everyone to get to talk to him he is very much into discipline and being there to answer questions for all his patients.

Dr. Sarantos is a very fine surgon he is carring and very cautious he kept me in pcu for 5 days befor sending me to the main floor where i was discharged 2 two days latter his pa is real nice she has called everyday since i left the hospitl making sure i'm doing what i should be doing
for the ladys to know he is real gooid looking if you like tall dark and handsome :)
overall he an excellent surgon

WONDERFUL!!!!!!!

APPROVED!!! I had my first consultation with Dr. Sarantos on 03/11/03 and at that time turned in my Psychiatrict letter as well as my letter of medical neccessity from my Primary Care. On 03/14/03 I faxed to Shirley my updated lab report and a some additonal information that was requested. On 03/21/03 Shirley left a message on my answering machine telling me that my insurance company has given their approval. On monday I will be calling his office to pay my copay and hopefully getting a surgery date at that time.

After many go-arounds with my previous surgeons office, and my continued failing health issues, I have decided to Cash Pay. I have Chosen Dr. Rutledge in NC for the short operative time and recovery period. I am looking forward to better health! I have been impressed so far with Dr. R and his staff some of whom I met at a Las Vegas seminar last December.
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Dr Estakhri was my previous surgeon. I am sure she is a fine surgeon, but I think they need to rethink their process for sending patients for approval to the insurance. That is the very last thing they do, they get your hopes up, you get excited about your new life, and then *BAM* Denied. Oh well...
My husband & I met with Dr. Eskahri 12/18. I was very impressed with her and her team. It was clear that they were running late because I was not seen until about 1 hour past my appointment time, and we were interrupted a few times by some urget pages the doc received, which did not bother me at all. If I were in need of her right away, I would hope she would interrupt a consultation for me too! When she did meet with us, she took all the time we needed to answer our questions and explain the surgery and the risks involved. Their program consists of many things other than just surgery, there is a staff dietician, therapist, and nurse coordinator. After you have met with each of them, they meet as a team once a month to determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery. This is the only downside, it will still be mid January before I know if I am approved by thier team. Then they give you pre-op requirements, such as lose some weight and THEN once you meet those reqirements, they will submit to insurance for approval. That is my biggest worry, my insurance seems to like to make people appeal a few times. After I met with the surgeon and the nurse coordinator, I spent some time talking to the office manager about my insurance. She was encouraging and said they havent had too many problems with Aetna.