At the risk of getting flamed....

[Guest guest]

OK, I've got my hands over my head in a protective posture readying

for the flames, but ...I think the attacks on Walter Lindstrom are a

bit unwarranted. I don't know the guy, but I just reread his post and

I don't think he was nasty or unfair, and I don't think he deserved

all the venom in response. He is in a position to have much more

direct information from other doctors than most of us (doesn't make

him smarter or RIGHT, but gives him a different perspective) and

seems to have made a judgment based on the information he has to do

what he feels is right. He also seems willing to keep an open mind if

he gets more information to convince him otherwise. I don't

necessarily agree with him, but I respect that he is making a moral

and ethical choice he believes in.

I appreciate that he is offering his perspective so that those of us

seeking this surgery have all the information possible, and I

appreciate even more that Dr. Rutledge is open-minded enough (and

confident in his process) that he is allowing Walter's input and

promises to give more information in an effort to quell some of the

concerns.

I would hope that the lack of long-term information on this procedure

would be a concern for every one of us. I am not faulting Dr.

Rutledge at all for that, I know it's relatively new and he CAN'T

tell us for sure what's going to happen to our bodies 10 years down

the road, but of course that is a huge concern for me. But that's the

nature of being one fo the first to do something like this. Medical

history is littered with people who were maimed in some way by

medical procedures or drugs or whatever that seemed wonderful at the

time...until they figured out unfortunate side effects years later.

All you can do is get all the information you can, assess the risks

and make the best judgment you can. Some people on this board act

like anyone who raises legitimate questions should be stoned to the

death or something. My understanding was that this is a forum for

learning about the MGB, and supporting each other in our quest for a

healthy life, not just for mindless cheerleading.

I believe the MGB is the right procedure for me, and will continue to

fight with my insurance company for approval, but I very much WANT to

hear from those who have other viewpoints.

And nothing personal against attorneys--hey, some of my best friends

are attorneys--but I certainly don't think they are any better

equipped than anyone else to seek and assess information and make

decisions based on it. (I'm a lot more impressed with the various

people with medical background who have decided to pursue the MGB.)