Re: Mini-Gastric Bypass Public Information

[Guest guest]

I wonder if Dr. R has seen this site.

[Guest guest]

Hey,

Does anyone have that editoral of this Dr. Greves? What is it all

about? What is suddenly happening, with all this negative stuff coming

up?

Joyce

Still waiting in Indiana

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/28/2000 8:00:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

CMo6331945@... writes:

>

> I wonder if Dr. R has seen this site.

>

what site? I must have missed that post...

Holly

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/29/2000 12:07:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

lindat@... writes:

<< Most of the people commenting have large RNY practices and the

statistics of the MGB versus the RNY show that the MGB is superior in

every way

Kinda reminds me of the story of Tucker and the big three auto companies

running him out of business because they knew the car he developed was far

superior to what they had and instead of improving their own automobiles to

be equal, they instead went after him to shut him down, therefore saving

themselves the time and money of learning, training and changing their own

product.

It's too bad that they don't embrace what they must realize is a superior

surgery instead of trying to use scare tactics to try and pull people away

from Dr. R's MGB.

Cathy Morrow in Lenoir, NC

BMI 42

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

[Guest guest]

I don't know but it seems as though there are some jealous people in the world.

I wonder if Dr. R has seen this site.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

, I went to the website you posted and was certainly dismayed

by the commentators - a few whom I recognize to be highly regarded

weight loss surgeons. My first thought was that this website doesn't

even indicate authorship - highly suspicious. Anyone can put out a

website and make up quotes. However,if the quotes are real and raise

legitimate concerns I would have to say that Dr. Greve's editorial

was

tame compared to some of the concerns raised by these Doctors. I am

hoping that Dr. R takes as much care at addressing them for us as he

did in drafting his rebuttal to the Greve's editorial. I am a MGB

hopeful (package almost ready) but am glad that these challenges are

raised so they can be explained or refuted (as Dr. R did with the

editorial). While there surely is professional jealousy, ignorance

and

fear of change out there among competing approaches to weight loss

surgeries, legitimate concerns must be aired in order to

be answered and understood. This, I see is the bottom line of Dr.R's

application and approval process - he prepares and requires a well

informed patient on which to operate.

> This is what someone posted at another site. I haven't had time to

read it all, only the first surgeons comments. Has anyone ever seen

this?

>

> http://www.mini-gastricbypass.com/

>

> , Ms

> 5'3 "

> 240 Lbs

> BMI 41.6

> www.clos.net

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, look at who owns that website:

LOSA

NJ

617 Alvarado Road - 308

San Diego, CA 92120

US

Phone: 6192293824

Email: topgunhammer@...

Sounds like they have a VESTED interest in trying to attack the MGB.

Why? Because when it is shown to be *the gold standard* that it is,

their goldmine will have to shut down or learn the SAFEST, MOST

EFFECTIVE techniques.

Secondly, the so-called " information " on that page is false. It's the

same yammering that the MGB is the " old Mason loop " which " caused ulcers

so it was abandoned. "

If the MGB is the same " Mason loop " and " causes ulcers, " then why does

the MGB have a LOWER ulcer rate than the RNY? Why do zero MGB patients

have esophagitis?

Hmmmmm?

They don't answer that and the reason is that what they are saying is

simply false. The MGB is not the old Mason loop, it doesn't cause

ulcers, and it is a lot safer and more effective than the " proven " RNY.

It's just that easy.

Read the facts, not the misinformed opinons of surgeons trying to

protect their cash cows:

http://www.clos.net/mgb-paper/MGB-Paper061300.htm

Especially interesting is the comment by Champion that the " VBG " is a

proven method -- it's been proven to be ineffective, fails most often,

and has numerous complications -- no facts provided by him, just

opinion, and that opinion is provably wrong. I'm sure glad I didn't go

to him! But he does perform the VBG -- gee, wonder if there's a

connection? LOL!

wrote:

>

> This is what someone posted at another site. I haven't had time to read it

all, only the first surgeons comments. Has anyone ever seen this?

>

> http://www.mini-gastricbypass.com/

>

> , Ms

> 5'3 "

> 240 Lbs

> BMI 41.6

> www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

LINDA! LINDA! HOW DID YOU FIND THAT OUT? I KNEW IF ANYONE COULD DO THAT

YOU COULD.

IT''S SO SNEAKY AND SLEASY. ESPECIALLY IF YOU'VE BEEN PRIVY TO THE COMENTS

OF A'S ALUMNI.

Judith in Seattle

Re: Mini-Gastric Bypass Public Information

> Well, look at who owns that website:

>

> LOSA

> NJ

> 617 Alvarado Road - 308

> San Diego, CA 92120

> US

> Phone: 6192293824

> Email: topgunhammer@...

>

>

> Sounds like they have a VESTED interest in trying to attack the MGB.

> Why? Because when it is shown to be *the gold standard* that it is,

> their goldmine will have to shut down or learn the SAFEST, MOST

> EFFECTIVE techniques.

>

> Secondly, the so-called " information " on that page is false. It's the

> same yammering that the MGB is the " old Mason loop " which " caused ulcers

> so it was abandoned. "

>

> If the MGB is the same " Mason loop " and " causes ulcers, " then why does

> the MGB have a LOWER ulcer rate than the RNY? Why do zero MGB patients

> have esophagitis?

>

> Hmmmmm?

>

> They don't answer that and the reason is that what they are saying is

> simply false. The MGB is not the old Mason loop, it doesn't cause

> ulcers, and it is a lot safer and more effective than the " proven " RNY.

>

> It's just that easy.

>

> Read the facts, not the misinformed opinons of surgeons trying to

> protect their cash cows:

>

> http://www.clos.net/mgb-paper/MGB-Paper061300.htm

>

>

> Especially interesting is the comment by Champion that the " VBG " is a

> proven method -- it's been proven to be ineffective, fails most often,

> and has numerous complications -- no facts provided by him, just

> opinion, and that opinion is provably wrong. I'm sure glad I didn't go

> to him! But he does perform the VBG -- gee, wonder if there's a

> connection? LOL!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> wrote:

> >

> > This is what someone posted at another site. I haven't had time to read

it all, only the first surgeons comments. Has anyone ever seen this?

> >

> > http://www.mini-gastricbypass.com/

> >

> > , Ms

> > 5'3 "

> > 240 Lbs

> > BMI 41.6

> > www.clos.net

>

>

> This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>

> To Unsubscribe Send and Email to:

MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Nothing to it. All domain names have to be registered with Internic, so

you just use " whois " to check their internic domain registration.

http://www.networksolutions.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois/

" Whois " was a longstanding unix/internet function/command that has been

bastardized to near disfunctionality by Internic but you can still use

it to find out who owns a domain.

Kind regards,

judith wrote:

>

> LINDA! LINDA! HOW DID YOU FIND THAT OUT? I KNEW IF ANYONE COULD DO THAT

> YOU COULD.

>

> IT''S SO SNEAKY AND SLEASY. ESPECIALLY IF YOU'VE BEEN PRIVY TO THE COMENTS

> OF A'S ALUMNI.

>

> Judith in Seattle

> Re: Mini-Gastric Bypass Public Information

>

> > Well, look at who owns that website:

> >

> > LOSA

> > NJ

> > 617 Alvarado Road - 308

> > San Diego, CA 92120

> > US

> > Phone: 6192293824

> > Email: topgunhammer@...

> >

> >

> > Sounds like they have a VESTED interest in trying to attack the MGB.

> > Why? Because when it is shown to be *the gold standard* that it is,

> > their goldmine will have to shut down or learn the SAFEST, MOST

> > EFFECTIVE techniques.

> >

> > Secondly, the so-called " information " on that page is false. It's the

> > same yammering that the MGB is the " old Mason loop " which " caused ulcers

> > so it was abandoned. "

> >

> > If the MGB is the same " Mason loop " and " causes ulcers, " then why does

> > the MGB have a LOWER ulcer rate than the RNY? Why do zero MGB patients

> > have esophagitis?

> >

> > Hmmmmm?

> >

> > They don't answer that and the reason is that what they are saying is

> > simply false. The MGB is not the old Mason loop, it doesn't cause

> > ulcers, and it is a lot safer and more effective than the " proven " RNY.

> >

> > It's just that easy.

> >

> > Read the facts, not the misinformed opinons of surgeons trying to

> > protect their cash cows:

> >

> > http://www.clos.net/mgb-paper/MGB-Paper061300.htm

> >

> >

> > Especially interesting is the comment by Champion that the " VBG " is a

> > proven method -- it's been proven to be ineffective, fails most often,

> > and has numerous complications -- no facts provided by him, just

> > opinion, and that opinion is provably wrong. I'm sure glad I didn't go

> > to him! But he does perform the VBG -- gee, wonder if there's a

> > connection? LOL!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > wrote:

> > >

> > > This is what someone posted at another site. I haven't had time to read

> it all, only the first surgeons comments. Has anyone ever seen this?

> > >

> > > http://www.mini-gastricbypass.com/

> > >

> > > , Ms

> > > 5'3 "

> > > 240 Lbs

> > > BMI 41.6

> > > www.clos.net

> >

> >

> > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

> >

> > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to:

> MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>

> To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com

[Guest guest]

Dr. Rutledge published his results from 657 patients in June and now

he's hearing from what should be " peer review. " However, the only " peer

review " comments have all claimed the MGB is the old " Mason loop " and

causes ulcers, when in fact, the MGB isn't the old Mason loop and nobody

has any ulcers.

Most of the people commenting have large RNY practices and the

statistics of the MGB versus the RNY show that the MGB is superior in

every way to the RNY -- safer, much easier on the patient, less

complications, etc.

I'd say that they are seeing their cash cows about to be gored and they

will either have to learn this safer, more effective technique, or be

sued for malpractice when patients find out they knew about the MGB but

didn't do it.

How can you explain doing an open RNY on somebody when the MGB is

avaailable?

Kind regards,

Jjtoan@... wrote:

>

> Hey,

> Does anyone have that editoral of this Dr. Greves? What is it all

> about? What is suddenly happening, with all this negative stuff coming

> up?

>

> Joyce

> Still waiting in Indiana

>

>

> This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>

> To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com

[Guest guest]

, How did you find out who owns the site. I looked for that info and

couldn't find it. Is this person supposed to be someone special?

Goodnight all, have to work tomorrow

, MS

5'3 "

240 Lbs

BMI 41.6

www.clos.net

Well, look at who owns that website:

LOSA

NJ

617 Alvarado Road - 308

San Diego, CA 92120

US

Phone: 6192293824

Email: topgunhammer@...

Sounds like they have a VESTED interest in trying to attack the MGB.

Why? Because when it is shown to be *the gold standard* that it is,

their goldmine will have to shut down or learn the SAFEST, MOST

EFFECTIVE techniques.

Secondly, the so-called " information " on that page is false. It's the

same yammering that the MGB is the " old Mason loop " which " caused ulcers

so it was abandoned. "

If the MGB is the same " Mason loop " and " causes ulcers, " then why does

the MGB have a LOWER ulcer rate than the RNY? Why do zero MGB patients

have esophagitis?

Hmmmmm?

They don't answer that and the reason is that what they are saying is

simply false. The MGB is not the old Mason loop, it doesn't cause

ulcers, and it is a lot safer and more effective than the " proven " RNY.

It's just that easy.

Read the facts, not the misinformed opinons of surgeons trying to

protect their cash cows:

http://www.clos.net/mgb-paper/MGB-Paper061300.htm

Especially interesting is the comment by Champion that the " VBG " is a

proven method -- it's been proven to be ineffective, fails most often,

and has numerous complications -- no facts provided by him, just

opinion, and that opinion is provably wrong. I'm sure glad I didn't go

to him! But he does perform the VBG -- gee, wonder if there's a

connection? LOL!

wrote:

>

> This is what someone posted at another site. I haven't had time to read it

all, only the first surgeons comments. Has anyone ever seen this?

>

> http://www.mini-gastricbypass.com/

>

> , Ms

> 5'3 "

> 240 Lbs

> BMI 41.6

> www.clos.net

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com

[Guest guest]

wtg linda for that info. he has a big web page and yep you r right he would

have to relearn the right way to do wls. lol thanks again hugs marg

[Guest guest]

Just remember, paper will hold still for anyone to write on.

Re: Mini-Gastric Bypass Public Information

> , I went to the website you posted and was certainly dismayed

> by the commentators - a few whom I recognize to be highly regarded

> weight loss surgeons. My first thought was that this website doesn't

> even indicate authorship - highly suspicious. Anyone can put out a

> website and make up quotes. However,if the quotes are real and raise

> legitimate concerns I would have to say that Dr. Greve's editorial

> was

> tame compared to some of the concerns raised by these Doctors. I am

> hoping that Dr. R takes as much care at addressing them for us as he

> did in drafting his rebuttal to the Greve's editorial. I am a MGB

> hopeful (package almost ready) but am glad that these challenges are

> raised so they can be explained or refuted (as Dr. R did with the

> editorial). While there surely is professional jealousy, ignorance

> and

> fear of change out there among competing approaches to weight loss

> surgeries, legitimate concerns must be aired in order to

> be answered and understood. This, I see is the bottom line of Dr.R's

> application and approval process - he prepares and requires a well

> informed patient on which to operate.

>

>

> > This is what someone posted at another site. I haven't had time to

> read it all, only the first surgeons comments. Has anyone ever seen

> this?

> >

> > http://www.mini-gastricbypass.com/

> >

> > , Ms

> > 5'3 "

> > 240 Lbs

> > BMI 41.6

> > www.clos.net

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

<< How can you explain doing an open RNY on somebody when the MGB is

available? >>

It's easy to explain when you can't get the MGB because if your age. When I

questioned this before you wrote me a very good, sensible explanation -- but

that doesn't help! If I can't get the MGB then I'm being forced to get

whatever is available.

Unless, of course, Dr. R has a list of surgeons that do his procedure? Do

you know of any other doctor that does Dr R's procedure?

Thanks for your help!

Phyll4226@...

[Guest guest]

Does any one know the exact or if any has had a reverse MGB done and why they

had it reversed....is the 30 % number correct these people are stating

Kendra in WV

[Guest guest]

,

You are absolutely amazing !! I sit here day after day..pretty much

lurking...and am blown away each and every day that I read your posts !!

Is there no limit to you knowledge???

All I can say is...YOU GO GIRL !!!

in Fl :0)

>

>Reply-To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) egroups (DOT) com

>To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) egroups (DOT) com

>Subject: Re: Mini-Gastric Bypass Public Information

>Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 23:01:49 -0500

>

>Nothing to it. All domain names have to be registered with Internic, so

>you just use " whois " to check their internic domain registration.

>http://www.networksolutions.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois/

>

> " Whois " was a longstanding unix/internet function/command that has been

>bastardized to near disfunctionality by Internic but you can still use

>it to find out who owns a domain.

>

>Kind regards,

>

>

>

>

>judith wrote:

> >

> > LINDA! LINDA! HOW DID YOU FIND THAT OUT? I KNEW IF ANYONE COULD DO

>THAT

> > YOU COULD.

> >

> > IT''S SO SNEAKY AND SLEASY. ESPECIALLY IF YOU'VE BEEN PRIVY TO THE

>COMENTS

> > OF A'S ALUMNI.

> >

> > Judith in Seattle

> > Re: Mini-Gastric Bypass Public Information

> >

> > > Well, look at who owns that website:

> > >

> > > LOSA

> > > NJ

> > > 617 Alvarado Road - 308

> > > San Diego, CA 92120

> > > US

> > > Phone: 6192293824

> > > Email: topgunhammer@...

> > >

> > >

> > > Sounds like they have a VESTED interest in trying to attack the MGB.

> > > Why? Because when it is shown to be *the gold standard* that it is,

> > > their goldmine will have to shut down or learn the SAFEST, MOST

> > > EFFECTIVE techniques.

> > >

> > > Secondly, the so-called " information " on that page is false. It's the

> > > same yammering that the MGB is the " old Mason loop " which " caused

>ulcers

> > > so it was abandoned. "

> > >

> > > If the MGB is the same " Mason loop " and " causes ulcers, " then why does

> > > the MGB have a LOWER ulcer rate than the RNY? Why do zero MGB

>patients

> > > have esophagitis?

> > >

> > > Hmmmmm?

> > >

> > > They don't answer that and the reason is that what they are saying is

> > > simply false. The MGB is not the old Mason loop, it doesn't cause

> > > ulcers, and it is a lot safer and more effective than the " proven "

>RNY.

> > >

> > > It's just that easy.

> > >

> > > Read the facts, not the misinformed opinons of surgeons trying to

> > > protect their cash cows:

> > >

> > > http://www.clos.net/mgb-paper/MGB-Paper061300.htm

> > >

> > >

> > > Especially interesting is the comment by Champion that the " VBG " is a

> > > proven method -- it's been proven to be ineffective, fails most often,

> > > and has numerous complications -- no facts provided by him, just

> > > opinion, and that opinion is provably wrong. I'm sure glad I didn't

>go

> > > to him! But he does perform the VBG -- gee, wonder if there's a

> > > connection? LOL!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > wrote:

> > > >

> > > > This is what someone posted at another site. I haven't had time to

>read

> > it all, only the first surgeons comments. Has anyone ever seen this?

> > > >

> > > > http://www.mini-gastricbypass.com/

> > > >

> > > > , Ms

> > > > 5'3 "

> > > > 240 Lbs

> > > > BMI 41.6

> > > > www.clos.net

> > >

> > >

> > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at

>Onelist.com

> > > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> > > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

> > >

> > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to:

> > MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

> >

> > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to:

>MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com

>

>

>This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

>Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

>Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>

>To Unsubscribe Send and Email to:

>MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com

>

>

_________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at

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[Guest guest]

Hi. Dr Rutledge states on his website that four out of the 900 or so

proceedures that he had done have been reversed. Pam Greer posts

often and she had her's reversed because of nausea and excessive

weight-loss. The other three were reversed for one or both of the

above reasons. The reversals were all done in less than an hour and

were said to be successful.

Stormy

> Does any one know the exact or if any has had a reverse MGB done

and why they

> had it reversed....is the 30 % number correct these people are

stating

>

> Kendra in WV

[Guest guest]

> Does any one know the exact or if any has had a reverse MGB done

and why they

> had it reversed....is the 30 % number correct these people are

stating

>

> Kendra in WV

Kendra, I went back and found Pam's story of her reversal. She posted

this on the list a couple of weeks ago, so I hope she won't mind me

re-posting it for all of the new folks who are trying to make the

decision of which surgery to have. As I stated before, there have

only been four reversals out of 900 so far, and this is Pam's story

of her decision to have her surgery reversed.

Stormy

Message 41657 of 44359 [ Reply ] [ Forward ] [ View

Source ]

From: Pam Greer <psgreer@a...>

Date: Sun Aug 13, 2000 8:03pm

Subject: Re: Deborah Contacts Needed

Dear Deborah,

I am 17-18 months post-op. My experience with Dr, R's MGB has been a

mixed

bag. I have written an 18 month journal which includes many problems

which

" can " but do not usually occurr. The journal turned into more of a

" novel "

once I started typing it so I warn you....take it with you into your

" library " (ours is my bathroom, if I can get the door shut before the

herd

of wild poodles join me!) and settle in for a long read.

Since several pre-ops and even a few post-ops have requested a copy

of my

" Dying To Be Thin " missive I am posting it once more to the main

board.

Please pay particular note to the UPDATE info at the bottom of the

jjournal.

If after reading it you have more questons please call me @ 828-754-

3822 or

e-mail me with my name & /or Journal in the subject line. I will be

unsubscribing to the main list but will stay connected through the

post-op

list.

Dear Janet,

Pam in NC here. I had MGB surgery on1-4-99. My pre-op wt. was 318,

my

lowest wt. (anorexic) was 143 and I am currently holding between 16-

170

since my MGB Reversal on October 24, 1999.

Awhile back I posted my journal entitled Dying To Be Thin which

details my

experiences over the past 18 months. It is very long, but I am

including it

in this message. If after reading my " War & Peace " version of MGB

surgery

experiences you have any questions, please call me or e-

mail me

and I'll try to answer them or point you to someone who can.

Dear Gang,

I've been away from the computer and group for so long that I hardly

know

where to begin. What I am attempting to do in this message is detail

my

experience with MGB surgery, how my life has changed because of it

and where

I am now.

Before I get into details let me say unevquivocally that I feel Dr. R

is a

top notch surgeon who will do everything in his power to see that

things go

smoothly and any problems which do arise are handled expediently.

None of the problems I have/had since my surgery are the result of

poor

medical care by Dr. R or Durham Regional. I apparently am in that 3%

of

patients who have been through this surgery and developed serious

complications that were not easily or quickly manageable.

My surgery date was Jan 4, 1999. I weighed 318 pounds pre-op. My

hospital

stay was only 2 days and I had relatively little pain after the first

day or

two. My at home recovery seemed to be going well too. The juice and

" liquid portion " of my diet were not difficult to maintain (But then

I've

always been a juice drinker). By the end of the first month I was

able (Dr.

R quit reading here.....) to eat a few bites of (ground) of turkey and

steak. The second month I started adding additional foods a few at a

time.

Everything seemed to be going well, except that I was disappointed

with my

rate of weight loss. It seemed like everbody else was losing faster.

I had

to keep reminding myself that everyone's metabolism has its own

natural

pace: some lose 2-3 pounds in a day or two and then don't lose for

another

week; some lose steadily at about 1/2 to 3/4 pound a day.

I really didn't notice much visual change or clothes size changes

until the

end of the 2 - 3 month. After that initial period I averaged 1-2

dress

sizes per month. This was with almost no exercise other than walking

and

occasionally water aerobics. ***No-No # 1: Don't sabotage your

progress by

skipping exercise. Even if it's only walking down your block or back

and

forth around your neighborhood, DO SOMETHING. This is one of those

don't do

as I do, Do as I say.... Now my weight loss is stabilized but the

rapid

weight loss without a regular exercise routine caused me to lose not

only

fat but muscle.

February 1999: By the end of Feb. I was having a lot of stomach

discomfort/pain and was getting nauseous. Dr. R and my family Dr.

conferred

and I started on Reglan, Propulsid, Prilosec, Zantac, Actigall....you

get

the picture.....if there was a " stomach " medicine out there I tried

it.

During this month the only things I could eat were Frozen Lemon

Slushes and

Dill pickles.

March 1999: Nausea and constipation continue. Began a series of

tests,

Edoscopy, ERCP, Flex. Sigmoidoscopy etc. They found no leaks but did

find a

" marginal " ulcer had formed at the edge of the new stapled stomach

where it

was joined with the new small bowel connection. The excess bile

" pools " in

the indention between this area and erodes the stomach lining.

Treatment of this ulcer which was not responding to conventional

medications

resulted in a cauterizing of the bleeding ulcer during an endoscopy

with

biopsy.

April 1999: Ulcer somewhat improved. Still a lot of foods I can't

eat,

some because they make me sick to my stomach and some that have just

lost

their taste. I was a meat and potatoes girl before surgery (and in

our

house gravy was a " beverage " ). Since this surgery (up to this point)

many

of the foods I loved before are no longer palatable to me: Potatoes

(Mashed, Stewed, (months later, fried), Catsup (which I ate with

almost

every dish) would sit and go bad before I could finish the bottle.

May 1999: Staying fatigued, noticed some weakness in my left arm and

leg,

couldn't sleep, depression returning because I was sick and tired of

being

sick and tired. Dr. R told me to use the " nibble & graze " eating

method----meaning 6, 8, 10 small meals/snacks a day instead of 1 or 2

big

meals.

June 1999: Epigastric pain gone; severe constipation set in requiring

frequent enemas and Citrucel and stool sofetener. (See Nov/Dec for

details

for more information on bowel habits)

July 1999: Getting ready to start back to work in our local school

system

after a two year absence; excited about going to summer conference.

Felt

great, was able to eat small portions (2-3 bites)

Got to summer conference and had to introduce myself to people who

hadn't

seen me for a while. Heck, I didn't even recognize myself when I'd

glance

in those floor to ceiling minors along the halls.....But, boy did I

look

good! Talk about an instant ego boost.....the looks from people who

knew me

(and especially from those who didn't know me before the MGB) were a

trip......It really added to my confidence level. About 80 lbs lost.

I hit the sales racks and went clothes crazy.....By this time I was

down to

a size 20/22 and sometimes an 18.

***NO-NO # 2: Buy only a few essential items a month. I now have a

closet

full of " professional " type clothing, most of which have never been

worn in

sizes ranging from 22-12.

August 1999: School began on August 1 for teachers (I was a vocational

guidance counselor). The first couple of weeks went well, but I

found I was

once again not able to eat. Everything made me feel like I was going

to

throw up and I literally could not stand the thought of any type of

" real "

food. I did manage dry Mixed Baby cereal (box), applesauce, popcorn

with no

butter. Bread was extremely difficult to digest and didn't really

taste

well either and the fresher the bread the worse the wadding up like

paste in

your mouth. I was lucky to be able to eat 300 calories a day.

September 1999: Problems increasing. Totally fatigued, mental

clarity

fading fast, increased migraine HA,

We went home for my Brother-in-Laws funeral and family members were so

shocked at my appearance that they called my husband Bobby aside and

asked

him what was going on.....I looked so out of it to them that they

thought

intervention was necessary.

I had to go into the hospital for 3 units of blood because I was so

severely

anemic, all my electrolytes were out of whack, my protein levels were

in the

pits, my potassium was off the bottom scale, etc. I litterally did

not

have enough strength to walk by myself to the car from the Dr.'s

office.

When I got to the car and got the door open I had to use the steering

wheel

to help pull me into the car and then reach over with my right arm

and lift

my left leg into the car.

October: This is the month where it all reached a boiling point and

something had to be done or my doctors tell me I wouldn't have made it

another week or two.

I was hospitalized at the first of October for more tests and to try

to

build up my potassium via IVs since my body was not absorbing any

protein....even from the vitamins. *No-No # 3: Do Not Forget to

take your

Vitamins DAILY!!!!!!

During this hospital stay the results of an upper GI with Small Bowel

follow

through showed that my stomach was not emptying. What food I could

choke

down just sat in my stomach. The Gastroenterologist who saw me said

I had

" stomach paresis " which means basically that my stomach wasn't getting

signels to move the food on.

By October 22 when I went back to see my Family Doctor the results of

my

Chem-7, Smack 20 and whatever other hundred things they tested for

showed

drastically low numbers in all categories, especially, protein,

potassium.

Dr. Bowen (PCP) was so concerned that he called Dr. R on Saturday and

Dr. R

arranged for me to have my surgery reversed on Oct 24. We drove

straight to

Durham Regional Hospital and within an hour I was prepped and ready

for

surgery. The revision went smoothly and I was home 2 days later.

Everything seemed to be going fine. I still have to take 3

phenergren a day

along with Zantac and Prilosec if my stomach is acting up.

I still could not eat....even the thought of food made me want to

gag....forget Ensure, Boost etc...they were so rich I couldn't

tolerate them

either.

During my DRH stay I had to recieve 4 more units of blood. I lost 80

pounds

between late August and October when they un-did my bypass.

Everyone asks if I would do it all over again given the

problems/complications that have arisen. My answer is that if this

surgery

only affected me and it came to a point where I wanted it done or re-

done as

the case may be I would still be in favor of the procedure.

However, my husband feels differently. He is now vehemently opposed

to the

procedure...He says he would rather have a healthy 300 + wife than an

anorexic skeleton or someone whose 158 pound weight loss left no

quality of

life to be able to enjoy the " new " me.

Our daughter who at age 17 also had the surgery performed (

June 1,

1999) She has had excellent weight loss results (100 lbs) and now

wears an

11-12 jeans, and a medium/large shirt. She has had a great deal of

residual

pain, feels generally yucky, has had an appendectomy and gall bladder

surgery since her June operation.

September and October were my worst months...I was literally a walking

skeleton with just barely enough strength to " shuffle " across a

floor. I

had to hold on to someone or something to step up on a curb going

into a

store etc. The only thing that didn't happen was that my depression

was

relatively moderate considering the fact that my life and health were

(again, literally, and without trying to sound overly dramatic)

hanging in

the balance. My family physician, during October told me he didn't

think I

realized just how sick I was. I guess he was right. It wasn't until

late

December, after my revision and when I was once again healthy enough

to

begin to understand the gravity of the situation necessitating the

reversal

surgery that he confided that he really thought I might not survive if

something weren't done immediately. Feeding tubes were discussed

(even

after the surgery...see paragraph below) but on Saturday, October 23,

after

reviewing my latest lab (Chem 7, and 14 dozen (so it seemed) tests HE

phoned Dr. R and aprised him of the situation. Dr. R immediately

called me

and we determined that I would be driven to Durham early Sunday

morning and

would have reversal surgery that same day upon arrival.

At my lowest weight prior to the revision I had lost down to 145

lbs. Now I

am holding steady between 160 -170. I can eat again thanks to

Remeron (an

antidepressant which also stimulates appetite ..considered a bad side

effect

for most people, but was part of what I needed to stimulate my

appetite) and

erythromycin (an old-time antibiotic which has as one of its " side

effects "

stomach cramping). That's what I need to get the food moving. The

combination of the two have really helped. I can now eat pretty much

any

thing I want, but just in small portions. Dr. R's " nibble and graze "

philosophy has served both and I well since my revision.

November and December were spent trying to regain enough strength to

lead a

normal life instead of having to hang on to something to step up 2

very

short steps, up on a curb etc....I literally did not have the

strength to

lift my legs. I could not pick up or hold anything with my left hand

and

arm because they were so weak. It took all the energy I had just to

walk

from my bedroom to the living/dining/kitchen.

Since Jan. I have been improving. I am much more stable on my feet

now, but

still have to be careful about tripping or falling. My sense of

equilibrium

is still a little " iffy " at times, especially on downhill slopes and

uneven

ground. It has been (and continues to be) a slow process but I am

hopeful I

won't regain all my weight.

Here are a few more general observations and recommendations from me

to

everyone having this surgery.

****Read everything you can (good, bad, indifferent). Realize

that the

disclaimers on the website about MGB being major surgery with the

potential

for life threatening complications, some of which can be anticipated

and

some of which may not have been enumerated is true and be prepared

for all

contingencies. The human body and medical science (even in the most

skilled

hands of surgeons like Dr. R are a crap shoot at times.

*****Don't assume that because the first month or two go smoothly

that the

battle is won. Maintain a vigilant " follow up " plan with Dr. R and

your

primary care physician. Make your family and immediate support group

aware

of the danger signals in the event they " sneak up " on you like they

did me.

What I am going to say next will sound melodramatic to most and

hypochondriacal to others, but it is what I believe with all my heart

(hind

sight being 20/20 as they say): HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR MY MONTHLY, and

sometimes bi-monthly, VISITS WITH MY FAMILY DOCTOR I MIGHT NOT BE

ALIVE TO

BE TYPING THIS JOURNAL.

*****Don't " beat yourself up " if your weight loss doesn't seem to be

going

as fast as others who are posting their results. The " old hands "

will tell

you we have all had to fight the comparison/envy game. Everyone's

body

responds differently. Some lose 1/2 to 3/4 pound daily month after

month.

Others may not lose for a week and then suddenly realize they have

lost 3-4

pounds.

*****Take pictures at least every 3 months. You will be amazed at the

difference and the progress you are making will be more obvious to

you in a

photo than by looking in the same mirror every day.

*****Do not be afraid to query Dr. R about any problems you are

having. If

something can be done to fix them, he will know what that is. It may

take

several tries of different options but he will be with you every step

of the

way IF YOU STAY IN CONTACT. This is another one of my don't do as I

do, Do

as I say edicts.

*****Take advantage of the support group of pre- and post-op patients.

We've been there and done that, and we may have insights which can

help you

over the rough spots. Even those of us who have moved on with our

lives and

may not spend as much time on line or answer every query will help if

asked

directly. Sometimes the sheer number of e-mails if you are an active

member

of onelist are so daunting (especially to those who may not be

feeling well)

that it's too overwhelming even to begin to answer them. Those of us

old-timers though can usually point you to one or two others who are

or have

experienced the same things you may be facing and you can write them

directly. Personally, I will always take time to talk to someone if

they

phone me or even if they call and leave a message if I am not home, I

will

return the call within a day or two.

Below are a few of the questions which have been e-mailed to (my

daughter, age 18 as of 4-3-00) and myself. My answers will be OUR

experiences and may or may not happen the same way with you:

Q. How long had I been thinking about having this operation?

A. I was familiar with the " old " Roux-en-Y (? sp.) operation and

began

looking into possibilities other than diets, meds, nutritionists etc

in

early August of 1988 shortly after my mother died of a pulmonary

embolism

after years of hypertension, phlebitis, congestive heart failure and

even

sudden cardiac death experiences. My father died at the age of 52 of

a

heart attack. As my daughter is fond of remarking " Our gene pool

sucks! "

and I knew I had to do something. Since I was already on disability

leave

from work I thought this would be a good time to explore

possibilities.

Q. How did you hear about Dr. R and the MGB

A. I looked up Bariatric Physicians on the Web and began scanning

the info

about each and the " programs " they advocated. I wanted a physician

relatively close to home and found 2 in Charlotte and Dr. R in

Durham. I

actually had an initial visit with the surgeon in Charlotte, but he

only

performed gastroplasty (stomach stapling) and did not advocate " by-

pass "

surgery at all. Even he wasn't aware of Dr. R's procedure until I

told him.

Next I read and re-read everything I could that Dr. R had on his web

site.

Then I called his office and lo-and-behold the great man himself

answered

the phone (he even postponed temporarily leaving the office to go by

a chain

saw in preparation for a hurricane that was approaching). We talked

about

30 minutes and I decided I definitely wanted a face-to-face

appointment.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Q. Was it extremely hard to do the juice thing for the first month or

so.

A. Nope. This was the easy part for me but then I've always loved

juice so

this wasn't a real hardship. I did miss the " chewing " aspect of

eating and

when I started dreaming about Banana Nut Muffins I decided to " go off

the

wagon " and eat one. It tasted every bit as good as I expected but it

took

me 4 days to finish one muffin.

Q. Do I miss eating any foods? Have your tastes changed?

A. During the several month period when I couldn't eat because of

the ulcer

and later on the severe malnutrition and nausea I really missed

enjoying

food (any food) period. I guess it was at this point that I realized

just

how much of my life and itenirary revolved around meals, food, and

snacks.

Now that I can eat again without pain and limited nausea (controlled)

I am

once again getting pleasure and appreciation from food.

My tastes have changed drastically. For the first time in my

life that

I can remember a bottle of Ketchup had to be thrown away because it

spoiled

before I could finish it. My husband (once I was better) joked that

they

probably should have just hooked me up to a ketchup IV since I used

to have

a little food with my ketchup instead of the other way around. I was

a meat

and potatoes girl....it is just within the last couple of weeks that

I have

been able to eat baked potatoes...in fact the more bland the food, the

harder time I have eating it....go figure! I tend to go on binges of

eating

primarily one thing until I'm tired of it and then I move on to a new

food

" addiction " . Right now, I'm ending my Waldorf salad fixation period

and am

into steak (with BBQ sauce instead of Ketchup) and salad with Country

French

dressing. It is only within the last month that I have been able to

eat

ground beef. For months I couldn't tolerate meat (or vegetables for

that

matter) of any kind. I lived (if you can call it that) on dry Mixed

baby

cereal, dill pickles and an occasional bite or two of raisin bran or

corn

flakes....complete with protein powder as a condiment on all the

above. My

craving for sweets diminished, but I couldn't get enough salty

foods. I

don't know that there is any medical significance to that (other than

the

obvious fact that protein was obviously lacking), but that's the way

it was.

Q. Did you have any side effects and how long has it been since your

operation.

A. The side effects I experienced you've already read (provided

you've

stuck with this " War and Peace " version of my life since MGB

surgery. My

surgery was on Jan. 4, 1999. My pre-op weight was 318 pounds at

5'5 " . My

short term goal was to get below 250. My mid-range goal was to get

below

200. My long term goal was to be able to wear a size 16 or less.

's

long range goal was to be a size 11-12 or 9-10. She had surgery on

June 1,

1999. Her pre-op weight was 252 at 5'7 " . She now wears a size

Medium/Large

shirt and size 11/12 shorts, jeans (depending on the make). Her new

swimsuit is a size 12 and her dad may not let her out in public

because she

is a " killer " in the looks department now. She was always pretty,

but now

heads turn when she walks into a room. I'll try to get her to scan

in a

picture from her prom in April of 1999 and a current picture soon.

Q. How has it changed your life.

A. The most drastic changes other than health wise which you've

already

read about involve my relationship with food. I don't spend 3/4 of

my time

figuring out where and what I'm going to eat next. I have had to

develop

new interests. Until the health problems cropped up, I enjoyed being

able

to do things that " normal " size people think nothing of: Going to

Carowinds

or a fair and actually being able to fit into a ride; shopping in

clothing

departments I haven't visited since high school; being able to leaf

through

a Roaman's or Lane catalog and then chunk it in the garbage

can,

because I can buy clothes in almost any store now; fitting into a

booth in a

restaurant; being able to go through a turnstile at a concert hall or

amusement park without " lifting and throwing " my stomach over the bar

and

hoping it would turn!

It has also been a blast seeing the reactions of co-workers or

others (including family) who haven't seen me in several months.

They are

literally speechless and most don't recognize me until I speak to

them or

re-introduce myself.

Less positive changes include major hair loss (I look like a

chemo

patient), the slow recovery from my anorexic weight loss and protein

deprivation resulting in severe anemia. I also think that I look 10

years

older than I did when I weighed 300+. My face is thin now but it

seems to

have lost its youthful appearance. I look 46 now but then, I am 46

so maybe

my age has just finally caught up with me. It's also time to

consider a

panniculectomy to get rid of the excess stomach pouch....I only look

3-4

months pregnant now instead of 12!!!! I look pretty good with

clothes on,

but the " saggy, baggy elephant " look is obvious when the clothes come

off....One more reason to make sure you establish SOME TYPE of

EXERCISE

PROGRAM for post-surgery.

My body thermostat seems to be out of whack too. I stay cold,

chill

easily and dress in 4 layers of clothes. There have only been two

days this

spring that I have worn a short sleeve shirt. Oh well, maybe my air

conditioning bill will be considerably lower this year......I'll keep

you

posted.

Q. Would you do it again knowing what you know now?

A. If I were single yes, but I couldn't put my family through what

they

have had to deal with over the last year ever again if I have any

control

over the situation. My husband (for whom my weight has never been an

issue

in his love for or attraction to me) says he would rather have a 300+

pound

wife who had some quality of life, than a " skeletal...or worse mate.

says she would not recommend the procedure although all her labs look

great,

she has not experienced hair loss and can eat anything she wants. Her

current problems are more the result of her appendectomy and gall

bladder

surgery than the MGB.

Q. Have the health problems you were experiencing prior to the

surgery been

resolved?

A. Initially, my blood pressure was well within normal ranges

without BP

medicines. However, in the last 3 months my hypertension has

returned and I

am once again having to take medication. I also have experienced

severe

edema in my legs, ankles and feet. At one point for over a month my

legs

looked like gourds which were about to split open and my ankles

swelled over

my shoes. Aldactone (a diuretic which depletes potassium less than

others)

has helped as have Ted support hose.

Q. How much and how fast did you lose weight.

A. My weight loss averaged about 1/2 pound a day and I didn't hit a

plateau

until about the 2nd month for a week or so. on the other hand

lost

much more slowly at first, would go for almost a week without losing

any and

then show a weight loss of 3-4 pounds. PLEASE DON'T GET HUNG UP ON

THE

" POUNDS LOST MERRY-GO-ROUND.) Consider instead or at least in

addition the

loss of inches and clothes size.

The moral of this whole dissertation is that no one knows what is

right for

you but you. Only you can decide if the advantages outweigh the

risks.

Those of you who are now in the pre-op phase have the advantage of

having

100 or so people who are 6 mos. to a year post-op who can detail

their

first-hand experiences for you.

The sample patient letter on Dr. R's web site was written by me, so I

can't

say I didn't know what I was letting myself in for, but I honestly

did not

expect to have the severity of problems that I did. Fortunately for

most of

you who will choose to have this procedure you will be in the 93 -

95% of

patients who have few side effects or relatively minor complications

which

can be readily solved. Just be aware that the other 7% of us are out

here

and that you may fall victim to complications you never expected.

For those of you who are out-of-state especially.....It is ESSENTIAL

that

you maintain frequent contact with both Dr. R and your Primary Care

Physician!!!!! Make sure your personal support group knows the danger

signs. Call Dr. R with any questions (no matter how trivial they

seem). I

don't know when the man sleeps but he ALWAYS answers his pages and e-

mails.

Good luck. I believe in Dr. R and his procedure! Nothing that

happened to

me is the result of anything he did wrong, or sloppily or a

reflection on

his surgical skill and his dedication to those of us the rest of the

world,

including many in the medical profession have " written off " as

hopeless.

Above all else, he wants prospective patients to have a complete,

unbiased

picture of what lies ahead......Good luck to you all.

UPDATE - August 2000

For anyone who hasn't already given up on the 18 month odyssey

postings,

here is the latest news from the Greer family.

My weight has stabilized at around 175. My goal weight (forget those

" insurance " charts of expected height and size) was the 160-170

range. My

main goal was to be able to buy clothes at " regular " shops. My

strength is

back and until the last couple of weeks I've felt pretty good. Now I

have

been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (NOT a result of Dr. R or the MGB).

I am

also once again experiencing significant depression and lack of

motivation.

Add to that the edema in my feet and legs (they look like sausages

about to

split) and I have a new set of challenges.

However, the good news is my staying within that 10 pound " comfort "

goal/zone has been much easier than I expected it would be, but I am

still

being careful about what and when I eat. Dr. R's " nibble and graze "

philosophy has served me well.....I know I'm only going to be able to

eat a

bite or two at any one time so I just " munch " all day long.

Fortunately,

since my MGB with revision, I have discovered that the amounts of

food I can

eat at one time are about the same and I am hopefully not

" stretching " my

" cigar " shaped stomach.....but heck even that would be preferable to

inserting a feeding tube to get my protein and electrolytes absorbed

like

they needed to be.

I am scheduled for plastic surgery (panniculectomy) this coming

Wednesday,

August 16. It will be interestng to see what my weight is after they

cut

off my stomach " apron " ......the only problem I forsee is " Where will

I tuck

my napkin? " so it won't fall on the floor....LOL

If you have other questions please write back to my personal e-mail

rather

than the whole e-board and I'll try to respond ASAP.

Pam in NC

Pre-Op Wt 318 @ 5 ft. 5

MGB Surg.= 1/4/99

Lowest Wt.= 143 10/99

Reversal of MGB= 10/24

Current Wt= 170-175, Holding healthy and happy

[Guest guest]

kadbsn@... wrote:

> Does any one know the exact or if any has had a reverse MGB done and why they

> had it reversed....is the 30 % number correct these people are stating

>

> Kendra in WV

>

Realize that the people on that page are putting out false and

intentionally confusing information. The 30% figure refers to the old

" Mason loop " procedure.

Dr. Rutledge does not do the old Mason Loop procedure and he has had 4

cases, total, reversed, out of over 800. These were reversed due to

losing too much weight.

That is less than 1/2 of 1 percent.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the information....that site really threw me for a loop as a

pre-opper..and appreciate everyone clarifying their website...gee losing too

much weight right now sounds good to me...but understand why they had to have

the MGB reversed.

Kendra in WV

[Guest guest]

The 30% number in not correct. Dr. R said in clinic today that out of his

800 patients that only 5 had to have it reversed due to excessive wt loss or

due to iron deficenties. And he also said that if that happend the surgery

could be revered within 1 hr.

In Kannapolis

Re: Mini-Gastric Bypass Public Information

>

> Does any one know the exact or if any has had a reverse MGB done and why

they

> had it reversed....is the 30 % number correct these people are stating

>

> Kendra in WV

>

> This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>

> To Unsubscribe Send and Email to:

MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

That site looks pretty libelous (sp) to me. What is your legal

opinion?

-Ginny I.

mgb: 3/1/00

348/263

>

> > Does any one know the exact or if any has had a reverse MGB done

and why they

> > had it reversed....is the 30 % number correct these people are

stating

> >

> > Kendra in WV

> >

>

> Realize that the people on that page are putting out false and

> intentionally confusing information. The 30% figure refers to the

old

> " Mason loop " procedure.

>

> Dr. Rutledge does not do the old Mason Loop procedure and he has

had

4

> cases, total, reversed, out of over 800. These were reversed due to

> losing too much weight.

>

> That is less than 1/2 of 1 percent.