Thanks and an observation

October 2, 2000

First of all a thankyou to Dr. Rutledge for the information on

downloading the viewer from Microsoft-worked perfectly and I now have

my insurance letter. My observation: I am new and considering this

operation. I do not know the background of the two (apparently in

disfavor) who are referred to in the various letters. I DO KNOW I am

not comfortable when all I see painted is a very rosey picture and no

downside (which I am sure exists, such is life). T. makes some

very good points but I am also very impressed with Dr. Rutledge's

information on his web site. This is something I am beginning to

research, I have started a very thick notebook to track it all. I do

know Dr. Ward personally, and I know he perfected the

Roux-en-y in 1977 I believe. He fixed a hernia for my husband that

no

one else would touch. I do not know if the fine Doctor is still with

us but I have tremendous respect for him. The information that

T. gives is very interesting but she does seem to repeat the same

theme over and over again without any new " fodder " . Never having met

any of the parties involved yet I must keep am open mind to protect

myself. I would feel more comfortable if I could see some major or

minor complaints from post-ops. This is just my humble opinion. I

am

disappointed with the speed of answers from the clinic but I can

imagine they are swamped and will become more so as time passes. One

other item-when surgeries are scheduled all day long-does the team

not

get tired, and all that that implys, toward the last one of the day?

Curious to hear from some of you. ette in Indiana

October 3, 2000

a,

I also feel as you do that there must me some sort of down side. At the same

time , I am so desperate to have a life, that I am willing to believe almost

anything. I am somewhat concerned about the MGB WARNING E-Mail I recieved . I

would like to here from folks that are 2 or more years post-op, or i would

like for Dr. Rutledge to address this issue.( Perhaps he has before, but I am

new here) I would like some feed back . Thanks all ...Kari

October 5, 2000

Flo,

I didn't mean to sound as though i was looking for trouble, I'm not I think

more than anything I was scared by the MGB warning letter. I have the manual

and have actually met with someone who has had the surgery. She is a

wonderful example of how sucessful this surgery actually is. I hope to be

among the lucky post-op's in late march or early april. I certainly did not

mean to upset anyone and am sorry if i have, but that warning letter was

really scary.

My Best to All

Peace

Kari

October 5, 2000

There are downsides to this and any other surgery. This is major abdominal

surgery and there are great risks. They are listed on the web site. Dr. Rutledge

not only reveals the risks, he makes us learn them and repeat them back to him

in our package to assure him that we understand that there are benefits but

there are risks and side affects too.

It's hard to expect people to post negative things on this website because so

many of us don't feel negative..we feel only positive. There are 800 people on

this site, some pre-op and some post-op. You will read negatives...not a lot of

them because there is not a lot of downside to the surgery. If there was, we

wouldn't hide it.

I experience only one downside. That is that I have to go to the bathroom more

now that I did before surgery. In contrast, my sleep apnea is gone, I've lost

67 pounds, my high blood pressure is gone, I no longer take arthritis

medication, my acid reflux is gone. My life has changed drastically...so for

all of this change...I find it hard to complain that I need to go potty a few

times a day. Another downside? We have to take Citrucel and vitamins the rest

of our lives.

Occassionally folks post that are a long time post op. But for the most part,

they read now and then or just move on with their lives. You will find some of

their addresses on the clos.net site...but I don't specifically know who they

are.

Dr. R addresses all of the issues related to the surgery on his site. The best

way to do this is to download the manual and read it and to do a search about

topics you are concerned about using the search engine on the site. Then email

lots and lots of folks. You'll find folks who have had complications and those

who had none.

Best wishes. This surgery is a blessing for many of us.

Flo in land

> ** Original Subject: RE: Thanks and an observation

> **

> ** Original Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 19:23:30 -0600

> ** Original Message follows...

>

> a,

> I also feel as you do that there must me some sort of down side. At the same

> time , I am so desperate to have a life, that I am willing to believe almost

> anything. I am somewhat concerned about the MGB WARNING E-Mail I recieved . I

> would like to here from folks that are 2 or more years post-op, or i would

> like for Dr. Rutledge to address this issue.( Perhaps he has before, but I am

> new here) I would like some feed back . Thanks all ...Kari

>

October 6, 2000

Dear Kari: I know the warning letter was scarey. It was meant to scare you and

I'm really sorry that that has happened to you and to so many of you who see

this as ray of light. There are many new people coming on to this board right

now and they are hopeful and then they receive this letter. I'm not going to

even go into rhyme or reason for you getting this letter. It is just so

frustrating to some of us who are doing so well and have been down the road of

morbid obesity to see this done. This takes away hope from people. And we know

there is hope...we've experienced the hope, the dream and now the reality that

this surgery can bring. And because we don't want to offend, or because we don't

want to unduly influence, we sit here utterly frustrated that people are being

victimized like this by essentially one person.

My intent is not to get you to have the surgery. That's a hugely personal

decision. My intent is to let you know that we are here, that we will support

you, we will answer questions honestly and in an above board way, so that you

can make a decision that you are comfortable with. We have no vested interest in

this procedure or in this site.

All pre-ops come with hope. All post-ops are people who were morbidly obese who

have had hope restored for them. We hang out here on this list for the sole

purpose of sharing our experience. I strongly believe that I have a moral

obligation to others who suffered as I did (and I really believe suffered is not

an exaggeration) with obesity. In my case for 50 years..since I was 7 years old.

My best wishes for you in your quest for a solution to our common problem.

Welcome. We're glad you're here and we'll be happy to answer any questions for

you that we can. If you have specific medical questions, please write to Dr.

Rutledge at DrR@... and if you have questions about the effect of the

surgery on anyone, feel free to email anyone who posts here or anyone who's

email address is listed on the clos.net site. Again, welcome. We're here for

the sole purpose of helping others.

Flo in land

> ** Original Subject: RE: Thanks and an observation

> **

> ** Original Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2000 03:36:07 -0600

> ** Original Message follows...

>

> Flo,

> I didn't mean to sound as though i was looking for trouble, I'm not I think

> more than anything I was scared by the MGB warning letter. I have the manual

> and have actually met with someone who has had the surgery. She is a

> wonderful example of how sucessful this surgery actually is. I hope to be

> among the lucky post-op's in late march or early april. I certainly did not

> mean to upset anyone and am sorry if i have, but that warning letter was

> really scary.

> My Best to All

> Peace

> Kari

>

October 6, 2000