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Dear Gwen,

I have mixed feelings about Dr.R.

I too don't want to cause any major debates/problems on this web

site, but I do think that all pre-ops are entitled to view varying

opinions.

I had my surgery on 27 July 00. See September post #'s 45952 and

45988 as these highlight my postop problems with an infection 4 weeks

after surgery.

I'll classify my thoughts for you in 'meets/exceeds expectations' or

'needs improvement' categories.

Where I think Dr.R met/exceeded expectations:

* Durham Regional ran out of rooms the day I was scheduled for

surgery. He worked to have my procedure performed at - I was

his first patient there.

* Postop, my BP and oxygen saturation were low. The nurses had to

page Dr.R throughout the night. He was very responsive - immediately

available.

* When I was in the ER with a possible diagnosis of pulmonary

embolism, Dr.R worked to convince that hospital that my problem was

probably an infection and he influenced my transfer to Durham

Regional for treatment. Again - his responsiveness when paged was

remarkable. My guess is that my hospitalization would have been

longer - because I believe hospital 1 was planning on first treating

me with blood thinners. I don't want to think what an additional day

or two of an untreated abdominal infection would have led to.

* Dr.R has many years of experience in general, emergency and

bariatric surgery. Great qualifications.

* Dr.R clearly had many previous patients who believe in him and are

openly and willingly supportive. (Hey - you don't often get to hear

from other patients when you're referred to a surgeon.)

* Dr.R refines and improve his pre, during and postop procedures.

(Lots of folks experienced postop nausea - so he's added the patch.)

Where I think Dr.R needs improvement:

* I think I was discharged too early since I hadn't been able to walk

on my own and hadn't urinated. Dr.R did not 'follow' his own

discharge requirements on the web site. (I don't believe this, but a

" devil's advocate " could argue that staying longer would negatively

affect the patient statistics.)

* I think Dr.R should prescribe several days of oral antibiotics to

take post-op. Maybe my problems wouldn't have occurred if he had.

(He is considering this, especially now since so many go home in less

than 24 hours.)

* When I was back at work (after the 2 weeks off), I had a low grade

fever every day and all sorts of tenderness, spasms and pains. First

all over, then more generalized on my L side - diaphragm area. I

both talked to and e-mailed Dr.R about these. I believe that because

I didn't have what he considers to be a fever (i.e., not more than

101.5F), my complaints were really not considered/evaluated (i.e.,

was told - didn't I expect to feel different). I firmly believe that

all of these were early symptoms of the infection that eventually

became full blown. Maybe the infection could have been averted.

* I did not see Dr.R at all the first night I was in the hospital

with the infection. I was very worried about the possible pulmonary

embolism diagnosis from the other hospital, knew I wasn't being

treated for that, and got no answers from the nurses about why. Not

only did I expect to see him, I sort of figured he'd listen to my

lungs, poke at my abdomen...something. I was discharged the next

day, and while Dr.R was good at answering my questions, he never laid

a hand or stethoscope on me. (Actually - he never did any other time

then the actual surgery, i.e., no post-op hands on that I was

conscious of.)

* After 10 days on the 3 antibiotics, I started vomiting. This was

the only time in the 4 weeks since surgery...I was certain it was the

meds. Dr.R hears about nausea/vomiting a fair amount from folks and

prescribes an estrogen patch - as this sometimes helps. He told me

that he doubted it was the meds, but to discontinue them anyhow.

* He also told me I might need a patch. I already had some patches

because he had tried these as a remedy to my other pre-infection

complaints. (Note - it was probably unrealistic for me to think he'd

remember this when he has such a large patient load, but that is that

I was thinking.)

* Dr.R did not order any follow-up of the pleural effusion that was

in my L lung (a result of the nearby inflammation from the

infection). My PCP, because I've kept him in the loop, is doing this

thankfully.

Having said all of the above, let me say that I'm not certain Dr.R's

any different from other surgeons. When I had my gallbladder

surgery, I saw that guy once post-op and then never again. Postop,

they clearly rely on the hospital staff to do their jobs and to

report out to them when they arrive to discuss discharge

possibilities. And rightfully so. If the problems postop are likely

to be long term, they prefer you deal with your PCP. This also makes

sense. When I had problems with choly-diarrhea after my gallbladder

surgery, my PCP addressed it.

So...THE BIG QUESTION...Would I still have the surgery? Yes. I had

this because of the long term health and longevity benefits. I still

believe in these reasons. Already, I'm off my BP and lipid meds. I

sleep and move easier, and I have more energy. There's no doubt that

I wouldn't have had the infection and lung problem if I hadn't had

the surgery, but that's one of the risks! My recovery is longer than

some, shorter than others; them's the facts!

One last note - you can drive yourself crazy regarding information

about obesity, this and other procedures, etc. I confess - I'm

wondering if my continuing discomfort in my L side isn't some weird

side effect one of the 'grumpy' surgeons predicted. I think that one

has to go into this knowingly (which if you're not - you've gotten

someone else to do all your reading/writing for Dr.R). THEN, I think

you have to have trust in your decision and your long term

objectives. I you'd had a heart blockage - would there be any

questions about having an angioplasty or bypass? The effects of

morbid obesity are much more insidious, but just as deadly.

Good luck with your procedure.

Kind regards,

Debbie

> I am leaving Sunday morning for Durham for my " Dance " . My husband

insisted I ask for responses to the things is saying

about Dr. Rutledge. I don't want to get anyhthing else started on

here, so if you have had a problem or have response please email me

personally at pandapal66@i...

> How many of you out there have had a medical problem that Dr.

Rutledge would not take care of and how many of you have not lost any

weight.

> I had 26 contacts for my packet and all 26, who were chosen

randomly, responded with praise and ALL said if they had it to do

again YES they would. WOULD YOU?

> Gwen

> Dancing 9/27

>

> ........................................................

> iWon.com http://www.iwon.com why wouldn't you?

> ........................................................

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Dear Gwen,

I'd be happy to talk with you about the " down " side of the MGB as it

relates to me. Please send me an email and I will respond.

wundedbird @ aol.com (leave out the spaces)

Beth

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Hi Gwen, I to would love to hear any input anyone has. I dont think it

will start anything. Its all about being informed. I wrote to a couple of

people myself including Dr. R. because she was saying some very scarey

things. You take a chance no matter what surgery kind of surgery you have.

You have to decide if that chance is worth it and for most of us we will

say yes. Thats just my two cents worth.

Robin

At 11:21 AM 9/22/00 -0400, you wrote:

>I am leaving Sunday morning for Durham for my " Dance " . My husband insisted

I ask for responses to the things is saying about Dr.

Rutledge. I don't want to get anyhthing else started on here, so if you

have had a problem or have response please email me personally at

pandapal66@...

> How many of you out there have had a medical problem that Dr. Rutledge

would not take care of and how many of you have not lost any weight.

> I had 26 contacts for my packet and all 26, who were chosen randomly,

responded with praise and ALL said if they had it to do again YES they

would. WOULD YOU?

>Gwen

>Dancing 9/27

>

>........................................................

>iWon.com http://www.iwon.com why wouldn't you?

>........................................................

>

>

>

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