Ms. T's Web Site

[Guest guest]

Hi,

You may have seen 's new web site at

http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/

It contains some very " strong " content.

I thought you might be interested in my response to the comments made

on the web site.

From top to bottom…

According to the site:

** " In the four months since the surgery, I've only lost 33 pounds,

but my beautiful, long thick hair is now balding on top, and I'm pale

and tired all the time. I have a stricture at the end of my

esophagus caused by scarring and displacement of the stomach after

surgery that makes food back up in my throat and makes me vomit. "

RR Strictures can happen after all types of weight loss surgery.

It seems that if eating is a problem, would that not lead to excess

rather than inadequate weight loss?

===============================

The site then continues with 5 main points:

** #1 – " Rutledge claims he is not doing the " Old Loop Bypass. "

He

claims he is doing the " Billroth II " bypass. "

RR This is the concern that has been expressed before and

addressed as the fact that thousands of Billroth II type surgical

procedures are done yearly. And the Mini-Gastric Bypass is different

than the " old loop " .

** #2 -- ... claims over and over that other surgeons falsely accuse

him of doing the " old loop bypass " (they don't).

RR Seems like the same issue.

#3 -- ... claims the procedure he is doing, the Billroth II, " does

not cause cancer. "

RR There are some studies that show an effect of the surgery but

others do not. Many general surgeons do the BII type surgery. If

there is any risk the risk is less than eating a diet of highly

processed meat (i.e. baloney and beef jerky) and the risk of cancer

in the stomach is much more affected by a diet of fresh fruit and

vegetables.

#4 -- Rutledge proclaims that the Billroth II is safe because he " has

no patients with these conditions. "

RR I am not aware of any patient with esophagitis. We have a

3% incidence of ulcers/gastritis and thus always warn about the use

of aspirin like drugs. We have lots Preop patients with esophagitis

(~60%) and afterwards we have a very high cure/resolution rate.

#5 -- ... the Billroth II is " used in Cancer Treatment, " thereby

suggesting it is a perfectly safe and acceptable procedure for

obesity surgery.

RR It is.

The page is a little harsh and I am trying to address that.

The issues themselves are the same ones we talk about all the time.

I would ask that all of us try to be kind and sensitive in the midst

of a very difficult time.

Thanks.

RR