for

[Guest guest]

> I sent this Email to , asking her if she would look over my

> patient letter - and let me know what she thought. After reading

this

> post, I'm very interested in any comments you may have. I don't

know

> the whole story behind what happened to/with , but it's sad

that

> someone who was such a strong advocate has gone the other way - but

> I'm sure she has her reasons. Thanks.

>

> Waunakee, WI

>

>

>

Hi, :

I would like to suggest that you continue your research on the MGB,

and weight loss surgery in general. Don't stop until you've gotten as

comfortable as possible with all the information you've collected.

For me, the right decision about this surgery came when I felt that I

knew the worst that could happen after surgery, the percentage of

times the surgery had failed to succeed, and what my own personal

odds of succeeding at weight loss were without having the surgery. I

also factored in my family's genetic predisposition to morbid

obesity, and my father's early death due to complications from

obesity.

I got my answers from several sources: medical professionals, other

people who had had the surgery, several Internet sources, including

Dr. Rutledge's website, and my gut.

I didn't get anything approaching all positive answers regarding any

form of weight loss surgery, but I rested with the majority of the

information I collected. I searched for about two hours daily for

four months, looking for my answers.

I wish you the best in your search, and hope that the right decision -

the one that feels right to YOU - will come soon.

Good luck!

Blair

MGB 8/9/00