NANCY!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

Ditto! I have the same opinions on this topic, I just can't express them as

well as did!

Thank you for having the courage and wit to say what many of us are

thinking!

Sincerely,

Beth in Florida

MGB 8/10/00

Down 53 pounds =)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You my dear lady are my HERO!!!!!!! You have such a brilliant mind and

such a way with words. I wish I could have expressed my thoughts as well.

Love,

Genz

valmaboyz@... wrote:

> In a message dated 11/8/00 3:37:33 AM Eastern Standard Time,

> ymrahmes@... writes:

>

> > Please don't crucify me, I'm just trying to figure out what's going on.

> It's

> > my body, my life (God's actually), and I really want to know ALL that I

> can-

> > the good, bad and the ugly as they say.

>

> Yvonne,

> I won't crucify you, because you sound like your questions are honest. Each

> person MUST decide for themselves. I suggest you go to a clinic with Dr. R

> and talk to him personally about each and every one of your concerns.

>

> As for my attitude about the disgruntled former patient....you had to suffer

> through having her on the list BEFORE she was disgruntled to truly

> understand. There are SEVERAL patients who have had problems. No one, least

> of all Dr. R. promised that this surgery was without complications and risks.

> I doubt VERY seriously if she will even HONESTLY tell people how much weight

> she has actually lost at this point. I am sure she thinks it isn't relevant.

> The disgruntled former patient had all the same research available before the

> surgery, studied more than anyone I know, talked to more former patients than

> anyone I know, obviously has an IQ that is off the charts, and CHOSE to have

> the surgery. The research didn't change, but her interpretation of it did.

> Considering her intelligence and her profession I am simply dumbfounded with

> the explanation that she of all people, minimized it.

>

> I personally DOUBT the truth of her own personal medical claims, and

> CERTAINLY doubt that the issues she claims to have were not pre-existing

> conditions if she has them at all. I believe she is one of those people who

> thinks the means justifies the end. Were you around when she had a shrine to

> Dr. R...the web site that touted how wonderful he was?

>

> She had unrealistic expectations about the surgery...wanted to be a

> Barbie.... Most of us are having this surgery...picking what we believe to be

> the BEST surgery and the BEST surgeon.... to save our lives. You are

> right...there are not years of research for a surgery that has only been

> performed for three years. That was not a secret. That was part of my

> decision process...did I want tried and true over new and perhaps better. I

> did not choose to have the surgery when I first learned of it because Dr. R

> had only performed about 80 surgeries at the time. I waited....Others out

> there may be waiting for the years or studies. That is their option. No one

> forced me into this surgery and no one forced anyone else, either. I

> personally chose this surgery on two MAJOR issues. I loved that Dr. R was a

> trauma surgeon. I felt like he was used to going into burning buildings (

> very ill or critical patients) and coming out with a live one! I know that a

> trauma surgeon won't stop because things look bad. I wanted someone with

> that attitude because as an obese person the risks are SO much greater when

> you are put to sleep etc. Also, I wanted the lap form of surgery. I could

> have had a lap rny, but I accept that there are a different set of problems

> with that surgery, not the least of which, is the ability to reverse it and

> scar tissue. The differences in Dr. R's surgery from the " old " surgery make

> sense to me. I DO see it as different surgery, but that is just MY

> opinion....It certainly helped that all the doctors I spoke to about the

> surgery thought it was a great idea too.

>

> Regardless of what the disgruntled former patient says....she wanted to work

> for Dr. R and when he turned her down she turned on him with a vengeance and

> told several people she wanted to ruin him. Her background is enough to make

> anyone question her tactics. If she is unhappy and truly believes what she

> is saying she SHOULD put it out there. She is entitled to her experience and

> her opinion. Pre-ops are entitled to her experience and opinion but not to

> be bullied and assaulted by it. To single out every pre-op and write them

> her story seems more than a little extreme to me. Opps...that word slipped

> out... " extreme " . Most people don't have the time or the inclination to

> invest what she is investing in her mission. One has to wonder why it is so

> important to her. Most of us have other things more important in our lives.

> For me it is hard enough just responding to every person who wants me to be a

> contact, much less going after every person available.

>

> She is skilled at manipulating the truth and attacking. I will probably get

> some threatening letter from her for daring to question her. So what. I have

> never trusted the zealot and if you choose to make your decision based upon

> her research, so be it. That is YOUR right and I support it. I have never

> felt personally compelled to have others make the same decisions I make and

> this is no game for me. What I do take offense at is a person who for

> whatever motive, sets out to ruin the reputation of a good and honest person.

> However, I believe that truth always wins. I have no concerns personally

> about my future health...however, if down the road I DO have problems I will

> not in any way feel they were caused because Dr. R did not tell me everything

> he knew at the time. If I could have solved this problem with weight

> watchers or dieting or some other way, I would have...God knows I tried...but

> I couldn't. I have not been a " fast " loser...so I think I was hopeless

> without the surgery. For me it has been a wonderful decision and I have no

> regrets.

>

> I hope that you find exactly the surgery and surgeon that you are comfortable

> with. If it turns out to be Dr. R great, if it doesn't that is great too.

> Just don't be baffled by the bull shit.... Best of luck to you on your

> journey.

>

> Safe journey,

>

>

> MGB 03 MAY 00

> 03 NOV 00 -75 lbs!

> Safely on the other side!!!!

> Dr. Rutledge clos.net

> Self-funded company plan administered by Interactive Medical

> Denied on appeal as an excluded benefit

> Self Pay

>

>