Robert Rutledge Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

8/18/00 I haven't met the dr yet, but he has a very informational website (clos.net). I've done a lot of research on WLS and decided on Dr. Rutledge because he does the mini-gastric bypass which has a short hospital stay (1-2 days) and short recovery/return to work. I received a very quick response to my inquiry via E-mail and received a letter within 2 days to mail to my insurer.

8/18/00

I would recommend Dr. Rutledge to anyone who is considering WLS. He has been a wonderful Surgeon and has continued to follow-up with me.

One of the things I liked best about him was his requirement that I study his Patient Manual (available for download on his website http://clos.net) and provide him with my understanding of the surgery, the risks and the benefits.

He is available to his patients via email and also via phone. He also attends informal gatherings of post/pre-op patient when he is in their towns or is available in Durham. He's a very down-to-earth guy and although he can come off a bit brusk at times, he is easy to talk to.
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I haven't actually met Dr. R. yet, but I've spoken with him on the phone (he called to answer a question I'd posted on his Onelist) and I've "spoken" to him via email.

I am very impressed with his pre-op requirements in terms of educating me, the patient.

His website http:/clos.net and his Onelist [email protected] have been invaluable in my research. Incredibly, he reads the email and responds personally as well.

Dr. Rutledge suprised me most by returning my first phone call which was placed to him late on a Sunday evening. My first question??? Why are you actually calling me back at this time on a Sunday evening? After speaking with him I found him to be a compassionate caring man who truly wants to help his patients achieve a healthier and more enjoyable life. He is sincerely concerned with all aspects of our lives both before and after surgery.
He understood that this was a terrifying change for me and was able to put myself, my husband and my mother at ease with my choice. I can't believe I was so fortunate as to find him over the internet!
He makes sure all of his patients are well informed. Frequently we seem to know more about our surgeries than the hospital nurses.
Because he does a laproscopic procedure we all experience minimal levels of post operative pain. He provides a great deal of post operative eating suggestions and his staff is the best.
His bedside manner is very soothing and a real comfort. On a scale of one to ten he is most definately a 10! I recommend him very highly.

My first impression of Dr. Rutledge was at my initial consultation.
He is friendly and very aware of
the problems his obese patients face. He tries hard to put his patients
at ease. Dr. Rutledge shows a video of the Mini Gastric Bypass,
an innovative laparoscopic technique that
he has developed. He is very open and honest
about this procedure. He describes how it is different
from the RNY and why he feels it is better.
He discusses openly the possibility of surgical
risks and complications. Preops are given the opportunity to ask
questions in a group forum. He also sees each person individually to address
any unique or confidential concerns. The results of his post-op patients
are impressive. He has a tremendous satisfaction
rating amongst his patients. Dr. Rutledge requires each patient to sign a letter
committing to ongoing follow-up, careful
monitoring of health, regular exercise, etc. He has
a local support group that meets at Durham Regional
Hospital (Durham, NC) once a month for pre-ops,
post-ops and those considering surgery. He has
performed over 270 laparoscopic gastric bypasses.
Because of the laparoscopic approach,
the majority of his patients stay in the hospital
for only 2 nights. He has a comprehensive website (www.clos.net)
and an online support group ([email protected])

I liked him at forst sight, He didn't treat you like you had no self disciplin because you were fat.

I still like him, he is extremely busy and sometimes it's difficult to reach him.

I don't particularly care for his office staff. They appear to be untrained and sometimes give poor advice.

He is too busy.

Forget Post Op unless you live in Durham NC.

Very Much!

Yes.

Very throughly.

Verry Good.

Both.

I met with Dr. Rutledge on 7/18/00 and he is a very nice and caring person. He answered all of my questions and he did not rush me even though he is a very busy man. He informed me of the risk and how it is important aftercare is. He also showed me a video of the procedure. He has an excellent staff, they are also very busy, but they try to get your approval letter to the insurance co. as quickly as possible. If you have any questions, they are sure to answer you by email or by phone. I have not had surgery yet but I will still give him a 10. His website is www.clos.net!

Went in for my consult on May 11th 2000 with Dr. Afram. He was nice, and informative, but seemed to be in a hurry. I have heard a lot of good things about Dr. Afram especially how he takes his time, it may have just been a bad day. I did call before going, and they forgot to put me in the books, so he had no idea I was coming but said he would see me anyways, this could be why he was rushed. I don't have a bad opinion of him, just think it was bad timing. Still plan on trying to get approved through him, he as a 0 mortality rate, and that to me is more important than his bed side manner. Will keep you updated.
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7-15-00
Decided to switch to Dr. Rutledge. Dr. Afram seems really nice, and I know he is a very skilled surgeon but I wanted lap anyways so I switched. I haven't met Dr. Rutledge yet, just contacted his office and got the ball rolling with him. Will keep everyone updated.
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8/5/00 Dr. Rutledge is a busy surgeon with a
rye sense of humor. He is competent and thoughtful
and rises to a challenge. He is a tad impatient
with questions he has answered over and over
again - but I think he's pretty good at sorting
through a lot of data and responding to what
is most important. His practice is growing
by leaps and bounds and I think he and his
staff are all overwhelmed by the increase in
surgeries and requests for information. His aftercare
program is very structured, though he admits that
he knows a fair number of his patients are
unable to be totally compliant. He keeps
current on research going on in areas that
touch his practice and is constanting refining
his aftercare program. The risks of surgery
are provided and must be parroted back to him
in a patient letter before he will even
consider you for surgery. I think his forte
is surgical competence, but for a surgeon,
his bedside manner is quite acceptable.

Dr. Rutledge is a funny, smart, caring and wonderful man! He knows his patients and actually recognizes them after their huge weight losses. I could not have found a more caring surgeon. He does lap gastric bypass and uses staples for closure of the five small wounds. His average hospital stay is overnight. Wonderful surgery!

I am hoping to have my surgery in late September, 2000. I have spoken with Dr. R through email and have spoken with a ton of his patients. Every one LOVES him. I have to say I have never seen a doctor that was so caring and compassionate about his patients. He also makes sure you are very well educated before he lets you proceed with surgery. I will update as I have my surgery! http://clos.net