Robert Rutledge Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

First impression: Cocky, and rightly so!
Later impression: He hung the moon for me!
Office staff: Top notch!
Liked least: Nothing!
Future patients should know that this is the BEST program in the world, bar none!
Aftercare: Extraordinary followup -- that's why this program is so exceptional!
CLOS has a VERY structured aftercare program.
I was fully informed on all risks of this program/surgery.
I would rate this program and surgeon as TOP NOTCH!
Dr. Rutledge excels at surgical competence and has a good bedside manner. I chose him for his surgical competence. Dr. Rutledge and his staff have excelled in all aspects of my care. I have nothing negative to report.

Melissa D.

The best Dr. ever!!!!! More to come later!!!

Lianne S.

Dr Rutledge is VERY enthusiastic about his laporascopic MGB procedure. He has moved to Los Vegas but Dr. Dasher is continuing the CLOS procedure in Statesville NC.

Dr. Rutledge is an excellent surgeon and is very through and professional in his selection procedure. He requires a great deal of eduction, research and commitment to life style changes from all patients in order to screen out potential problems - his patent manual is 100 pages! He limits the MGB to 350 pound individuals so his post-op complications and recovery are amazingly short and pain free. I believe he cares about each and every patient and genuinely wants to help us. I would rate him excellent on both surgical competence and bedside manner. He was a professor and is very knowledgeable but approachable and chatty, and has a well developed web site.

He will answer most questions one has but has not the data on long term bile reflux problems other surgeons want to refute their concerns about the modified Billroth 2 technique he uses that I requested. Unfortunately his MGB procedure is not accepted by most of the Bariatric community and he has had bad publicity and a law suit regarding bile reflux and the MGB. (which I understand He won)

On the otherhand most of his patients adore him and the operation to the point where he has almost a cult-like following. I interviewed over 50 past MGB patients and did not discover the bile reflux problems detractors claimed. However if one is unlucky to get a bad case of reflux it will probably need revision. Mind you the operation is only about 7 years out so long term data is unavailable. I do not have bile reflux problems at 4 months post op and have lost 50 pounds with minimal problems.

Aftercare is a structured program that PCP's are to follow. I am involved in an active local MGB support group. The patient manual goes into great detail about the risks of surgery and I have never seen a more through patient sign-off procedure. pre-op one reads, initials, summarrizes and signs off on numerous risk catagories.

His office staff (CLOS staff) are very, very through, most have had the procedure themselves and are willing to answer any questions. The CLOS system is a franchise type of operation where Dr. R has trained other surgeons by supervising 100 operations and taking on the more difficult cases himself.

I guess the thing I liked least was his inability to tell me what the longer term (more than the 30 day stats) on serius bile reflux problems, and his strong Marketing approach. I would like to see more about long term diet follow up but realize that each patient is very individualistic in food tolerances.

I and the 5 close friends who have had the MGB are amazed at the efficacy of the MGB procedure and highly recommend it - in spite of the bad rep about bile reflux.

I decided I would take my chances with the MGB and bile reflux over the Roux en Y and Dumping Syndrome, and at this point I am very happy I did.

shoutjoy

Dr. Rutledge is the most unique surgeon I have ever met. He may be a bit pricey but he makes SURE you know what you are getting into BEFORE surgery. You have to follow this 12 item check list before you are even considered. You will have a patient manual that explains the surgery, the other types of surgery, statistics of weight loss progression, pre and post op directions. Almost everything you will ever want to know. Once you submit this packet, you are evaluated and approved or not approved. Once you have approval, you have your surgery. You will be totally aware of what will happen to you and know most of the adversities or common side affects BEFORE you enter the hospital. He is extremely skilled in his job and bar any complications, your surgery is within about 30 minutes. You are home the next day. Recover, for most, is very fast. One thing he stresses in this packet is that you definitely have family support and a local doctor's support before he will accept you. He wants you to depend alot on your family doctor for your aftercare and wants you to keep in touch. He has follow up forms plus he wishes to see you if possible a few times that first year. He has two email groups in which you get alot of support from your fellow postops as well as help those preops who desire the surgery. His website is http://clos.net.

The negatives.. well, he isn't perfect. He cannot guarantee everyone will have rapid and total weight loss. He is not God and doesn't know our bodies and how they will react. Too many people expect this of him and he cannot offer this assurance. He cannot offer 100% no side affects. He does not take insurance! He may in the future. HOWEVER, this does NOT mean you can't get insurance approval and be reimbursed!

I WOULD DO THIS A ZILLION TIMES AGAIN AND AGAIN!!! IT'S WORTH ALL THE NEGATIVES!!

cmuckey

The first time I met Dr. Rutledge was at an informational meeting for the Mini-Gastric Bypass. He was very knowledgable, personalble and had a great sense of humor. My impression of him only improved over time. He has an amazing bedside maner and really cares for his patients. The only complaint I have is that he always seemed a bit rushed. His office staff is the best. They are all former patients of his and know first hand what you are going through. Dr. Rutledge is a stickler for follow-up and makes you sign a legal document stating that you agree to follow-up with him yearly for the rest of your life. He insists that you contact him daily for the first week after your surgery and he is the only Dr. I have ever seen that hands out his cell phone number. The risks of surgery are very well documented and you have to go over them all and summarize them in your own words. People who have surgery with Dr. Rutledge return and bring their loved ones to have the surgery. I don't think there is a better compliment than that. I will always be grateful to Dr. Rutledge.

Patricia H.

Please contact me via private email for details on Dr Rutledge and his staff. "[email protected]"

peter T.

Dr.Rutledge was a very good and thorough physician.He exolained all the pros and cons every step of the way. He made the procedure go very easily and smoothly.

I would do this again in a New York minute.

His staff was great and very informative and helpful.

There is nothing I could think of.

That this is the best form of weight loss surgery,The Mini Gastric Bypass.

He tells you what you should eat and not eat and what to drink and not drink,to protect your new stomach.

Yes,He has a printed booklet that explains everything you should do and expect.

Explains the worst that could happen.

Both were very good.

Okey you want negative the procedure brings terrible gas. The smell is horrible to everyone else thats all I can think of.

Veronica G.

Dr. Rutledge is patient and will spend as
much time with you as you want. If you have a million questions, he will answer them. He is kind, caring,knowledgeable, professional, well mannered, to met him is to love him. Along with the professionalism I have the highest regard for him. The entire CLOS staff is no other like I have met before. They truly
care about people. They treat each person special and will go beyond, I mean beyond, the call of duty. He requires that each of his patients thoroughly educate themselves, not only about the surgery itself but all of the changes and requirements that your body will go through and need. He teaches how to take care of your new body. He stresses all of the risks involved with the surgery in detail. Dr. Rutledge and his staff are always available, 24/7. Other then Dr. Rutledge and his staff I dont know anyone else who publicly posts their phone numbers for their patients to call if you need them. You can see for yourself at www.clos.net. Not only I, but all of his patients thank God for Dr. Rutledge and the lives he has saved!

Mikayla A.

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My
personal site: <a
href="http://www.simplewls.com/">http://www.simplewls.com</a><o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>

What was your first impression of
him/her?<o:p></o:p>

My
first impression of Dr. Rutledge was from this site. Thanks to obesityhelp.com, I learned about Dr. R and the
mini-gastric bypass. The patients spoke
highly of him and the results spoke for the procedure itself. Although I found some surgeons criticize Dr.
R for his pioneering approach (a modified Billroth 2), it was easy to see that
they had not done their homework. Some
of the surgeons complaining haven’t done even half the number of surgeries of
Dr. R. He’s done the MGB on over 1000
patients. That’s an impressive track
record and his complication rates are public and they are better than the
complication of rates of the very surgeons that were criticizing. I joined his email support group and learned
more and more about him. When we met
face to face on 10-24-00, the day before my surgery, he was FANTASTIC! While his sense humor is quick witted, he is
a true sweetheart. Before my journey to
Durham, NC, I emailed him about four times and he answered each email within
four hours, some were answered within the hour. He’s amazing. To learn
more, check out my site: <a
href="http://www.simplewls.com/ContactQuestions.htm">http://www.simplewls.com/ContactQuestions.htm</a><o:p></o:p>

 
How did your impression change over time?<o:p></o:p>

At
the writing of this post, I am about six weeks post-op and I have even greater
respect for Dr. Rutledge. He is a class
act and my personal hero! 
 
How would you describe his/her office staff?<o:p></o:p>

Barb and Diane were the primary two
that I dealt with and they were great.
Diane (the nurse) had her surgery with Dr. R on 11-14-00. She did great. Barb is going to have her MGB in 2001. 
 
What did you like least about
him/her?<o:p></o:p>

Nothing. He’s a class act and just a wonderful person. As a nurse, I don’t come to these
conclusions easily. I’ve met a bunch of
physicians that I don’t respect. 
 
What should future patients know
about him/her?<o:p></o:p>

Dr. Rutledge is a qualified
surgeon. He’s professional, knowledgeable
and he has a heart for those suffering with morbid obesity. He has experience
doing both Roux-en-Y and the MGB (which he pioneered). He does the MGB laproscopically exclusively
now. 
 
How much does he/she emphasize
aftercare?<o:p></o:p>

After your surgery, Dr. R will email you and have you
submit your post-op status. Dr. R
requires each patient to do an exhaustive packet and your primary care
physician must be willing to do your follow up according to Dr. R’s rules and
he even requires them to put that in writing prior to your surgery. Without this letter from your PCP, you will
not be approved for surgery. 
 
Does
he/she have a structured aftercare program?

See the above comment. 
 
How did he/she address the risks of
surgery?<o:p></o:p>

Just check out his site <a
href="http://www.clos.net/">www.clos.net</a>.
 You won’t find a more thorough
bariatric surgeon. The consent form
prior to surgery lists every conceivable complication. He won’t stand for his patients to be uninformed. You are going in with both eyes wide open. 
 
How would you rate him/her overall?<o:p></o:p>

On a scale of 1-10, he gets an 11
from me! 
 
Which is better, surgical competence,
bedside manner, or both great?<o:p></o:p>

He gets the highest ratings from
me. His surgical competence and beside
manner are stellar!<o:p></o:p>

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exp1orer

11/28/02 I have not only met this wonderful man and his staff, I have already had the surgery, and could not be more pleased. Dr. Rutledge was very kind, compasionate, and understanding. He wants us to stay in contact with him after surgery. He is very adimant about patient follow up care.

Overall rating of 1-10, he is an 15!!!!

Begining Research - I have not met with Dr. Rutledge as of yet, but from the conversations I have had with post-op patinets of his, he is kind, caring, and very adamant about patient education. His staff have been very helpful and are very willing to answer any questions. I can't wait to set a date!!!!

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Robert Rutledge

Robert Rutledge Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

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Robert Rutledge Bariatric Surgeon M.D.