"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!!"
