Center for Laparoscopic Surgery Bariatric Center

I have to admit I was a little scared since I found Dr Rutledge on the internet, and you never know how things can turn out. But I traveled to NC for my surgery, blind as to the personality of my surgeon, trusting my instincts. When I met him one on one for the first time, I knew I made the right choice. He didnt rush me, he answer all my questions, and my moms questions without making us feel stupid, and he answered them in terms my mom could understand. His office staff has since changed since my surgery, but they were all very helpful and sincere. Dr Rutledge made sure you are aware of the risks of weight loss surgery, and how its not a simple solution. Its a life changing operation, that needs commitment on the patients side. FOR LIFE! I am three yrs out now, and Im sure if I called him today, he would be very glad to hear from me. He makes you feel like you are his only patient, and that you are special. He treats you like a person, not a fat slob who is too lazy to go on a diet. (which we all know thee are some docs out there who do that) I would go and have him do this surgery again...I have no regrets and not one doubt that he was the right surgeon for me. I wish that there was an easier way for people to afford this MGB over other weight loss surgery and the drawback to Dr Rutledge right now is the insurance, and he is private pay first. I wish the govt would see the need to help people get this surgery for better quality of life.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF DR. RUTLEDGE WAS 'HOLLYWOOD'. HE WAS SO POLISHED FOR SO EARLY IN THE MORNING. HE WAS ALL SPIT AND SHINE. MY IMPRESSION OF HIM DID NOT CHANGE OVER TIME. HE WILL ALWAYS BE 'DOC HOLLYWOOD' TO ME. HIS STAFF IS COMPRISED OF VERY DEDICATED, HARD WORKING AND KIND PEOPLE, MOST OF WHOM HAVE HAD THIS SURGERY THEMSELVES! THEY WALK THE WALK AND TALK THE TALK. DR. RUTLEDGE'S LEAST LIKEABLE TRAIT IS TO MAKE TOO LIGHT OF A SERIOUS SITUATION. I THINK FUTURE PATIENTS SHOULD KNOW THAT HE HAS REALLY REVOLUTIONIZED THE BARIATRIC SURGERY FIELD AND FOR THAT HE SHOULD BE DULY NOTED. THE EMPHASIS ON AFTERCARE IS EXTREME, BUT IN A GOOD WAY. DR. CHERY AND THE REST OF HIS STAFF ARE VERY STERN WHEN IT COMES TO AFTERCARE. THEY KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS AND THEY KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS AS WELL. THE AFTERCARE PROGRAM IS VERY STRUCTURED. THEY ADDRESSS THE RISKS OF SURGERY BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE SURGERY IS DONE. I WOULD RATE DR. RUTLEDGE OVERALL AS A 9.9 OUT OF 10. IN THIS ARENA OF THE SURGICAL RELM, BOTH SURGICAL COMPETENCE AND BEDSIDE MANNER ARE OF EXTREME IMPORTANCE!!! THIS IS THE MOST EMOTIONAL SURGERY THAT THERE IS. IT IS A FORM OF PLASTIC SURGERY IN A WAY. IT CHANGES YOU FROM THE INSIDE OUT!

My first impression of Dr. Rutledge was that he was definitely the funny, caring man that everyone told me about. I met him for the first time the day of surgery, because I live out of town, and I felt so comfortable with him doing the surgery. He is such a wonderful man and surgeon. His office staff is amazing, they really take the time to get to know you personally, even though they are really busy, and I like that a lot of his staff have had the surgery themselves. The only thing I did not like to much was that I did not get to spend much time with Dr. R. but that was my fault. because he was willing to talk to each one of us if we wanted to, I just did not have any questions, because he already answered them. Future patients should know that Dr. Rutledge is a very good surgeon, and if you decide to choose him, you should kow you have made the right decision. He will not let you down. Dr R has an extensive aftercare program that everyone must agree to follow, or you cannot have the surgery. And he makes you write a paper on a variety of topics which include all the risks of this surgery. I am very pleased that I traveled from Michigan to North Carolina to have Dr. Rutledge be my surgeon.

I met Dr. Rutledge at a seminar in Greensboro, NC. I had been dealing with several of the ladies in his office and was fortunate to meet them as well.

I was incredibly impressed by this team. Dr. Rutledge is charming and made me feel very comfortable. Each of the ladies were quick to smile and offer assistance. We were also able to meet a couple of surgeons Dr. R is training and some hospital staff.

He is very thorough when explaining the procedure. It is important to him that you understand everything that will happen before, during and after. Dr. R does NOT do surgery on just anyone. You must meet his criteria for candidacy, and be willing to put a lot of effort into learning about the procedure.

The only thing I did not like in the seminar was that it seemed a little like a sales pitch. Maybe this is because most of the people present had never heard of MGB, and I'd already done tons of research, so it felt repetitive.

I'm hoping that I will have surgery with Dr. Rutledge within the next few weeks.

Exellent impression - a pleasant, kind, empathetic individual who treats you well, seems to care about you, and is GOOD, GOOD, GOOD at his work. His office staff is caring and competent. Elizabeth is wonderful as well as beautiful. If you did not know she was a former patient, you would never believe it. (My husband is still in shock.)There was nothing I did not like, either personally or professionally. He strongly emphasizes aftercare. With CLOS, of which Dr Hargroder is part, all patients who come can tell him the risks of surgery, although he went over it and asked me what I understood and knew. I would give him 98 on a scale of 1-100, with 100 being the highest. I would give him 100, but nobody is perfect. Both are great, a rare and wonderful combination. It is still hard to believe that he rearranged my entire GI tract. Now, this was written by a woman who has worked her entire life with doctors, and generally regards them as a subspecies of human (ask anyone who knows me). If you had told me in May that I would feel this way about a doctor, I would have laughed in your face. I feel a little silly, but that's the way it is. I have been euphoric since surgery.

Dr Rutlge"s web site has more info re wls
then I have anywhere else. He was a trauma
Surgeon prior to developing the MGB. He has done 2000 over past 5 years.

I was very impressed with Dr. Rutledge and his operation.

He and his associates treated me and my wife with respect, integrity, intelligence and care.

I would strongly recommend him.

After many go-arounds with my previous surgeons office, and my continued failing health issues, I have decided to Cash Pay. I have Chosen Dr. Rutledge in NC for the short operative time and recovery period. I am looking forward to better health! I have been impressed so far with Dr. R and his staff some of whom I met at a Las Vegas seminar last December.
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Dr Estakhri was my previous surgeon. I am sure she is a fine surgeon, but I think they need to rethink their process for sending patients for approval to the insurance. That is the very last thing they do, they get your hopes up, you get excited about your new life, and then *BAM* Denied. Oh well...
My husband & I met with Dr. Eskahri 12/18. I was very impressed with her and her team. It was clear that they were running late because I was not seen until about 1 hour past my appointment time, and we were interrupted a few times by some urget pages the doc received, which did not bother me at all. If I were in need of her right away, I would hope she would interrupt a consultation for me too! When she did meet with us, she took all the time we needed to answer our questions and explain the surgery and the risks involved. Their program consists of many things other than just surgery, there is a staff dietician, therapist, and nurse coordinator. After you have met with each of them, they meet as a team once a month to determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery. This is the only downside, it will still be mid January before I know if I am approved by thier team. Then they give you pre-op requirements, such as lose some weight and THEN once you meet those reqirements, they will submit to insurance for approval. That is my biggest worry, my insurance seems to like to make people appeal a few times. After I met with the surgeon and the nurse coordinator, I spent some time talking to the office manager about my insurance. She was encouraging and said they havent had too many problems with Aetna.

He is a kind and caring man and my impression of him never changed over time. His office staff is friendly and helpful.
I dont think there was anything I didnt like about him.
His website provides a large manual that you can download and it is loaded with helpful information for pre op and post op.
He definatley discussed the risks of surgery and I would rate him awesome in the overall character.
He is a very skilled surgeon with a great personality.

Wonderful Surgeon, Wonderful surgery!