I want lapband for these reasons;

1) I want to have the option to adjust my restriction for certain life changes like vacations, traumatic experiences, and pregnancy

2) I am much more comfortable with something that does not alter the shape of much stomach as drastically as bypass

3) I can get bypass if I need to, which I won't, hopefully. It does not work the other way

4) A slower loss means less saggy skin

and so on.

Anyway, I've been researching for months, and looked on Youtube for some surgery videos. I recently found some 'anti lap-band' videos. And discovered they are ALL from the same man, DrRRutledge, or his youtube account says.

It's making me so mad! One obese girl talks about how she was only eating ice cream and chips, and the band failed her. And there was too much maitenence, etc. I got upset and turned my computer off.

Later on that night, I thought about it. There are going to be problems with both systems, when you are being strict, or completely taking advantage of your weight loss surgery and not living healthy at all!

What does everyone think of this guy? His videos? etc. Why is he so so SO against lapband?

It's best to research ALL types of weight loss surgeries, talk to MDs, and make the best choice for YOU.

I saw those video clips too. My thought was that he trying to 'sell' a procedure that he does to others and makes other forms of WLS look inferior to what he's doing. If I remember correctly it was a procedure that he invented.

I would look to see if this guy is an actual dr and just does the bypass and is trying to keep up his business.

This is a personnel choice for everyone that has it done. I had the lap band 11 months ago and have lost 71lbs. Would do it again in a heart beat. If you eat chips and ice cream the band will not work for you. The band is just a tool to help you lose the weight. If you do not want to work to take the weight off and just want the weight to fall off then the bypass is what you want. The band it only works if you are working to lose the weight. You have to watch what you eat and work out. The band in not a magical thing that will make the weight fall off. It still is hard work.

I have researched this, for MONTHS. This is why I am getting lap band. I was wondering what you personally thought of this guy, not the difference in these procedures, which I know very well.

Long2...thanks, I think I saw something about that too. Kinda sad he goes to such extreme measures for that. Kinda like the devil's advocate.

I too saw those vidios from Dr. Rutledge and asked a surgeon about them. He said that Dr. Rutledge is a "fringe doctor" who does this "mini gastric bypass" surgery that isn't even recognized by the American Bariatric Assn. It has all sorts of complications. If you look into the complication rate of the mini gastric bypass compared to the Lap Band complication rate, you'll see that Lap Band is a much, much safer way to go.

My own PCP did not want me to have this surgery. She was very negative about it. Once I made the decision to do this, I swiched over to her Nurse Practitioner, who supports me 200%. I was being weighed-in a few weeks back, and saw the Dr. eyeing me from behind her desk and she did not say ONE word, not even hello. I was prancing around in my new leather jacket on purpose gloating! ( what can I say, I am a little bugger).

You have to do what you think is right for you.

If funny, when I tell my friends, co-workers about some of my PB incidients they say they could NEVER have this done.

It is just a personal choice.

I saw the videos a few months ago. I don't know the guy personally, but I didn't get a good vibe from him. Seems like he is just trying to persuade people to follow HIS WLS procedure.

Didn't he do gastric bypass and mini gastric bypass or was it just the mini GB?

My primary care physician also did not want me to get the lap band as he thought the gastric bypass would work better but to most people it seems to be more of a drastic thing to do to your body and so they opt for the band. It has taken me months to get to work out the kinks in my band as to the right fill for me but once you do most people seem to be happy that they made this choice.

You're always going to have people push their own procedure or product so you have to try to weed through a lot of the pitches to find out what's really going to work for you. Reading the negs as well as the positives can help also. Weigh them both and discuss with your surgeon. Get a second opinion if you can.

One thing I do want to mention to you Beachy, you say you want the band so that you can have it adjusted for vacations. One of the first things my dr said during my initial seminar was that he absolutely would NOT unfill the band for things like that. This is a part of me and a part of my life, it will only be unfilled if medically necessary.

I know every dr is different but I thought I should mention that in case it is part of your decision. You may want to discuss it with your dr.

Do your research and talk with your doctor before making the decision. I decided to go with the lapband because it was less invasive than bypass. BUT..........one thing you have to remember, the band isn't a magic fix or a fast fix. IT IS A TOOL TO WEIGHT LOSS. I was banded 9 months ago and have lost 80 pounds so far. EASY???? No way. It's a lot of work, hard work. If you are not willing to do your part, go bypass.

Both of the certified Bariatric surgeons I have seen made bold statements at their seminars: "Do not use Dr. Rutledge. He is dangerous. He lost his license in So Carolina and in California". They are surprised that he is practicing in Las Vegas. Also, the procedure he uses is about 20 years old and considered very risky. No insurance companies will cover it - his patients are all self-pay. So, be very careful! He practices here in Las Vegas and with another doctor in Florida).

Mary in Las Vegas:shades_smile:

My Dr was band opposed. My PCP refused to ok me for the band. Look at them now....

Both of the certified Bariatric surgeons I have seen made bold statements at their seminars: "Do not use Dr. Rutledge. He is dangerous. He lost his license in So Carolina and in California". They are surprised that he is practicing in Las Vegas. Also, the procedure he uses is about 20 years old and considered very risky. No insurance companies will cover it - his patients are all self-pay. So, be very careful! He practices here in Las Vegas and with another doctor in Florida).

Mary in Las Vegas:shades_smile:

When I started researching on why I might be having problems with my band I came across Dr. R.'s site and it listed hundreds of issues that people had with the band so it made me feel like maybe I screwed up because I got the band. Now I realize he was just trying to sell himself.

I then found this forum and have learned that a lot of it has to do with my restriction and what I'm eating/not eating etc... So I'm happy I got the band because I still think the other is more drastic and scary to me even though my 19 year old is having gastric bypass surgery next month. Of course I worry like hell for her but it's her decision and she's researched it and seems to be happy with her choice and her surgeon. So all we do is support each other.:smile2:

Both of the certified Bariatric surgeons I have seen made bold statements at their seminars: "Do not use Dr. Rutledge. He is dangerous. He lost his license in So Carolina and in California". They are surprised that he is practicing in Las Vegas. Also, the procedure he uses is about 20 years old and considered very risky. No insurance companies will cover it - his patients are all self-pay. So, be very careful! He practices here in Las Vegas and with another doctor in Florida).

Mary in Las Vegas:shades_smile:

Thanks. I'm getting a lot of posts on here that are making me feel like I didn't make myself clear. I am very aware of the necesity for your own willpower with both operations, and I am also set on the Lapband, I'm not getting bypass, I posted this trying to find out about this specific doctor and his youtube videos.

That being said, all the info has been super helpful, thanks for taking the time to read it and post.

I saw the videos a few months ago. I don't know the guy personally, but I didn't get a good vibe from him. Seems like he is just trying to persuade people to follow HIS WLS procedure.

Didn't he do gastric bypass and mini gastric bypass or was it just the mini GB?

I noticed that too! I really did get that vibe, and I feel like he spends a lot of time making these videos for the web to scare people, less banders, more business for him - in his eyes I suppose.

I did notice that if you search Youtube for 'lapband' he has the biggest percentage of videos. Cha! Whatev. Glad I figured out what his deal was.

*still aware the things he talks about are real, but I wanted to know why he was posting negatives on the band specifically.