Wharton Medical Clinic - Disappointed

I have a friend who i sent this link to because she has been before as well. She wanted me to post this for her...


I saw Dr, Wharton at his Hamilton Clinic about 2 years ago. After weighing in and getting measured I waited while he chatted up his buddy, then he examined me , decided I needed 450gms worth of Canesten cream for a non-existent yeast infection around my middle and under my breasts. When I sat to have a conversation about what was expected of me  he yanked the paper out of my hand and berated me for the information I had not yet had a chance to read. He lectured me about my responsibility to attend all lectures even if that meant I had to leave work early to atttend them. He is by far the worst Dr. I have ever encountered in my entrire life. I work in the medical field and I deal with lots of arrogant professionals and he is the absolute worst. I would never, ever recommend his services to anyone.  I left his office crying and confused and then when I called to say I wasn't going to continue,  I received calls for up to 1 month after reminding me of appointments or tests needed to be done. He is a blight on the medical profession but unfortunately ther isn't much we can do because people that have weight issues need help and will take any kind of abuse to get it. Very, very sad.  
Laurie

The exact same thing happened to my husband and i.  We were led to believe that going to the Warton Clinic would put us on the fast track to getting surgery.  Because of constant delays and office mishaps i have been trying to have the surgery done since Nov. 2008.  I have been waiting for a reply form st Jo's since April of 2010.  Needless to say they have no relation and even cautioned against wanting surgery.  At 40yrs old and 440lbs i have already done the research that makes me know this is for me.  How dare they talk to me like a 3 yr old who knows absolutely nothing.  Coming from Niagara it was a colossal waste of time and effort.  I will not be going back.  I agree it was just Weigh****chers with a Doctor

I had discussed the Wharton Clinic with my doctor because when I researched it, I learned that Dr. Wharton had studied with Dr. Arya Sharma at the Hamilton General Hospital before Dr. Sharma moved to Alberta several years ago.  (This was 4 or 5 years ago I believe and Dr. Sharma moved his practice because Ontario wouldn't increase funding for bariatric surgery - alberta gave him what he wanted.  Dr. Sharma is the Scientific Director for the Canadian Obesity Network.  My doctor had referred me to Dr. Sharma just before he moved and so I never saw him.

I figured that since Dr. Wharton had studied with Sharma and worked closely with him, he would be a good resource.

Anyway, by the time I spoke with my doctor about a referral to Wharton, she told me that she does NOT refer patients to him anymore because none of her patients have had good experiences with him or the clinic and there was no chance of WLS through them.

I was referred to the Wharton Clinic 2 years ago. I had asked my family doctor to refer me for WLS and this was the only way he knew how to do it.  I had attended a medically supervised clinic in Kitchener some years earlier and lost 100 pounds. but it cost me a small fortune. I was excited that this clinic was covered by OHIP.. BUT.. like the others have reported. It was just a total waste of time. just rushed through like cattle, no real diet councelling, I did eventually get my referral to St. Joe's Hospital for surgery and was led to believe that this would fast track me .. but I followed the same time lines as everyone else..
At one point Dr. Wharton told me that I had some kind of Heart problem (news to me) When I questioned him some more about it.. he just tried to ignore me. so I challenged him to tell me exactly what cardiac condition I had.. He looked at the file again.. and then said.. it's nothing and told the staff to remove it from my chart!!!
I wouldn't recomment this place to anyone.. Weigh****chers is a much better option.. even if it does cost you a little money. Unlike Wharton, the staff at WW are caring and compasionate .
It's such a great thing to have OHIP finally support a weight loss clinic.. yet as it turns out this place is totally useless.
J

Hi, I know that some time has passed since this post, but I wanted to let you know that you are not alone in how you felt about the clinic.  I'm actually disappointed  that the clinic hasn't changed much since then and they're still getting away with it.  Warning, this is a long message though lol.

In 2009 after gaining a lot of weight and feeling dizzy on & off with a huge appetite, I was diagnosed with poly cystic ovarian syndrome. I had never had an issue beyond getting a little 'chubby' before; up 'til I was 32, my average weight was 130 lbs, but I never got beyond 140 until 2004 (I was 33). I ran 5k fairly consistently since 1999, and worked out at the gym like a mad person since then too, so I didn't understand why all of a sudden I wasn't looking as thin as I should've.  By 2007, I got up to 200 lbs; I hadn't been eating the best since I had returned to school; college '05-06, university '06-'10, and I wasn't really working out, but things still didn't make sense.  I worked out for a couple of months in '07 and tried to work on my eating, but I couldn't seem to control my appetite; I got discouraged and stopped.  When I was diagnosed with PCOS, I was up to 210 lbs.  My doctor said that my choices of treatment were  having my ovaries removed, or going on the pill.  I chose neither as I was still holding on to hope having a child after school, and I was too scared to go on the pill due to my weight and the risk of blood clots. By 2010 I was up to 225 lbs.

In Feb. '11, I felt like I had a fresh start and believed all I had to do was get back into running.  I joined Weigh****chers and a popular running club in March.  Things were going well as I did clinic after clinic; by November I weighed 158 lbs and was training for a half marathon; I could tell that I wouldn't be able to get much smaller than that, but I was okay with that...I was toned for my size and felt attractive and healthy, and was leading an active lifestyle. 

June '12 I began grad school and that's when the trouble began.  I was in a condensed program that required I stay 2 nights, and I was in a relationship, so I had very little time, let alone enough to run; by Feb. '13 I was back up to 205 lbs.  I started with the run club again Jan. '14, and modified my diet several times with only a 5-10 lb loss here and there.  I had a physical in March and my doctor noticed my neck was a bit swollen.  We then talked about what I was going through with being hungry all the time, and no significant weight loss; I still thought if I was running beyond 5k that I would loose weight just like before.  My doc referred my to the Stoney Creek Wharton location; I was so excited to have the medical aspect of my weight addressed as she said there were specialists there. Just before going to the initial appointment, a person in the 5k clinic said that she had PCOS and that she had been referred to Wharton but hated the way she was treated.  Overall she said that it seemed like a money grab with soooo many short non-productive appointments; she never saw the same doctors nor bariatric educators.  Then there were the attitudes; staff treated her like she was fat and lazy.  Whenever she asked for support they got irritated and rude...it seemed like they just wanted her in and out.  Because I've been an active person who's never really eaten junk food, I thought she ran into problems as she didn't want to 'do the work.'  Well, no it is the clinic.  It's all about calorie counting which has been proven to not be realistic for people.  I was frustrated that they said not to eat more than 2 pieces of fruit a day.  I waited long periods when there to be seen, and there was very little 'alone' time with any staff.  I also had lots of very short and non-productive appointments.  I already know how to diet and I'm not lazy!!!!  I'm running 10k now!!!! I was there because I have a medical issue!  The bariatric educator (who's way too young to be doing that job in my opinion!  No older than 25, and skinny as a rail...she's young, I weighed 125 lbs at that age like most  people do) that I saw was nasty and unprofessional.  She didn't spend much time looking at my food diary and became sarcastic and passive aggressive when I asked questions.  For example, I told her that oatmeal doesn't fill me up, in fact it makes me hungry just like all cereal products do.  I was told that was impossible in a snarky tone as oatmeal has a high satiation rate.  I said in theory that is true, but that doesn't mean it works for everyone, it all depends on metabolism...plus why would I lie???  All I wanted her to do was act professional and recommend other options.  By the way, after 2 appointments, all I had was general food outline for mornings.  They didn't tell me I had to make an additional appointment for the other meals.  Why couldn't this have been done at the first appointment...can you say money grab lol.  I had one medical test done, I think they're a different clinic, and everyone there was professional and helpful.

Making appointments was hell as they were only open a couple days a week.  The receptionist was rude and got irritated if you couldn't make the daytime appointments she offered.  I stopped going after my 3rd or 4th appointment because I wasn't going to drive almost an hour for a waste of time; I told the Hamilton office about the issues I was having and was treated with respect; she offered for me to come there and I said it was too far.  Then she told me a clinic in my city was opening within a month.  I called around then to rebook and was told the clinic wasn't open yet and she wasn't sure when it would be. I haven't heard from anyone, and the office isn't located on their web page.  I'm going to call again to see what's going on. 

I'm still going to give them a try as there are medical specialists there and I'm up to 220 lbs, running 10k...I'm always hungry and feel sick if I don't eat...I don't seem to get full so I know there's something wrong.  I will not have anything to do with the Stoney Creek location as the way I was treated was unacceptable!

Myself and 3 of my friends joined the WMC and we love their service.  We all lost up to 30 lbs. in about 3 or 4 months with no surgery.  Great staff at the one downtown Hamilton.  I have heard nothing but good stuff until I came to this website.   Please give them a chance.  Loved all 4 doctors I have seen there,

Hi Jackie,

I know how you feel, my first appointment I left feeling like just another number passed through their system.  But after my second appointment a left feeling a lot more at ease and comfortable with the program.  I think it was due to the fact that I didn't just let them do the measurements and tests and walk out of the room.  I asked them the same questions you are asking in regards to the 6 week gap between appointments, and although everyone's needs are different they explained that there are support groups in place if you require help there is also a reason for the way the program is set up (just talk to them and don't give up without the answers and information).

The self monitoring systems they recommend for calorie intake calculation (I found myfitnesspal the best) combined with exercise monitoring really lets you be accountable for your own progression/regression. 

It may just be me but seeing a different doctor every time doesn't really bother me at all as long as they have my information.  and the information on the meal plans was a lot more in depth than 5 minutes.  I thought I knew how to do it too but obviously I didn't if I am still needing assistance with my weight management.

This is not just another diet program like the others I have tried and failed with, it is a program to help you deal with, monitor and change your eating patterns and work towards a healthier life.  It won't happen overnight but it is a gradual shift.  I didn't lose any weight the first 2 months, but my energy and health improved a lot.

please don't give up Jackie, I have had success with this program as well as others in my family.  talk to the staff about support groups and use the programs they offer.

Good Luck :)

I had the same idea about five years ago when I went to the clinic in Hamilton. No support given. You are on your own to follow the diet. All the clinic staff are interested in is filling out paperwork & getting their job done quickly without any emotional support to the individual. I felt like I was pushed through like cattle. Just a number. I for one will not be part of this scam.

Hi all,  I just got a call today from this clinic.  My doc put in a referral for me to the OBN.  This was the first call I got.  I called them back and left a msg.  

 

I looked at at their site.  Are they connected to the OBN?  I'm not looking for weight management, I need the bariatric surgery.  All these comments aren't making me feel good about them.  

 

Will i I need to get a new referral?

Hi all, I just got a call today from this clinic. My doc put in a referral for me to the OBN. This was the first call I got. I called them back and left a msg.

 

I looked at at their site. Are they connected to the OBN? I'm not looking for weight management, I need the bariatric surgery. All these comments aren't making me feel good about them.

 

Will I need to get a new referral?