More Dr. Wasco and less Dr. Georgian?

Dear Midwest Bariatric Patients,
Since being on this site I have noticed that Dr. Wasco from Neenah is listed most as the doctor doing the procedures and not Dr. Georgian. Is it just a coincidence or doesn't Dr. G do as many as Dr. W? I am waiting for my insurance approval so have not gotten the final steps to surgery. What is your opinion of how everything went in Neenah? I read one post that was scathing and some that are very satisfied? I sure have been happy with the psychologist that did my evaluation and very happy with the guy running my Bariatric Life Skills group. They both seem top notch and very supportive. They seem genuinely normal. What is your opinion of the other nurses and staff that took care of you during your WLS? Thanks for your imput.
Jane

Dr. Wasco did my surgery but Dr.' G assisted they always do them together from what I am told. Liked Chris who did the life skills class. Did not like the Psych he said I was in CRISIS he has no idea what crisis is until he raises 2 kids by himself that is crisis my life is a lark now. I really like all the staff Dr's nurse starts with a W can be a bit of a snot at times but the others are just wonderful.

I had a revision from an old stomach stapling and when they got inside it was a mess both DR's said they learned something from me.

I had an open RNY and they had to remove part of my stomach but I have had no complications and never regret it for a moment.

When from taking 11 pills and not being able to walk from my front door to the side walk. To 1 pill (bladder control) and walking to work and the Y with my walker.
Only about 6 blocks but still progress is progress.

It took me 60 years to get to where I was before surgery and it has only taken me 4months to get where I am now.

Dear Ikagram,

Thanks for the insight to the Bariatric Center's way things are. It is nice to hear from someone who has been with the same people.

It sounds like you are a trouper in your life as you raise two kids alone. Raising kids with 2 parents isn't a picnic, let alone by yourself.

I am struggling with losing weight even with the dietician. I guess it is no big surprise since I couldn't do it before either. I am worried that I will be one of the ones denied surgery because I couldn't get my liver to not be fatty. I am also concerned that the dietician will put me on the no list because I didn't lose weight this month. I don't  know if they do that. I'm sure it isn't new not to be losing weight from her either. Did you have to lose a % of weight before the surgeons did the surgery? Did they put you on a liquid diet before and if so how long?

It sounds like you are a medical marvel. Good going on getting off the meds. I am on 9. Sounds like you are way more mobile. I bet that is really freeing. I can hardly wait to feel more free of my pounds.

Thanks so the inspiration.

Jane2008

Hi There Jane,

Congrats on your up coming surgery!!   I had my surgery 6 months ago and Dr. Wasco was the performing surgeon.  I was knocked out.. so I couldn't tell you if Dr. Georgen was in the operating room or not  but I have also been informed that they both attend the surgeries.

Have no fear, you are in WONDERFUL hands.  Yes.. I heard the same horrible review of Dr. Wasco from a very disgruntled patient.  In fact I know that her posts and emails have been printed and presented to the office in a pending lawsuit against him as her posts and emails are borderline slanderous!  I truly feel bad for what she went through, it does sound like hell, however, as we all know entering into this surgery, there are a LOT of potential complications and not everyone is going to 'breeze' through it.  I wish her well in her continued journey for health and happiness.

As for me, I can not rave about the man enough. The team at Midwest Bariatrics is amazing and they are always there to help you through your struggles, trials, tribulations and happiness. I give them two thumbs up!

Good luck to you! 

Dear Denise, Thank you for your good wishes. I haven't heard from the insurance company yet, but it can't be too long yet. I too am sorry for that lady that had a bad experience. There are always risks involved. I am not interested in slandering anyone, but it is a nice feeling to hear from someone who has been in the same place as I will be. I am glas to know that you thought hightly of them all at the center. Thanks for responding, congratulations on your success at well. I hope you are doing great. Best wishes, Jane

Hi Jane:  If you are concerned that you may end up with Kevin Wasco, your concern is justified.  I had a lap band surgery by him in 2004.  In 2006 it had to be removed by emergency surgery.  After that my health took a steady decline.  While I understand that there are risks with surgery, that was not my complaint.  Kevin Wasco just simply did not want to deal with it, and eventually medically abondonned me.  I cannot give much more information than that at this time.  I can tell you that I have just returned back to Wisconsin following what I hope is my last major surgery to "clean up Wasco's mess".  I have been seeking treatment at one of the largest research hospitals in the country.  The surgeon there has "substaintiated beyond any doubt that the reason for my problems was surgeon error".  I think this facility has much more reputable surgeons than Kevin Wasco, so I don't think he has made this statement without a substantial amount of evidence.  That being said, it wouldn't have upset me if Kevin Wasco had just simply dealt with the problem instead of engaging in the unethical behavior he did once he certainly recognized what the real problem was.  Everyone makes mistakes, and all he had to do was say "I'm Sorry" and that would have been the end of it.  I have not filed a lawsuit against Kevin Wasco.  I am pursuing a diffrent route or routes.  What sense would it make to file a lawsuit?  How is that going to change Kevin Wasco?  The Insurance Company would pay me off or Theda Clark would pay me off and he would go right on practicing in his unethical manner that he has done in the past.  I would rather see this loser have a license suspension, which is about the most I can hope for.  I hope everyone continues to "print these off for the office", and I hope eventually he takes legal action against me for slander?  Slander is only slander if I am passing along erroneous information.  I have affidavits, other physicians medical records, telephone records, etc to back up every accusation I have made about him.  But if he would like to engage in legal action I have only one comment  - BRING IT ON!!!  What you don't know is that Kevin Wasco has been made aware that my only concern is that this never happens to another person.  I would never want another person to suffer like I did at the hands of this incompetent physician.  Theda Clark VP of medical affairs has made him aware of this as my husband and I met with him on 10/23/2008.  I told him I would like to sit across the table from Kevin Wasco and tell him what the last 2 years of my life have been like.  I made it clear that is all I want.  The VP of Medical Affairs said he would pass that information along to Kevin Wasco,, and further stated that he would hope that "intelligence would prevail".  Kevin Wasco has had ample opportunity to make this right if he wanted to.  Evidently he does not want to, therefore I will make it my mission to make sure NO ONE ever suffers like I did at the hands of this individual.  All he ever told me husband and I is that "he stands behind his work and he will take care of things".  He failed to do that.  I don't think we are being unreasonable in our request.  Quality Control and the VP of Medical Affairs at Theda Clark also does not feel we are being unreasonable.  Kevin Wasco should grow a spine and just face this.This is not the first time we have heard the "slander" threat from him.  In a conversation with my husband in August of 2007, he also threatened my husband that if I complained about hin he would sue me for slander.  He followed that up by telling my husband that if I complained about him to the Dept of Licensing and Regulation that "he would fix it so no other physician would ever want to treat me again"  That is actually malice (threat to do harm) because he was fully aware that I would probably die without proper medical care.  My husband and two other individuals that were listening in on that  conversation had prepared affidavits before a Judge in Winnebago County ,Wisconsin ,  We have had to protect our interests somewhat by seeking advise from legal counsel, but we have not filed a lawsuit.  Our legal counsel only wants complete and ACCURATE  information in case something were to happen to me.  They simply felt that if that were ever the case they would wabt to be able file a lawsuit on behalf of my estate which I agreed with because I need to protect my family.  They have already suffered enough - this has been hard not only on me, but on them also.  As I stated previously, I just had a major surgery on 11/24/08, and I am recovering from that right now.  I did not want to complete any of the complaints I made to certain agencies until after this surgery.  Depending on the outcome of this surgery, I will then know if I have sustained PERMANENT damage.  Persons who don't have all the facts, shouldn't be advising you on my previous postings .  If they ever did confront Kevin Wasco about it, I am sure he would lie the same way he lied to me husband and I for amost two years.  He also falsified and ommitted very pertinent information from my medical records.  All of this will be corrected in the near future .  I will not go away, so all of the facts will come out as this unfolds.  Dr Georgen is a class act and as long as you are in his hands you are OK.  I'm not sure why a physician with such a great reputation would want to associate himself with this "incompetent , poor excuse for a physician", but that is Dr Georgen business, not mine!!  Demand that he be your surgeon - you deserve the best!  Why would you ever settle for anything less than the best?  Best of luck to you.  Remember, there are also other clinics in this area!      

I had my lap RNY in  2006 by Dr Georgeon and he was wonderful and his nurse Betsy  is great.  Dr Shultz assisted Dr Georgeon, so Wasco doesnt always, they have 2 or 3 others in there that also assist.  I dont know Dr Wasco, just have seen him in the office and at some support groups, he seems very nice. Ive only seen Dr Georgeon once since my surgery and that was because I had what they call a Seroma, after surgery. Otherwise I always saw Betsy. I havent been there since my 2 year anneversary but will go now in March. I made the big mistake and stopped going to the support group meetings because I moved away, but now am back. I have gained about 20 pounds and really need to get back on track. I believe going to the group meetings and seeing Lori the dietician helps keep you on track. Deb

Dear Deb, Thanks for the reply. I am pretty excited now that I have a date..Jan/6/09. I have my pre-ops this week, so it is finally going to happen. I went to the support meeting last night and am both excited and apprehensive, but I guess everyone feels the same. Thanks again. Jane

Jane its like anything else, some people are happy with their surgeon and the next not. I have all the faith in the world in  the surgeons at Midwest Bariatric. A word of advise is to stick with the program the best you can. When they say theres a "honeymoon period" for weight loss, they are serious. Usually in the first 9 - 12 months you will lose the most weight, after that it slows down and you have to watch everything you eat just like before. I remember right after surgery and going to support groups thinking, what are those people talking about that they can eat like before. I could hardly eat a 1/2 cup of yogurt. But its true, so keep in mind the surgery is a tool and you have  to make it work. I have regained 20 pounds in the last year, and trust me it feels like 50, it happens so fast.  I have to really keep an eye on it, I can gain really fast. All those cravings come back once you put the carbs back into your diet. They are the culprit, so stay away from them as long as you can. Good Luck, you can always count on your OH freinds to help you out, Debra

I just had laproscopic RNY last week (Dec 9th) by Dr Georgen. I'm not sure who assisted him, but I see him again on Monday and will try to remember to ask. Dr Georgen is awesome, and seems to genuinely care for his patients. He just always seems to be in a hurry!!! 

Betsy and the rest of the staff up there are all incredible people!! I wouldnt worry to much about who does your surgery, Midwest Bariatrics is one of the only Centers of Excellence in Wisconsin, and I'm sure they dont give that title out to just any place that does surgery.

Keep your chin up, and just go with the flow. Things will be fine. Just have to remember NO SUGAR!!! I was only in the hospital for two days, and went to a rehab center afterwards (because I'm confined to a wheelchair and cant get up and walk around). They "accidentally" gave me regular Jello...gave me the dumps all day. They gave me boullion instead of broth a couple times too....that didnt sit well.