Question for pt's of Dr Aldens Group (Wausau)

Hey Y'all Well, I finally saw my GP last monday and she has referred me to Dr Aldens group. Can anyone who has dealt with them give me some info? My GP has set me up for a sleep study, and the referral to the surgeon was basically the GP's office calling the Surgical group...she said that they would send me a food diary, and then after that (a couple weeks I think) I get set up for an office visit. I was just wondering if anyone could give me some kind of timeline. I mean, I know this takes forever, but wouldn't it have been easier to set up my appointment THEN...because obviously it will be a few weeks before I can get in...I am sure I would have had plenty of time for the food diary in the meantime. So what can I expect? I have psyched myself so that I am not expecting to actually have surgery till summer... Thanks for any help in this matter ~Christy

The reasoning behind the group doing it this way is to make sure you can handle having the surgery and dealing with what it details. So many think its a quick fix to lose weight its not that easy. I have had gastric bypass last year Dec 2003, Dr Weiland (in with Dr Alder) did my surgery, it has been a easy but yet tough journey, the first 100lbs come off easy and it I was lucky I could eat just about anything and not get sick from it....but now I still have over a 100 to lose and its alot tougher and its easy to fall back into the bad food issue, and not eating what you should or getting enough exercise. This is only a TOOL to loosing weight not a solution to a life long problem; they also want to see if you can stick too a proper diet long term (this is important or you have just went though major surgery for nothing). Also the insurances are making it harder and more qualifications for people to have surgery, mostly for all the same reasons. If I could of lost the weight other ways I sure would of done that but it wasnt an option for me I had tried the diet pills the doctor diets and even every off the wall diet I could nothing could give me the loss that I needed. So I hope what I have told you has given you some answers to why this process takes as long as it does. Also Wausua Hosp. has a Group every 3rd Tuesday of the month they meet at the Medilian room ( in the hospital) and all are welcome to join, they actually will be meeting this month Tues. the 22 i believe. Well hope this helps anything further you would like to discuss feel free to ask. Diana 500/350/???

Hi Diana Thanks for the reply! It sounds like you have done great with your weightloss, I totally understand that it is a tough road. Like you, I have done everything to lose weight, and always end up heavier in the end. I've been researching WLS since 2001, but due to insurance and fear, have never made the commitment till now. I'm 35 now though, and after 15 years of failure, I feel I have to make a drastic change. I work at Wausau hospital, so I think I'll go check out the meeting tommorow night. Does it cost anything? Who runs it (ie: where can I get more info about times etc online)? Thanks so much!! ~Christy