http://www.bariatricwi.com/support_group_meeting.asp

Hi  -- 

I will be moving to the Cedarburg area of Wisconsin in mid/late February and *know* I am going to need to quickly establish a support system up there to keep myself sane and successful on my WLS journey.

Who are the best hospitals/doctors for finding support groups in that area?  I don't mind if I have to drive in to Milwaukee, but would prefer something more north if it exists.

Are there other WLS support groups that exist in the area?


Thanks so much ....

Hi JWJ! I too am considering Bariatric Surgery via MBS and have started working with Elaine regarding the pre-approval process with my INS company.  My primary physician speaks very highly of MBS.  After reading your story....yikes, I don't know what to think.  What a horrible experience you had. But, I cant help but wonder if every hospital would have similar stories from patients.  My wife had a screwed up surgery at UW Hospital a few years back....had to beg another surgeon to fix the mistake made and even then, the 2nd surgeon was hesitant since it would cause bad feelings with his colleague. Can you give me any advice on what questions I should be asking?? I am concerned that should I have any problems or complications....in an emergency situation will anyone know how to help me....my wife had her gallbladder removed this summer.....3 days later terrible pain, the ER told her she had alot of gas and needed to let out a big "fart'....well it turned out that she was leaking bile into her abdomen and it was potentially life threatening.  I think....I have complications....what on earth will they diagnose me with.  I'm still in the beginning phases....have lots of questions....and want to make sure I am asking the right questions! So any advice would be appreciated! 

Regrettably, I think you are making your decision based on the fact that it is the closest clinic to you.  That's human nature - it's the easiest, it's the closest, how can I get from point A to point B in the most efficient manner.  I was you about 5 1/2 years ago, so I know exactly what you're going through. But if I could turn back time let me tell you that I would do it all differently.  I began my "trip from hell" with Kevin Wasco of Midwest Bariatric Solutions in 2004 and although I have  been under his care since 2007 my nightmare has not yet ended.  After he failed at my initial surgery, and that finally came to light in 2006 he continued to deny, deflect questions from both me and my husband; he failed to diagnose, treat and intervene surgically in an area of medicine he claims he is a "specialist".  Self-proclaimed or not, the man is clearly the most incompetent physician I have ever come in contact with (and believe me, as a result of Kevin Wasco, I have had to be in contact with many physicians).  There are physicians that read my office notes from him and literally just laugh at how ignorant he is and how he has no qualms whatsoever about writing his ignorant remarks in a patients permanent record.  If you think Theda Clark or his partner, Raymond Georgen, are going to come to your rescue, think again!  Raymond Georgen was made aware of this entire situation an more than one occasion and he has yet to even acknowledge our frustration with his practice.  We have gone to Quality Management at Theda Clark, VP of Medical Affairs, and yes, even the CEO, Dean Gruner, who have all made a choice to turn their heads the other way while Kevin Wasco continues to masquerade around that hospital as a surgeon.  Unfortunate, yes.  SHAMEFUL, ABSOLUTELY!  We have never asked for monetary compensation.  We have asked only for the opportunity to sit across the table from Kevin Wasco and let him know of the devastation he has caused not only an individual, but an entire family.  In an e-mail to my husband from Dr Robin Wilson, VP of Medical Affairs at ThedaCare in February of 2009 he acknowledges our request as very reasonable under the cir****tances and goes on to state that he has spoken with Kevin Wasco and "he (Kevin Wasco) feels he has devoted enough time to this patient".  Dr Wilson goes on to state "I was hoping that intelligence would prevail - it has not".  As of today's date I am still suffering the damage(s) caused by Kevin Wasco.  Ironically, Kevin Wasco and I will share something in common for the rest of our lives - it is called damage control.  From a physical perspective I will practice damage control for the remainder of my life.  However, for the remainder of my life I will do everything in my power to make sure that Kevin Wasco never causes the same devastation that he has caused for me and my family.  Think long and hard about your decision.  Easy is always not the best way.  You live within miles of where I live - is Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee really that much further when you're talking about your life?  Why would you settle for anything less than the best just because it's the "closest'?  I did and I will live to regret it everyday.  I regret it everytime I throw up after eating a small meal which is about 7-10 times per week.  I regret it every time I have a pancreatic attack which is several times a month and about one of the most painful attacks one will ever experience.  I regret it every time I have to sit in outpatient or a hospital ER because I unknowingly became dehydrated or became too low on potassium.  The list goes on and on and it always will.  Contact me in private and I will arrange a time for us to meet and you can read my records.  Read what other physicians have openly written about this physician.  If the records I have in my possession don't change your mind, nothing will.  Whatever choice you make, best of luck to you.  Do not be turned off by bariatric surgery because of this, just make educated choices.  I guarantee you that for every Kevin Wasco, who evidently became a physician for any reason OTHER than to help others, there are thousands who became physicians because they do care and they do want to help others.  The Kevin Wasco's, thankfully, are few and far between in the medical industry.    

Want to start exercising?  Start the New Year right with a 2 mile fun walk (also a timed 5K) at the Milwaukee County Zoo.  For a $17 registration fee they give you a long sleeve t shirt, parking and admission to the zoo as well as a great party! 

http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/events/samson.php