Surgical Associates, S.C. Bariatric Center

Took a lot of time with me!! Great 1st impression. He seemed to sometimes be a bit busy to review the file before I went in as time went in, so I'd have to remind him how far I was along in the process. NEVER too busy to spend time with me however...the most important of all!!
The person who helped with the insurance, Theresa, was wonderful. What an asset.
Their over-all program is very compreshensive, adn they've modified it to incorporate exer/physical therapy now as a required piece.
After-care....don't know yet? I do know I will see the dietician and the exer/phys ther staff for sure.
Risks were explained and resource/written material was great.
I can't comment yet on the surgical part....w/ an over-all rating. Very please to date though.

My first impression was awesume. I was very nervous and he was very relaxing and professional. Lisa was also very good. She confident and funny.

I feel alot of trust with Dr. Weiland. I am confidant I have the right surgeon.

The office staff was so happy, cheerful, and helpful.

I have nothing bad to say about Dr Weiland and his staff.

I was reminded several times about the commitment and all the work I will have to do. This is just a tool for me to use to build a whole new life. He does have a Pre OP and Post OP plan.

Well informed about the risks.

I give him a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10. The same for Lisa.

I will have more when I see him again, but for now I am very satisfied and very confident that this is the one for me.

My first impression of Dr. Weiland was some one who really has a heart for helping people who have struggled their whole life with weight loss. He is very straight forward and tells you right up front that the surgery is "not a magic wand" and that you will "still have to do the work," but that is part of why he is a good surgeon. He is very open and honest about the procedure and will answer any questions you have. Very open about past problems people have had and how to avoid them. Definitely a very competent surgeon. However, I feel his bedside manner could use a little warmth. But I am definitely glad that my heart doctor referred me to Dr. Weiland.

My first impression was that he was very knowledgable and compassionate. My impression never changed. He is still the same. Because I am a nurse, I think he is more open with me on a technical level. His office staff is wonderful. They always have encouraging things to say everytime I see them. There was nothing that I didn't like about him. Any future patients should know that Dr. Weiland may look young, but he has done alot of these surgeries, and is very experienced. For my aftercare, I saw him at 3 months, 6 months, and I will see him at 9 months, and 1 year, then every year following that. Regarding the risks of the surgery, he told my that the biggest risk was leakage and infection. The day following my surgery I had a swallow study done to check for leaks. He was very thorough with telling me any and all complications that could possibly happen. I would rate him a 10 out of a 10. His surgical competence is great, but sometimes it feels as though he is in a rush and doesn't spend as much time with the patients as he probably could.

My first impression of Dr. Weiland was he is a caring man and knows his field well, and I have found out in time my impression was right on. I find his staff to also be very caring and knowlegdable about there paitence and there feild. Dr. Weiland was very right to the point explaining this is only a TOOL to weight loss that alot of work comes after the surgery, and I liked that about him. I picked Dr. Weiland because of having previous surgery with someonoe else in his office and I felt comfortable with there expertees. I would recommend him to anyone thinking of having the surgery. I dont have any negative things to say except he is a typical doctor never on time. (that is a joke..first day i met him he was running late at the dentist; but it showed me he is human also.)

Hmmm.. when I first went in I was nervous and also working full-time while attending college full-time. So needless to say, I was very emotional and over-tired. I actually met with Dr. Johnson? an associate of Dr. Brebrick, and he went through all kinds of information that I don't remember. (oops) All of the staff were regular doctor office staff, polite & friendly. When Brebrick came in, he also went through many things and asked me tons of questions. At one point he and I both kind of had a moment of differing personality conflict and he commented that if I felt uncomfortable, that I could see another doctor. I had been over weight for so long that I had these walls and defensive protectors... So many personal questions... He was creeping over walls & through the defenses; I was feeling very vaunerable. It was awful, I started to cry and told him he shouldn't do this if he didn't have empathy for fat people!!! I was so silly, he was doing his job & I was being a baby. He told me he loves what he does and that he couldn't be happier with the changes people have in their lives. I apologized and we chatted a bit more until we both felt ok about the whole thing. I don't think that I completely understood what I was undertaking, EVEN THOUGH I had so much information. It's crazy, you can be so prepared and never get close to what this is really like. Anyway, he was very complete in his info, almost like he wants you to be painfully aware of any risks; that way you are sure of your decision. He is adamant about aftercare & the dietician, also he tells you upfront that you will need to see him at least once a year, after year 1 or 2's visits are done; it depends on your progress. I had my second meeting a few months later and he went over everything again... I had surgery on Feb 2, 2004. Now, I have nothing but respect for Dr. Brebrick; when I was in the hospital, he came in every day and I would just smile. He was such a comfort in those days; I was so out of it and so unsure of everything. I would recommend anyone to him, but also remind anyone that has battled with their weight that the doctor is there to HELP you. Things may be hard now, but they will get better; & I am only one month out... Anything worth having is uncomfortable at some point; but is very worth it, if YOU think it is worth having.

Extremely kind,understanding & thoughtful wasn't shy about saying what needed to be said.The staff didnot seem really freindly
or very helpful-I'm sure they get alot of calls but I'm sure they here alot of stories and get burned out from listening-but for me its the answer to alot prayers.

Don't be worried,he is very compassionate man and tool alot of time to explain exactly what was going to happen and that there are alot of people in my situation.
He was extremely confidinte,which really put me at ease.

Opinion on Dr Steve Weiland:
I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Weiland. He has a very very good bedside manner. He is straight forward about what to expect and outcomes. I have had friends have him for their R-N-Y surgery and have nothing but good things to say. I think he is a great asset to our area and hope that he is here to stay!!! Any questions email me at [email protected]
Have a good day, RD

I loved Dr. Brebrick. He has a great sense of humor and he understands the pain of being fat, even though he is a tiny little guy! He has great skill and compassion. He is non-judgemental. I would recommend him highly, even over the other surgeons in Wausau that do the same operation. I would trust him to do the surgery on my daughter, which we have talked about.

He is wonderful. A very caring and understanding person. He did not pass judgement on me whatsoever and that was my greatest fear. He is right in the ring fighting for me. Anytime I call he calls me back with in that day or has his nurse call. He is very supportative. The staff and him sent me right to the nutrionlist who specializes in this and she also was just great. He makes it no secret that this is hard and that he has had 2 patients that had the bypass surgery reveresed. He tells you the bad things and the good things. He addressed all the risks and I would rate him as a 10 out of 10. He makes it very clear that this isnt the cure all just a jump start. He is very blunt and to the point and to some people this may be a turn off but for me it is a wake up call. There will be tons of aftercare and the majority of the success is up to me!
**********************I had my surgery 3-27-03 and it was not by Dr Brebrick. He was there for me so much when I had issues with my insurance that denied me twice and I had a hearing/arbitrations with them. However, when it came down to it and I finally did get insurance to cover this I was bumped out of the scheduling. This was a huge disappointment to me. HUGE!! So, I found a different doctor in Stevens Point with the Rice Medical Clinic. Dr. Christopher Neilsen. Him and his assitant Parker made everything happen and the only thing I can say i would recomend them highly. I was his 9th patient he has done this on, and I would do it all over again.