Dr. Brad Case....anyone have him?

My local dr. is unable to do WLS at the moment which is not at all what he wants but the local hospital is having second thoughts. He has referred me to Dr. Case. I checked out his website at www.bradcasemd.com and pretty impressives credentials. Lived up north and was at Jefferson where all my specialists were until I moved to Florida. My local dr went to observe him doing surgery and was impressed but its over 150 miles (Palm Harbor and Port Richey) from me and not sure I mentally can handle being so far from home for this surgery. It's not the dentist you know but I also know many of you have had to travel as well. Tell me about him if you have been or are his patient, please.

I know of one person who went to Dr. Case and was very pleased with her results, etc. I have heard from a coworker that Dr. Case is not accepting most insurances anymore. So you may want to check that out before you venture a trip up this way. Another surgeon, who I highly recommend ( my surgeon) is Dr. Barry Haicken. He is in Largo. Not quite as far but still a decent trip. I used to live in Ft. Myers so I can totally understand your concern regarding the distance. Dr. Haicken is giving a talk this Saturday at 12noon at Morton Plant Hospital about WLS. Something to think about. Good Luck.

Julie, Thanks for the heads up. His website lists all the insurance but that might need updating. I would have called way beforehand to check anyway as well I would have needed a referral. Wouldn't want to waste another year like this past one. It's exactly one year since I got Benitez's package and I am no where. Will look into Haicken as well but my gut tells me to wait and I my as well just go to Murr if I need to travel at all...this is becoming mentally painful & exhuasting but I am sure everyone knows that already. Thanks for being there.

Ginny, I too had Dr. haicken as my surgeon, as did my wife, and we could not be more pleased. As Julie said, Dr. Haicken is giving a lecture this Saturday at Morton Plant Hosptial at noon. What she didn't mention is that we have a support group meeting before his lecture, from 10:00 till noon. Please come join us, see for yourself, you don't have to make a decision that day. It is always a good idea to check out several different surgeons, and to check out their preop and postop programs. So come visit us this Saturday and check out Dr. Murr also. What ever you decide, good luck, and yell if you need any support.

Thanks Steve. I am back at square one starting all over.

Ginny, I am a patient of Dr. Case and I couldn't be more pleased. I am still pre-op but I find out my surgery date today! Dr. Case is very thorough and his patients have to go through a lot of tests. The office staff is wonderful. They are so friendly, caring and will do everything they can to get you approved. I have Cigna and I was approved within a week. I have complete faith in Dr. Case and would recommend him to anyone. I would definitely drive 150 miles to have Dr. Case as my surgeon. Hope this helps you out. Nancy

Hi Ginny Well let me say that I am a patient of DR Case. I am only 10 days post op and feel GGGGGRRRRREEEEEAAAATTTT!!!!!! I thought that I would feel alot worse. He is real gentle and actually cares about his patients. He does not make you feel like embarrassed to be over weight. He makes you feel like a human being and not an alien LOL. Well my husband and I both are patients of him and we were both pleased when we first met him. My husband will have his surgery on August 9. Needless to say he was amazed at how fast he responded to my pain factor. Also he is very cautious with all his patients. He really is one of the best SURGEONS in America. I THINK. I am very greatful to have fallen at his office that is for sure. Please if you have any questions reguarding him at all please feel free to email me ok. GOOD LUCK to you on your journey to bariatric surgery. Tricia

Hi Ginny. My name is Debbie Schob and I am a patient of Dr. Brad Case. I am almost one year out and have lost 143 lbs. just two lbs to go to goal. Dr. Case is the most professional, understanding and compassionate doctor I have ever met. He never made me feel like I was gross or unfit to talk to. You know how some doctors talk down to you because you're overweight. Believe me, Dr. Case is worth the trip. I was back to work in two weeks after surgery. Dr. Case has always been available when there is a problem (although I had very very few) and he is still interested in his patients, even though I am not obese. My BMI is below 24 for the first time in 29 years and he is still interested in my progress. You can't go wrong. Good luck to you and God bless you in your journey

Wow I am so impressed with all of your replies, thank you all so much and congratulations to you all who have lost already and about to take the plunge to the loosing side. I spent time on the phone with Lisa today and liked her very much. She explained to me about the removable filter which makes this surgery so much safer. Something I didn't know about at all. I faxed what the office needed to check out my insurance. She will never believe my ID card. I was at a high weight for me, of 120 lbs and its on my military ID card with my picture from 2001. I can't imagine how hard or different my life would have been if I had to deal with weight issues more than these past 3 yrs. I have to admit I never thought people who were obese got their without overeating but I am proof it can happen literally overnight and I will never judge anyone again in my life! Just like I always say, tomorrow is another day and if I have to wait a little longer and travel for surgery, it must be in G_d's plan for me. So I am smiling tonight and feel much better now that my migraine has lifted for now anyway. Again thank you my friends.

Hi Ginny, I also had Dr. Case as my surgeon for my WLS. He is absolutely wonderful. Very caring and compassionate to all his patients. His is also a very meticulous Dr. and checks you out completly prior to the surgery and afterwards. He has a great program preop and postop. I am almost 11 months post op and have lost 122 pounds. I feel just absolutely WONDERFUL. It is a whole new way of life. I would highly recommend Dr. Case and would drive the miles to be his patient. JUst to let you know I am also a RN and he impressed me with his care and techniques. The office staff are also a wonderful asset. Hang in there and it will all happen. If you want to talk feel free to email me privately at [email protected]. Good luck and God Bless. Joy