Newbie, surgery sched for 11/9 - Dr Overcash

Just wanted to drop a line and see if there are some people here that have had the gastric bypass (excuse my lack of proper abbreviation) performed by Dr Overcash from Ocala, FL? I'm scheduled for 11/9/05 and know of a few people that have had it done (around the country) and have talked with all that I knew personally to try and gain more knowledge. To me it seemed quite simple, went in, talked it over, insurance is covering it and been keeping up with my regular doctor to get my blood pressure more in line (lower), other than that they gave me a short list of things to do before hand (no special diet?) and said to attend there nutritional class before hand (mandatory). I'm currently 29yrs old, 6'2", 370lbs and don't have the control necessary to lose it on my own.

Welcome to the board, feel free to post all you like! There are other patients of Dr. Overcash here, so hopefully you will hear from them. Jan

Hi David, Dr. O did my surgery on 8/3 and he was in and out in 20 minutes. I had no complications. I don't remember much about Wed. once I was taken into OR, but my sister said they had me up in a chair Wed around 4 or 5 p.m. I had dry heaves for the local anathesia, I guess. Thursday I was up early about 7 a.m. Walked around the nurses station about 4 times that day. The nasal gastric tube is bothersome but not painful. Dr. O didn't use any drains for me and my incesion healed very nicely. I have a 4 1/2" scar that looks a little like a zipper just below the breast line. I do not have any emotional problems with it as it is very small. It is still red, but I know it will fade in time. The swallow test on Friday was not as bad to me as I have read by others who post. The hardest part is that you have to stand for it and being in pain, it makes you want to double over a little bit. The staff is very patient at Monroe Regional during the test and I did great. The best feeling was getting the tube out when I returned to the room. My first meal was some ice chips which felt wonderful since you aren't allowed anything until after the swallow test. Make sure you take Lip Balm (Chapstik) with you for your dry lips the first 2 days. You'll need it. Dr. O is a great surgeon but he is not very personable. I had a problem with his treatment of me at my last appointment and let the office know that I didn't appreciate his treatment of me. Hopefully, we will straighten it out at my next visit. I say this to let you know that he is very abrute and rude at times and you need to stand up for yourself or you'll get angry and hurt. I let them know that his treatment of me in that respect will not happen again or I'll go elsewhere. Would I have him do this surgery again? YES. Will I allow his rude treatment to me again? NO!! Best of luck on your journey. There is a Yahoo group forum that is for Dr O's patient's. Ruth Santos...prior posts...metion the webaddress in it. They also have several support groups that meet one in Ocala, one in Orlando and one in Jacksonville. I haven't attended one yet due to the price of gas, but the yahoo group is very informative and would love to have you join them. Sorry I don't have the address, just look at the past posts here on the Florida boards for Ruth Santos and you'll find it there. Blessings, Lori Weight: 293/263/140 BMI 51.4/50.2/?

I had Dr. O do my surgery 14 months ago, I have lost 170 pounds and I am 20 pounds below the goal he set me for me. He released me last week which was bittersweet...I am going to miss having visits with him and talking with him, but I am glad I am moving on my own now. This is the best decision I have ever made in my life...I feel great and look good too. You will get your special diet at the nutritional class before your surgery. Remember follow what the nutritionist says...protein in first and get your water in and you will do great I am sure of it. There is a meet and greet at the Altamonte Mall in the foodcourt on Oct 29th not sure on time and also there is a Orlando meeting 2 times per month in Orlando on east 50 at the Library. The library meetings are open to anyone but we are mainly Dr. O patients, the mall we get a mix of doctors. Tracey 327/157