Angie G. S.
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William Overcash
"Dr. Overcash was actually the second surgeon I went to. My first surgeon had problems with what my insurance company was going to pay him, so after he cancelled my surgery due to this conflict I fired him. After thoroughly searching for other surgeons on the internet I choose Overcash for #1 surgeon in Florida and Freeman for #2 surgeon in Alabama. Alma, and Patrice, the front office staff, were extremely helpful and considerate during my many calls to Overcash office prior to my initial consultation. In fact, because I was concerned about having to re-do my pre-op testing, Alma figured out a way to get me in to see Overcash within 1 week of my first call. She was absolutely marvelous! My daughter went with me to my initial consult with Overcash. The visit was very enlightening and painless since I made sure that all my records, including my pre-op tests (x-rays, upper GI, EKG, etc.) arrived the week before I did. Both my daughter and I were very impressed by his attitude, and by his being forthright about what the surgery will do versus what it will not do. He made sure we both understood the risks, and was concerned that my spouse did not attend this session. He said he would not do the surgery until he met my spouse, and said that the morning prior to surgery at the hospital would be fine. He made sure that my family and I understood the risks of surgery, but also understood the small chance of me living much past my 40's in the condition I was in. He told me exactly what he expected me to do the day of surgery, and what he expected me to do during recovery, then the lifestyle changes that I would be responsible for afterwards. He made sure that I understood that much of my recovery and the success of the surgery depended on my ability to do what he said was required. The morning of surgery (Tuesday, November 6, 2001), he came into the pre-op holding area at Ocala Regional Hospital in Ocala, FL, and talked to my husband and myself. Overcash reiterated the risks of staying as I was and not having the surgery, versus the risks of having the surgery, then the life expectancy afterwards. It seemed that all of the nurses in this area were extremely happy and enjoyed doing their jobs, and everyone wanted to be where they were. I remember seeing Overcash a day or two after surgery (I might've seen him before that, but with the drugs I was on, well, I don't seem to remember talking or seeing many friends and family members who dropped by to see me), but I remember seeing and talking to Madeline (his nurse-assistant), and Marchiand (another surgeon in his group, I am not sure how to spell his name) who came in to see me on Overcash's behalf. The nurses on the fourth floor of Ocala Regional Hospital were God-sent! I remember nurses Carol, Diana, and Paula, and Techs SaToya, and Summer especially. These people were assigned to my room, so they get special recognition for being my own cheer-leaders. Although, when I went walking down the halls (I HAD to get rid of that gas!!!) each and every one of the hospital staff who worked on that floor hailed my praises. They told me that no-one they knew of had ever gotten up literally 'running' up and down the halls so soon after surgery. It made me feel really special, and gave me a little extra incentive to keep up the hard work. All I could remember was that I had to get up and walk as soon as they would let me get up after surgery. The one thing I do remember is that the clock in my room seemed to be the slowest clock in FL the day of my surgery! I remember asking my family and the nurses and the technicians a bzillion times when I could get up and start walking. For some reason, my surgery was at ~8:45AM, but they would not let me get up to walk until after 7PM. That first walk was GREAT. I cannot say enough about it. Although it was only back and forth across my room, I was up. YIPPEE! On Friday I had an upper GI - YUCK! That yellow liquid was horrendous. That is the only way I can describe it. When they saw that nothing was leaking, the drain tube was removed from my nose, and every IV except one was removed (it was blocked off, but left in my arm in case they needed to use it). Within 1 hour my first 'meal' arrived. These mini-meals came regular as clock-work from 7A-8P, so I had to make sure to drink as much as I could every 15 minutes to keep from getting dehydrated. Anyway, I was released on Saturday evening, and was glad to get home. I am scheduled to go to Overcash today for my two-week check-up. I know that as of one-week after surgery I had lost 21.5 pounds, since I had an appointment with my hematologist. I was so excited to finally be able to be weighed on a regular scale (it doesn't take much to make me happy). I highly recommend Overcash and his staff. They have been nothing but pleasant and most helpful during this time of my life, and I cannot imagine having had the surgery done by Peter Sarantos, M.D., of the Gainesville Surgical Group/Center for Obesity Surgery. I know that things happen for a reason in life, and I am truly blessed to have been able to choose Overcash. Good luck to all who choose this path in life, I believe this was the best option for me. Blessed Be! Angie"
About Me
Alachua, FL
Location
54.3
BMI
RNY
Surgery
11/06/2001
Surgery Date
Nov 18, 2001
Member Since
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