William Overcash Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Dr. Overcash was and wasn't everything I heard. Yes, his office was packed. He does come get you from the waiting room himself. But NO, he did not seem rushed at all. He is a very personable man. Take the time and talk to him and he will talk to you. I would recommend this main to my own mother (if she needed the surgery, but she doesn't!)
His office staff is good. Patrice told me anytime I needed anything to call and ask for her (this was after I had been given inaccurate information). I bugged them alot, for the most part, they were understanding. I asked Dr. Overcash why he doesn't do some of the things that other surgeons do automatically (take your gallbladder out, give you a drainage tube), he explained if the gallbladder looks o.k. he will leave it in. He also said he takes a chance with the tube thing and he wins 9 out of 10 times. I was very impressed with his honesty. I asked if I could have my gallbladder out, since I had already had problems with it - he said that was fine. Imagine that, a doctor that let's you have input. He also doesn't charge that upfront fee alot of doctors are charging now. This is because, as he explained, he is trying to help you change your life, not make money off of you. He will give you a plan for aftercare and his office staff will help you find trained people to help you with follow up care (i.e. nutritionist etc.).

8.13.02 My first impression was this man is all business and very busy. When talking to him he does seem to give a different outlook. If you have your info ready and questions ready he will answer whatever you need. Patrice is wonderful she is very very busy but she will answer your questions. 9.2.02 well I have a date and the office was wonderful in calling me very quickly they had called in 24 hours with my approval.

I had originally met with a doctor in Tampa, but his waiting list was soooo long that I tried another doctor in Ocala that had been highly recommended by my insurance company. He is Dr. Overcash. He was able to get me in right away for my initial consultation. He called me back and weighed me himself, which was a nice touch. He is a VERY busy man, but seems to stick to your appointment time pretty well. His office was packed with people. His office staff were very friendly and helpful, especially Patrice and Marlene. Patrice was able to get my insurance approval in about an hour. Dr. Overcash is very direct and to the point about the surgery. He seemed to think I was a lightweight, which is funny. I weighed in at 262 lbs. at 5'9" but he said I definately was a good candidate. I don't have any serious health problems now, but that could change if I don't take control of the situation and lose the weight. He was very stern in the fact that you have to do exactly what he says if you want to heal right. He makes you have liquids only for 6 weeks, but that includes jello and pudding and soups. Anything that will go through a strainer. :) He says the best outcomes are those that follow what he says to a "t", so that's what I'll do. He likes to do the Open RNY better than LAP, so I'll go with that. He checks your gallbladder and will take it out if it's full of stones or infected. He does make you have an NG tube in the hospital to drain the gunk from your pouch. That comes out on the 4th day, after the leak test. He has a structured after care program that requires you to see him at 2 wks, 4wks, 6 wks, 8 wks, then monthly until he releases you. He told us that he had never lost any of his patients so that made me feel good. I have a lot of faith in him and have spoken to several people that have used him. He could have a little more bedside manner, but I think he's just so busy, that he doesn't have time to be chatty. I'm more interested in his surgical ability rather than his personality. My surgery is Feb. 4th so I'm getting excited! I will post more after.

really liked him

no

very nice

he was on vacation when it was time for my post op appointment
short and to the point

he could have a better program set up with more information/ resources
yes

yes

10

both are great

Dr. Overcash is great! If you go to see him, be carefull not to get the wrong impression about him. He can appear to be sharp, but he is quite the contrary. He is a very busy man and has a lot of patients to see (at the office and at two different hospitals!). If you have questions, make a list before you get there. He will probably answer most of them before you can ask. If you don't make a list though, he will more than likely be gone before you remember them all. Be confident that you want this surgery. Don't walk in there all wishy-washy. Either you want it or not. If you don't want it, don't waste his time. Do your research! I did and it paid off. He likes it when people take the initiative to do their research ahead of time. It shows him that you are very interested. If you are having a hard time finding good, easy to read info, go to a little site I put together with some questions & answers about weight loss surgery at http://obesityinfo.koolhost.com. It answeres a lot of questions. Check your BMI before even setting an appointment. If it isn't over 40 he will tell you to go gain fifty pounds and come back (he's just kidding, of course). Most, if not all insurances, will not pay for this surgery if your BMI is not above 40 - unless, of course, you have a lot of other Co-Morbids. As long as you follow these simple things, I think you will realize just what a great doctor he is. Also, don't worry about him being in a hurry. If you go in there with 100 questions, he will sit there with you and answere each and every one before you leave. He is quick, but very thorough. He is good at what he does (I think, the best, but that's my opinion). Post-operatively, Dr. Overcash requires his patients to be on a liquid diet for 6 weeks. That is 3 weeks longer than a lot of doctors, but it's because he wants to ensure that your body (inside & out) has a chance to completely heal. You must take a multi-vitamin after your surgery because you won't be getting the same nutrients as before. I found a liquid vitamin which has 100% of all the vitamins and minerals I need without having to swallow a horse pill. This liquid is great! I mix it with my orange juice in the morning and that's it- I drink it down. If you are interested check out this website- http://www.geocities.com/trishmaroney. I'm very excited having had this surgery and especially by Dr. Overcash. If you have any questions e-mail me at cj.maroney@verizon.net. Thanks and Good Luck!

My first impression of Dr. Overcash was quite favorable. He is very professional, and quick. If you have questions you need to have them ready when you go in. He is very thorough and explains things well. I liked him. He emphasized aftercare quite a bit, and said that since I came from so far away there would be no problem seeing my PCP, but that I had to do so. He made sure that I understood the risks of the surgery, emphasizing my age. If I have anything negative to say it is that the visit was so short, but I understand that he is a very busy man.

My first visit to Dr. O was Valentines Day. My cousin came with me for moral support. She liked him so much she had the surgery 2 wks after me. He comes accross very confident and as well he should. He has a great sense of humor and makes you feel very comfortable. I came in with a list of questions a mile long and he answered every last one. In fact, each post-op visit included me asking my new list of questions and him taking the time to answer them all. (Of course he says he won't operate on anymore blondes!) He covers everything in detail and if you have any questions at ANY time his staff is THE BEST!! He has changed my life. I had surgery on March 25, 2002. I was his second patient that day. I am now engaged to his first patient from the same day. We met in the hospital. So I can't express how lucky I feel to have had this surgery, be losing weight, and be marrying the man of my dreams!! If you have any questions about the surgery or his office please feel free to e-mail me!!

My first inpression of Dr Overcash was that he was friendly but honest. He told we what to expect and showed me what he was gonna do. He also told me I have to have a stress test first because under stress my heart was raceing and my blood pressure was up. He told me that even thought I would be in pain the day of the surgery I would have to get out of bed and walk.

What I didn't like was he very busy and it took 3 weeks before my paper work went to the insurance. But then again would you want a doctor that wasn't busy?

My first I was very intimidated by him. THe first question he asked me was if I had kids and who would care for them if I died. Scared the bejebers out of me. I was impressed with how very direct he is. He is insisting on seeing my husband. As we spoke he found out my sister was in the lobby and he went out himself and brought her back and explained the entire process to her. That is the only meeting I have had with him as of yet. I was very inpressed with his staff. They answer all my questions each and every time I call.

8/15/02 - first meeting with Dr. Overcash this afternoon. He was very nice, talked in length about the procedure, answered all my questions. Did tell me that I need to have someone that can raise my child if I die in surgery. (I was warned about that). He did tell me that most people do very well with this surgery, but laid out all the risks. I know that he surgeries are very short like 40 minutes, he is in and out. I like that.