Robert Marema Bariatric Surgeon

DrMarema was different HE had this surgery so he knows and can answer these questions. And he lets us know different things that could happen.My husband did not want me to do this, then we went and heard the Doctor talk,know he thinks this is the best thing that has ever happened to me.The least thing I found was not with the doctor or his staff, it was with the other patients. I have a bone disease (AVN)I have had eight surgeries in the last ten years (joint replacements) altho I'm overweight when I go to the group they ask when did you have your surgery? I tell them not yet, but hopefully soon, then I get negative comments.I believe everyone has their own problems, and we should all be happy.We're getting a second chance at really living again!I'll come back after my surgery.

Dr.Marema was a great surgeon very understanding.

I met Dr. Marema at an information/resource meeting in Orlando in January. I was very impressed that not only has he had the surgery himself but quite a few of his staff also. He seem genuinely compassionate and concerned about his patients. My brother-in-laws cousin had a lap band done by him and she sings nothing but prasies. His office staff seems knowledgeable and efficient but call backs sometimes take awhile. Dr. Marema's program is a "whole package" program with many resources to help the patients suceed. He also disclosed that he plans on expanding to Orlando in May which will be much more convienent for me. But if I need to, I will travel the extra 4 hours to have this done by him. He is completely up front about the risks and in making the patient fully aware of the complications that may arise. I'm very confident that I made an informed choice for the best surgeon available.

I was so impressed when I met Dr. Marema because he didn't have that ex-fat person look...it was one of my first exposures to a post-op bariatric bypass patient (Dr.Marema had the surgery, himself) and I didn't realize that patients get down to their REAL goals. Over time I got to see his sense of humor and that because he was once a food addict himself, he knew all of our tricks and had first hand knowledge,to a lot of "what if" questions. His staff is also very educated with both personal experience (many have also had the surgery) as well as from research. What I find most difficult, is that getting directly through to a live person when trying to get all the insurance pre-requirements together, can be frustrating....they always get back to you, but being an "addict", I want it yesterday! Future patients should expect great care but to "take a number"...and be patient! There's a price for superior care, and having patience is it. Aftercare is a high priority and one of the other main reasons I chose Dr. Marema's practice. He holds extensive support meetings and classes. His info sessions lay out very clearly whether or not this surgery is for you and what exactly are your risks.
Bottom line is that if you listen to his education seminar and go to the support group before you make any decisions, you will understand why patients choose Dr. Marema and why you don't really get one-on-one with him until you're insurance is OK'd..He gives you his all, and really connects with his patients and wouldn't be able to find the time for your surgery if he had consultations in any other way.
His bedside manner is A-1 as far as I am concerned...I have only heard wonderful things about his surgical expertise, but I will judge for myself in 5 days!

Dr. Marema has a very structured aftercare program that I have found to be very complete.
His staff is wonderful, very knowledgable and eager to help.
His skills as a surgeon are phenomenal and his bedside manner is also very good.

Haven't met him yet but I hear excellent things - plus he takes my insurance

Dr. Marema is a skilled and empathetic surgeon. I was very impressed with his qualifications, the number of bariatric surgeries he has performed, and his depth of knowledge on the subject of RNY specifically. After meeting him, I felt assured that I had chosen the right surgeon to move forward on this path I had chosen.
Dr. Marema's staff is very hard working and supportive, although they are very overwhelmed by the sheer number of patients they must see on a daily basis. Since my surgery in February 2001, this office has evolved and is now emphasizing aftercare even more dramatically then in the past. I have a vast network of former patients, counselors, psychologists, nurses, nutritionists, nurses and other staff from whom I can gain advice, help and understanding.
I would say this group is one of the best I could have hoped for in going forward with this surgical choice.

www.browardobesitysurgery.com

Dr. Marema was a very nice guy. He talked with me. The questions I had for him were all made very clear to me. I would highly recommended this surgeon and his office staff.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF DR. MAREMA WAS THAT HE WAS A VERY INTELLIGENT, BUT DOWN TO EARTH INDIVIDUAL. HE WAS AT THE INFO SESSION AND WAS NOT SNOTTY AND HE ANSWERED ALL QUESTIONS. MY IMPRESSION CHANGED A LITTLE ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF PATTIENTS HE HANDLES, NOT HIS SKILLS. HE HAS HAD THE SURGERY HIMSELF AND HE HAS A FANTASTIC PRE AND POST OP PROGRAM. HE MAKES SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING YOURSELF INTO AND WHAT YOU WILL HAVE TO DO AFTER THE SURGERY. HIS OFFICE STAFF IS VERY FRIENDLY AND YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT. I LIVE 4 HOURS AWAY AND I SOMETIMES GOT FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I HAD TO FAX THINGS AND WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO CALL ME BACK, BUT IF YOU LIVE IN THE AREA, I DONT THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AS BAD.
THE LEAST THAT I DID NOT LIKE ABOUT DR. MAREMA IS THAT THERE ARE NOT MANY DOCTORS LIKE HIM. HE KNOWS HOW TO DO HIS JOB AND HE IS WONDERFUL AT IT. FUTURE PATIENTS SHOULD EXPECT TO HAVE TO ATTEND A INFO SESSION, AND RESOURCE MEETING (WLS SUPPORT GROUP), ALONG WITH EDUCATION SEMINAR, A WELLNESS MEETING (TO DEAL WITH PAIN), A PULMONOLOGIST, CARDIOLOGIST, PAY A $600 PROGRAM FEE(NOT APPLICABLE TO INSURANCE) THAT IS FOR MORE AFTER CARE THAN PRE-OP, AND BLOODWORK DONE PRIOR TO SURGERY, OOPS, FORGOT THE PSYCH TEST. HIS AFTER CARE CONSISTS OF 2 WEEKS, 3 MONTHS, AND THEN 6 MONTHS, AND 1 YEAR. BUT PATIENTS CAN ATTEND HIS FOOD FOR THOUGHT PROGRAM WHICH HAS SEMINARS AND PROGRAMS FOR ALL SORTS OF POST-OP QUESTIONS. DR. MAREMAS SURGICAL COMPETENCE IS MOST DEFINITE QUALITY. HE IS NOT GOOD AT BEDSIDE MANNER ONLY BECASUE HE HAS SO MANY PATIENTS.

From what I saw, he seems very intelligent, funny, he definately understands what we are going through due to the fact that he and his wife has had WLS. I felt a little more relaxed as I sat and listened to everything. I am very pleased about his support system, very important to me. I will update more about him if he becomes my surgeon.