Robert Marema Bariatric Surgeon

I was sure Dr. Marema was the surgeon for me when he showed us his before and after photo's--As he said he's not 'just the owner', he's a member! He had the surgery himself years ago, the same Dr. that did Roseanne in California. I like that he understands the issues, and has traveled the road himself. He has done over 1,400 procedures, and his complication rate is lower than the national average. He and his staff have a very involved pre-and post surgery care program. Most of his staff has had the surgery, and he addressed the risks very honestly, including the complications and the patients that he lost, and why.

I first saw Dr Marema at an informational meeting. He was very knowledgable and one thing that impressed me, was that he had had this surgery himself!

The staff at Dr Marema's office is very professional and thorough. Many of the people who work there have had the surgery, so they were very positive and encouraging.

Dr. Marema and his staff are efficient and well trained. I like the fact that Dr. M is also a patient of gastric bypass and knows exactly what you are going through.

I was very impressed with his presentation at the information session. He presented wls objectively, telling of the benefits as well as the risks, not minimizing one for the other. He and his wife and most of his staff have already had the surgery, so they can identify with us and understand why we may call everyday with questions. He has become very popular since I decided that he\'d be my surgeon and his office is suffering as a result. Even though I sometimes feel like I\'m not getting the support from them that I need, I believe Karen K and Cary are very dependable and are on my side. I guess it\'s just that they may be overwhelmed by all the patients they are working for. This is just my opinion based on my own experience, others may have differing experiences and therefore, impressions.

UPDATE: 08/07/01
Went to my pre-op visit with Dr Marema today. Wonderful person, very warm and confident about what he\'s doing, which in turn made me feel like I\'m in good hands. Not that I doubted it for a minute, after I\'d done my research and made up my mind that he\'s the one for me. It took me six months from the beginning of the process with him to finally meet him, but I can say it was worth the wait. I wasn\'t with him for long which is something I was expecting, but I\'m satisfied he knows what he\'s about and that\'s what matters. Oh, and after seeing the crowd in the waiting room I can better understand what they must be going through \"behind the scene\".

I went to the required seminar in September 2001. My nursing assessment was postponed as I was taking a 2 week vacation to England, so I didn't get in until mid October. I have been to the psychiatrist, pulmonary, cardio, etc, etc, etc. Everytime I called Dr. Marema's office, they said my file was "in transcription"....well, I am not in the medical field, but I know enough that it does not take 3 weeks to transcribe a file. Finally someone admitted it had gotten lost in the shuffle and I made them promise to make it their first priority.
Cary called me about 3 weeks later at work and I said " I hope you have good news for me!" Of course he didn't. Aetna had declined me b/c Marema or any of his staff are not "in the HMO network " doctors. A lot of phone calls later, finally found an HMO approved doctor, so I have an appt. on Jan 2nd with Dr. Liem and jan 3rd with Dr. Trivedi to get a feel for both of them and decide which one is the best fit for me.
Thanks to all of the comments I have read about on this website, I think I am even more informed. Thanks everyone.

I WAS EXTREMELY IMPRESSED WITH DR MAREMA AND HIS STAFF AND I LIKED THE FACT THAT HE AND HIS WIFE AND MANY STAFF MEMBERS HAD THE SURGERY.I HAVE ONLY GROWN MORE FOND OF HIM SINCE I FIRST MET HIM IN MAY 2001 WHEN I STARTED THIS PROCESS.THE STAFF ARE VERY COURTEOUS AND HELPFUL AND PLEASANT.PRE OP CARE AS WELL AS POST OP CARE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO HIM. HE HAS A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES. THEY EDUCATE YOU IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE SURGERY POST OP NUTRITION SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL.A WIDE VARIETY OF EXAMS BY OTHER SPECIALISTS ARE REQUIRED DEPENDING ON YOUR SITUATION. ALL RISKS OF THE SURGERY ARE DISCUSSED WITH YOU. YOU ARE ALSO GIVEN A WRITTEN TEST TO INSURE YOU UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING FULLY.HE IS A GREAT DR AND PERSON AND I THANK G-D I FOUND HIM.

My initial doc was Dr. Norman Samuels the insurance denied coverage thru him because he was not in my network. The staff seamed nice until I was denied then they didn't care. The receptionist at Dr. Marema office was very nice. She was even a patient. I think I will like this doc. Dr Marema office and staff has really got everything in hand. This is the most structured and well informed experience I have been thru.

Well I have only met Dr.Marema at his seminars that he gives every month and it was not a one on one meeting. He seems like a very knowlegable man. Everyone there speaks very highly of him and his staff. He has a very large office staff and he runs a very large practice. He does not see patients one on one unless you call and request for a consultation. He runs a terrific program and really stress after care and support groups. The seminars and staff are really informative because you get to meet people who have already been through the process and can help you and share info. I did however find it very difficult to get a person on the phone at his office and then to return calls when I leave messages. His practice is so large that I really feel it lacks that one on one doctor patient relationship that may really make you fell more comfortable about the procedure and going through the whole process, but my research tells me that he is one of the best surgeons in my area and that is what's most important.

My first impression of Dr. Marema was how he was very knowledgable about this surgery. Then come to find out it is because both he and his wife have had the surgery.
I think once you actually get someone one the phone at his office they are very nice but waiting for a call back takes along time, I think maybe they have to many patients and ought to slow it down a bit.
Anyway know I am just waiting for insurance approval hopefully that won't take to long because this waiting is driving me crazy.
I wish the process went faster but then on the other hand I am glad it takes awhile it gives you time to be sure this is really what you want.

Dr. Marema is very knowledgable about this surgery. He and his wife both have had this surgery. His office staff is helpfull and supportive.His after care program and educational classes are unique, informative, and there is a life long support group and food for thought program. I am so happy I found this surgen on the internet. Judging by the size of his information sessions and nursing intake groups there are a lot of people that are glad they found him also.