Robert Marema Bariatric Surgeon

5/26/01 About two weeks ago, I had my pre-op appointment and found him along with his staff so wonderful! I know that I am in the best hands possible with Dr. Marema. His staff is so busy but I feel the genuine-ness of the smiles and support from them.
Also, yesterday the psychologist that did my evaluation called and scheduled a pre-op visit at the hospital on the morning of the surgery! They will help with relaxation! Wow, I am impressed!

8/7/00 Tonight I had the first meeting with him, but not one on one. He comes across as everyone else has described (funny, informative, compassionate).

FIRST OF ALL, I DO GIVE THANKS FOR MY PCP, FOR BEING INFORMED AND SUPPORTIVE DURING MY WLS PURSUIT, DR. N. THOMAS-HUNTER, "THANKS"!

Because of Dr. Marema's/Associates' expertise, knowledge, and efforts to familiarize "the patient" with literally every aspect of the RNY, AND their use of Holy Cross Hospital's state of the art "Bariatric" facility & staff, AND MY co-morbidities, AND my extroardinary health hx., Dr. Marema/Associates is MY "Dream Team" for the OPEN RNY procedure!!!!!!!!!!!!

Debra, nurse educator, is well informed, articulate, and leaves no stone not turned over in the "Education Session". I thought i was informed, but there was so much more, and the "Information Packet" (Blue Folder) has info that's significant and ONLY Debra can point out!

"Thank you" DORIS is all I can say about Doris today!

Negatively, During the "info session" I felt like i was being gathered in a herd of cattle, AND HOW COULD I GET THE MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED IN A MEDICAL PRACTICE WITH SO MANY PROSPECTIVE PATIENTS?, but after the "Education Session" & the PERSONALIZED" experience with Debra, R.N., I NOW REALIZE THAT THIS STAFF'S EXPERIENCE, EXPERTISE, SUPPORT, patience, & KNOWLEDGE WILL ONLY MAKE MY WEIGHT REDUCTION EFFORTS MORE SUCCESSFUL.

WELL, NOW IT'S TIME to complete the psychologist, pulmonary and cardiologist consult... which, because of my health hx. are all warranted. I AM EXTREMELY ANXIOUS ABOUT COMPLETING THE SURGERY, AND STARTING MY LIFE OVER, BUT REALIZE NOW, MORE THAN EVER, THE IMPORTANCE OF DOING ALL THINGS DECENT AND IN ORDER, which includes ALL of these medical clearances in my case...

HATS OFF TO DR. MAREMA AND ASSOCIATES, AND HOLY CROSS HOSPITAL FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND COMMITTMENT TO BARIATRIC SURGERY... RATED 10!

OF COURSE THESE STATEMENTS ARE MY PERSONAL OPINIONS, AND PLEASE DON'T BASE ANY OF YOUR FINAL DECISIONS ON THESE... YOU MUST HAVE YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES... LATER!

MARCH 28...Though i've attended info & educ. session(s), as well as a group meeting, seen the pulmonary dr., and completed the psych. assessment,("HI LAVERNE").
I have yet to be one on one with Dr. Marema... very busy office, but if you follow the structured plan, I do believe his overall program is very thorough, and the experience and efficiency of this group is remarkable... NOW WAITING ON INS. APPROVAL, FOR SURGERY, OPEN RNY, HAVE REFERRAL FOR OFFICE VISIT TO DR. MAREMA ALREADY!
APRIL 24 I AM APPROVED, THANK YOU JESUS! Special thanks Karen & Cary, two of the most "tolerant" people i've ever met! smile

may 10 Thank God for opening doors for me to complete "Marema's Pathway" (from MARCH 19 info session to MAY 19 surgery date) in exactly TWO MONTHS! NOTHING'S IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! BY THE WAY THIS INCLUDES 2 SLEEP STUDIES, PULMONARY VISITS, CARDIAC CLEARANCE, PSYCH, BLOODWORK, GROUP SESSION, INS. APPROVAL, EVERYTHING.. THANK YOU JESUS!
MAY 14TH I ACTUALLY MET DR. MAREMA... HE EXCEEDED ALL THAT I HOPED FOR IN A DR. THANK YOU JESUS! ALL IS GO FOR SATURDAY!

I am impressed that Dr. Marema has had
first hand knowledge of what it feels like
to be obese, since he has had this surgery
himself. So has his wife and his neice
(he did his neice's surgery).
That alone means more than having someone
do my surgery who has no clue. I feel that
he will be more careful to ensure that my
life gets better through his care.
<P>
Then I did research to find out how he
performs the surgery, his success rate,
patient survival rate, and
as much info as I could find out from
others. His staff consists of 24 people to
keep this ball rolling for everybody,
and even that isn't enough because they are
tremendously busy-but still somehow take
the time to answer individual questions and
help us all. Very impressive!
<P>
I get the feeling that he is on the cutting
edge of revolutionizing weight loss surgery
by helping to bring it to the fore-front so
as many people realize that it is a
possibilty, as possible.
<P>
I would like to see the Information
Meeting take place on the same day as the
Education Meeting, for us out-of-towners.
This could be optional for those who are
just gathering info at the first meeting,
but for those of us who have already
gathered a great deal of information, this
dual-meeting would help save us the extra trip.
<P>
I agree in part with what one person stated about
the Information meeting seeming alot like
a cattle-call, but I suppose there is no
other way to expedite getting the most
information out there to everybody that
wants it. Perhaps over time, they will
explain this at the meeting instead of
taking it for granted that we have all come
to be there via the same identical search.
Otherwise it seems like a cattle-call, or that they are
"recruiting" surgery cases. I don't believe
this is what they are doing; I think they
are meeting the needs of the many in as
efficient a way as possible: via a group meeting.
The alternative is making an office appointment
and waiting many more months, and none of us want that!
<P>
As for Dr. Marema himself, he is upfront
about the risks involved, which I respect.
He is cordial and seems compassionate to our
plight. He is non-judgemental and that is
so incredibly refreshing in a physician.
<P>
His after-care plan is exceptional, and
everyone in his office has been most helpful
every time I've called. I'm quite impressed
so far. That's why I've decided to endure the
10-hour round trip and all the extra
effort involved. I decided my health is
worth the extra effort.
<P>--Above info written on 04/05/01--<P>
<P><B>UPDATE: 05/07/01:</B>
<P>
<B>My insurance company is PHCS Private Healthcare Systems,
Great West Annuity & Life (formerly General American, recently changed) PPO </B>
and they approved my surgery during just a phone call from Dr. Marema's insurance specialist, Kerrie.
I understand that they don't usually
approve over the phone, but often approve
first letter submissions if the surgery is
medically necessary and all their
requirements are met. I was told to
submit a letter of diet history
(insert scream here) and a script from my
PCP/Primary Care Physician stating
that "Weight loss surgery is medically
necessary for (me) due to morbid obesity."
Dr. Marema's insurance specialists will let
you know what your insurance company
requires from you at the Information meeting. For info
on all that & more, see the link and phone number below.

<P><B>** Dr. Marema's office web page link: </B> <a href="http://www.browardobesitysurgery.com/">Broward Center for Obesity Surgery</a>
<P><B>** Dr. Marema's Toll-Free Phone Number: </B>1-800-592-7546.
<P>The insurance list on this page is not updated, so don't freak out if your insurance company isn't listed.
<P><P><B>**Please note:</B> These are all my own personal
opinions; other individuals need to make up
their own minds after careful consideration,
as I have done. <P>Best wishes to all!

my impression of dr.marema is that he is honest.my info session is 4-04-01.and i'm so excited to go!my friend just had her surgery
on 03-27-01 with dr.marema.and she is happy
she did it.she called me last night to said
she lost 14 pounds!dr.marema staff is great!
karen is a great she will talk to you even
when she sound busy,she takes time the talk to you and calm your fears about approval!!

4/4 i just went to my ed.session to was good,i learned a lot and more excited about the surgery.
4/18 went to see my pcp dr.spindell,he is
GREAT!!he listened to what i had to say and
is going to help me get the surgery.he said next is to get a ref.to see dr.marema.i will
update after my appointment with dr.moorehead
on 4/25.MY JOURNEY HAS BEGUN!!!
4/25 i went to see dr.moorehead.i don't see
her but one of her assoc.she said i will do well and will send my transcrpits to dr.marema.next is my ref.to see dr.marema
i will update that!
5/2 I'M APPROVED AFTER ONE LEETER!!!!!

I haven't met Dr. Marema yet, I did go to an information seminar of his, but he had a collegue stand in for him as he was out of town at the time. I met a few ladies from his office and they all seemed very nice. They said at the time of the seminar that it would be 6 months from that day until we had surgery (long waiting period), but I went to that seminar a couple of months ago, before Christmas infact, and I went ahead and started the process with them eventhough I had not decided that I wanted Dr. Marema to be my surgeon (I figured it couldn't hurt). They went over all the risks and urged us to do as much research as we could to make sure that we were making the right decisions for ourselves and to be our own patient advocate and if possible to pick someone in our lives to take this journey with us as there are peeks and valleys emotionally. The aftercare program is quite good according to the information that they provide with monthly meeting at HCH and visits with the doctor, the staff urges you to go to at least one meeting before surgery to get a patients take on the surgery and life after.
I do have a few questions to ask him as I have done some resarch,(as suggested) and I have found what might be a discrepancy and I want to know how certain risks can be avoided or tested for. So when my questions are answered, will make the final determination that he will be my surgeon. :o) If anything else arises I will update this post -Judy

I met Dr. Marema today...I must say he has a great personality and bedside manner aswell.

I have only had one meeting so far with Dr. Marema but I truely believe that first impressions are everything. Keeping that in mind I find Dr. Marema to be very kind and extremely in tune with his patients. His office staff was exceptional and went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. What comforted me even more was knowing that Dr. Marema and several of his staff have had the surgery and look and feel great.

I sat up in the front row of his surgery information meeting. Although I'd done quite a bit of research, it was nice to see how thorough Dr. Marema is with his talk. His staff seemed full of energy and most have also had the surgery. He has a strong emphasis on aftercare and a wonderful aftercare program. I am well informed and anxious to complete Dr. Marema's pre-op requirements.
After meeting Dr. Marema at my pre-op consult, I like him even better if possible. Although the wait was way too long, my appointment was at 6pm and I didn't leave until after 9:30, he went out of his way to answer my questions and my husband's questions and even did Winnie the Pooh impressions for my five-year-old. I feel like I am in the best of hands as far as skill is concerned.

I really feel comfortable with Dr.Marema. He is very open and friendly,and he has a great sence of humor! He is a really funny guy. He is extremly knowledgable and has had the surgery himself. He demands support group meetings every month for the rest of your life. The office staff is great, they were all so friendly and enthusiastic. They made me feel at home. The only thing that irked me is that they said I was 5'5", when I am actualy 5'7 1/2" My sister was with me, who actually modeled,because she is 5'11 1/2" and so she asked to be messured and was told that she is 5'9"!!! But anyway that doesnt really matter, everyone in the office is very helpful and willing to answer all your questions. From a 1-10 rating scale i definatly give Dr.Marema and his staff a 10!!

It was a convincing experience to find out that Dr. Marema had the surgery himself. At the time I was so concerned with the risks involved and the permanency of this procedure, however, I thought if a surgeon had this surgery on his own body, then certainly he believes in it as a solution. His staff is a well oiled machine of information and help through this life changing process. Like all machines though, sometimes you just have to give it a kick. They have to deal with a myriad of anxious obese people at the end of their rope in battling this fatal disease. Now THAT is not an easy task! The Doc's program encompasses all aspects of this surgery -- mental, physical and most important, aftercare. The Support Group meetings are invaluable for information and fellowship. I feel very confident that I can get all my questions and fears addressed, if not by the Doc directly, but by the other post-ops. He pulls no punches about the risks of this surgery. Having it done by him is well worth the wait. I truly believe it is a calling for him, not just a business. Just my opinion.

VERY NICE ALSO IT IS A GREAT COMFORT TO KNOW HE HAD THE SURGURY HIM SELF AND MANY OF HIS EMPLOYEES EVERY ONE IS VERY NICE AND UNDERSTANDING.