Robert Marema Bariatric Surgeon

Dr. Marema is a laid back, likeable guy with a good sense of humor (can't help it-that's important to me!). I have the utmost confidence in him.

The staff is nice, but I did have some problems with them as far as the paper work goes.. they made good on the past errors and I'm hoping it's smooth sailing from now on in. You definitely want to read the literature you are given and remind them of things you've read that are needed (tests, scheduling, paperwork, etc.). Sometimes they miss things and it's in your best interest to make sure everything necessary is being done for you and at the proper times.

He was very impressive.And after he told us he had the surgery and that he used to be obese no one in the room believed him,then he showed us the pictures.No one could believe it. He was kind and honost and told you everything even the things you might not want to hear. But if your not committed to this it's ok if his honosty turns you away. This is a whole nbew way to live not a quick fix.His staff have been more than nice . They actually don't mind if you call everyday to see if you've got approval from insurance.After surgery I was told that the psychologist would be in to ensure that all went well and your coping. I had to go to alot of different classes(about3hrs. at his office to start,a 3 hr.talk with a psychologist,an information in depth about surgery,then a nutration class not to mention the cardiacologist and pulmonologist,the blood work,gallbladder ultrosound and upper gi. If this turns you off than your not ready .I started to do this last yesr and blew it off.
My doctor emphasizes alot of education before you go forward and after I will see him at 3,6,9,and 12 months, plus go to support meetings atleast 1 time every two months. I feel very confident in my doctor and i realize that there are risks, but I have to remember there are risks staying fat.

DR. MAREMA IS A WARM,FUNNY,AND GOOD HEARTED PERSON WITH THE COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THIS ILLNESS. THE OFFICE STAFF IS THE MOST DOWN TO EARTH GROUP YOU WILL EVER HAVE THE PEASURE TO MEET.THE ONE THING I REALLY LIKED ABOUT DR. MAREMA'S GROUP IS THE PACKAGE DEAL YOU GET, STARTING FROM THE THREE HOUR CLASS TO THE PSYCHIATRIST DR. MOREHEAD AND HER STAFF. I HAD OPEN RNY VERT BANDING BYPASS AT HOLY CROSS HOSPITAL AND IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN I WOULD.THE HOSPITAL STAFF WAS JUST GREAT.

I first met Dr. Marema at his monday night information meeting. It was very informative and Dr. Marema was very impressive. My husband was not very happy about me wanting or even thinking about having this sugery, but his ideas seemed to change a little after that meeting. I then had to go to a 3 hour group meeting with the nurse educator. This too was very information and they all seem to be so caring and genuanly concerned about every patient or potential patient (at this point you haven't even gotten to see the doctor one on one yet). I have also been to their required support group meeting before sugery can be scheduled. It was great (except for the 2 and 1/2 hour drive to Ft. Lauderdale. I feel very comfortable with having my sugery with Dr. Marema eventhough I haven't actually spoken with him directly yet. I am however required to have a cardiac clearance which I wasn't expecting. My biggest concern right now is that I cannot afford to take 6 weeks off of work (and the Physician that I work for cannot afford for me to be gone for 6 weeks either), and the only way they will do laperoscopic sugery is if you pay 2000.00 up front/above what my insurance will pay. I don't know about most people but, with a family of four and my husband on disability, I don't just have 2000.00 laying around for a rainey day, can't really afford to borrow the money from anyone, and certainly can't afford to be out of work for 6 weeks. So if anyone has any suggestions please feel free to let me know. I think Dr. Marema is great so far the only problem I have is that when I called to set up an appointment I specifically ask if I would be responsible to pay anything other than what my insurance covers and was told I would only be responsible for the office co-pay.

My first impression was very favorable and it has only continued to grow.
incredibly caring man. treats you as if you are the only one he is dealing with even when you know he has 15 more waiting to talk to him.
very strctured aftercare program-you are his patient "FOR LIFE".-Iwas impressed with that and see it to be true with his post op follow ups
that I have met. The risks of surgery are addressed over and over in the numerous programs
and/or information sessions you attend pre-op. I feel he has an outstanding program,great bedside manner and highest level of surgical
competence. I'm ready to start my new life.

My first impression of Dr. Marema was that he was as cute as can be, and what a sense of humor!! He has had the surgery himself so he knows what it is like to be this way, and he can relate to our pain..His office staff was great, a little too busy. but with patience everything went well..He has plenty of aftercare meetings and stresses the fact that you need to help yourself before the surgery can work for you...He addresses all the risks there are to any surgery, but he also makes you feel that he is there to take good care of you thoughout the procedure.. I would rate him an A in excellence, he is one great surgeon.

My experience so far with Dr. Marema was at his orientation, that is required before anything else. I had read a lot of positive things about him and wanted to see for myself. I was very pleased, he seemed very knowlegeable about the surgery. His staff is very friendly and warm. He answered all the questions that were asked although some of them were irelevant.
Both his staff and the Dr. emphasized that this was a commitment for life, and then went on to describe the aftercare. The one thing that does stand out was that he seemed very upfront about the risks involved, and the patients that he has lost. The only other thing was that he should of had more armless chairs. So far he seems like he has a great deal of surgical competence and I beleive that for myself that is the most important!

Dr. Marema is a gift--he truly is very compassionate--he himself and his office staff have had the procedure. There was never a doubt that he would be performing my surgery. You leave the hospital knowing you can contact him anytime. The aftercare and the support group that he has are wonderful. I feel that is an essential link.I went into surgery feelling that all of my questions preop had been addressed. He has a very extensive program both pre and post op.

Dr.Marema is great.He had the surgery so he knewwhat i was going thru. Staff is fantasticThere is nothing I don,t like about him.He has been there.he truly cars.All important after care plus support groups.He told me all the riskOn scale of 1-10 he is a 10 Both great

Dr.Marema is a very busy man, but he has takes the time to make sure he has a connection to his clients. He does a personal slide show with an explanation of everything on Monday nights at his office. (This is a FREE group seminar.)Another doctor I interviewed sits everyone in a room with a television and shows a video tape. Very cold and impersonal.
The night of the seminar you are weighed and copies of your insurance card are taken. The staff is able to tell you something about your insurance. They told me I would have an easy time, they told my friend it was going to be impossible and he needed to look at other options. They were right. My insurance approved after a few slight problems that were easily handled.
Dr. Marema goes to his own support group meetings once a month as does representatives of his staff and the psychologists he recommends. His meetings are huge now. But you must go and listen and see how people are living with their changes.
Other important things to know about Dr. Marema: He and his wife have both had the surgery with Dr. Fobi. So they know what we go through. And second, his education is topnotch and from University of Miami, so he has local roots. He will be here a long time and care about his practice.
He is having huge growing pains right now and considering how many people are coming to him, his office is handling it very well.