I guess I'm a little late in posting my opinion on Dr. Marema, which seems to be a little different than some of the others that have posted. But for those still looking for opinions on him..

Dr. Marema is a competent surgeon but I personally did not feel the "warm and fuzzies" from him post sleeve.  I had a GI complication a few months later and when I called and spoke to the nurse she asked me "what I expected Dr. Marema to do about it". (I was just seeking some guidance) The office had scheduled one of my post op visits about 10 days earlier than it should have been (don't even remember why) and because my weight loss was not what it would normally have been (because it was 10 days early-I was 100% compliant) he scolded me!  He then realized that it was because I was in early, but the scolding still hurt. Maybe I am/was over sensitive but I really needed some positive reinforcement, not to be made to feel that I had done something wrong.  As a result, I stopped going to the follow up visits.  I acknowledge that I was being a big baby about it but I've heard a lifetime worth of crap about my weight.

I lost 90 lbs but was not able to reach goal which would have been 30 more. Still was close enough to no longer be considered "fat" and to be treated as a normal human being. Unfortunately I developed severe GERD as a result of the sleeve. (this was NOT Dr. Marema's fault-it is a side effect that occcasionally happens with some patients. I was not aware of that but that's my fault for not researching as I should have. I just wanted the fat to go away and did not study the possible side effects as I should have. Still would have done it though)
So in year 5, the GERD created constant bouts of aspiration pneumonia and I was extremely sick for over a year.  No one could figure out what was wrong with my lungs!  After many tests, hospitalizations and doctors, they finally figured out it was stomach acid going into my lungs. I knew I had the GERD and was taking Nexium  but I wanted them to get the lung issue resolved before I addressed the GERD further, not realizing the GERD WAS the lung issue. During this year, due to steroids, feeling like crap and being depressed, I put on 50 lbs. My pouch stretched back out to almost regular size partially due to the acid erosion and partially due to my stuffing myself to feel better. 

The only fix for GERD this severe is...*drum roll* gastric bypass to keep the stomach acid from backing up and being aspirated.  I contacted Dr. Kim's office about a revision but his office manager told me he would not be interested in doing a revision for a "non compliant" patient. (???) She also told me there was no way insurance would cover this.  My pulmonologist and thoracic surgeon had highly recommended Dr. Jawad anyway, so I just had my sleeve converted to RNY 2 weeks ago by him. AND, unlike the first surgery, insurance DID cover it this time as the repeated assault of acid on my lungs was eventually going to kill me. I am resisting the urge to call Dr. Kim's office manager and say "nanner nanner". GERD is all gone and have already lost 13 lbs.  I am confident that I will make it to goal this time and I am also working very hard on the issues that cause me to medicate myself with food. One thing I learned, is that this is not a magic bullet. But the surgery IS a boost to get you going in the right direction.

Personally, I feel more of a sense of caring from Dr. Jawad. He kept me in the hospital an entire week as the surgery had to be open due to some complications but he was very very cautious and paid a lot of attention to all the details of my case.  I really felt like I was in good hands.  I'm sure part of all this attention was because I was not a typical case, but still feel less like "just a number" than I did with Dr. Marema's office.

So...Dr. Marema is, I think a good doctor. All physicians have to make a living and bariatric surgery is big business.  I just sometimes felt the business part seemed more important to him than the patient part.  It also kind of bothered me that he never disclosed that he is affiliated with the bariatric vitamin company he recommends to his patients.

Thank you :)

Getting ready to come back to florida next month for 8 months would really like to hook up with support group meetings with post ops.....please let me know if there are any....my email is
[email protected]     thanks............really need support, I am out five years now and struggle every day to follow the program......also need a good doc down there in case of emergency.................since my rny I had petersons hernia repair one year out, (internal hernia) arms done, plastic and then corset trunk plasty down two years this May......never made goal weight and struggle to not regain...........thanks again....

 
I cannot say enough about Dr. Wiljon Beltre!!! He is compassionate, and caring and he doesn't give up.  After he did my revision I had two bowel obstructions and then my colon wasn't working and always while in the hospital he stopped by EVERY day!! And got me back to where I need to be. If you have any questions...look me up!! A most grateful patient - that I am....


http://www.facebook.com/Bariatricsurgery02

Hi, I have been here in Florida for 3 years, and have been looking for a good doctor also. I chose Dr. Marema, and I am very happy with he, and staff so far.
  It is true that he offers only one support group, but I did find a site that has helped me a lot, it is www. thinnertimes, it has just about everything you could ask for. check it out, Welcome to Florida!