Anyone use Dr. Robert Marema for DS in St Augustine?

I thought I had my mind all set (RNY) went to two different seminars, picked a surgeon and the hospital, and then started reading about the DS.  Well, I think I have made up my mind (again). after hearing about the good the bad and the ugly, I am going to contact Dr Marema tomorrow to find out when his next seminar is.....and change to a DS.  I hope my insurance covers it.  Dr Kim (the surgeon I was going to use and might still depending on what ins says) used to do the DS but said there are too many complications from it.  His office has not gotten back to me as of yet to tell me what they are.  just wanted to let you guys know that your posts do make a difference........it sounds too good to be true.  will learn more as time goes on.  thanks Maria

There are no real DS surgeons in Florida, regardless of what these two surgeons say. I'm sorry, but if you really want the DS, you are going to have to travel outside of FL. I would like to suggest to you that you contact Dr. William Peters in Scranton, PA. 570=969-2527.

Maria-
As far as I know there are no DS surgeons in Florida.  I went to Omaha three years ago for surgery and my DH had the DS in July, also with Dr. Anthone in Omaha.  If it is the DS that you want do not let anyone talk you out of it.  There are surgeons that will tell you they do the DS but when you go for a consult they will tell you all of the reasons that the DS is not a good surgery for you, when the truth is they do not do it.  We call them bait and don't switch surgeons.  You are right about Dr. Kim.  He moved here from I think it was Mississippi and he did the DS for a short while after he moved here.  But he stopped doing the surgery in I think it was 2004 or 2005.

Most of us had to travel to have the DS.  Traveling to have the DS is easy peasy.  DS surgeons are quite used to working with out of town patients and will do everything they can to make it go smoothly.  Generally one sees the surgeon for an initial consultation and then you have all of your pre-op testing done local to you.  You go back for surgery -- and then generally return at six months and one year.  Your surgeon will work with your local PCP to ensure that you get the care that you need. 

We have a support group that meets here in Orlando and we would love to have you join us.  We get together every other month and the next meeting is in December.  Let me know if you would like more information.

Oh and I suggest you contact your insurance company yourself to find out what is covered.  Which insurance do you have? 

Red

why would he say he does the DS and then not do it?  I need a center of excellence hospital, and flagler hospital is one, I have BCBS of SC and they have a rider at my work excluding wls, so I have medicare as secondary amd they will cover a DS.  I cant travel because I am the sole supporter for my family (2 children) and I dont get child support or alimony, and my income is low......now I am not sure what to do....I will talk to the drs office tomorrow and get some more info....thanks for the response.  Maria

I'm sorry you got sold a bill of goods hon. Frankly, why do they say they do the DS? It's a sales technique. This is a miserable thing and it's hard to swallow. Ah, you are Medicare, okay. Dr. Peters doesn't take Medicare. In that case please contact Dr. David Greenbaum in Willingboro, NJ. www.duodenalswitchdoc.com .He and his office can make things happen for you. Although he was not my surgeon, I interviewed him for my surgery and I have followed several of his patients and think very highly of him and his practice. Don't be afraid to travel. People here in NJ, self included, will help you out. Please feel free to PM me if you'd like.

Maria-
Dr. Anthone and Methodist Hospital in Omaha have the COE.  Medicare paid for my DH's surgery.  Dr. Anthone also does not require his out of town patients to stay in the area a couple of weeks after surgery.  Generally he keeps them in the hospital an extra day or so and releases them to fly home.  My DH was in the hospital six days.  We flew out a couple of days before and then returned home a week after his surgery.  Many people fly out the day before, but we had friends we wanted to see before he went in for surgery.

Red

Do you have friends or family anywhere else in the country that might be closer to a DS surgeon? Then you could stay with them instead of in a hotel for a few days for your surgery.

Think about those 2 children - you can find a way to work out a short-term plan that will enable you to get the DS now, or you can get an RNY instead and have a greater chance of regaining all your weight again in the future. Which do you think would be more painful for your children?

I just wanted to add a bit about these "complications" Dr. Kim speaks of -- BS.  The DS & RnY are basically in a statistical tie as far as surgical complications.  What he should really explain is that the DS takes money out of his profit margin, and that is why he doesn't perform it.  Don't forget, medicine is a business, and surgery is BIG money.

The DS takes more OR time than the RnY, yet insurance will usually pay the same amount = less profit.

The RnY is an easy insurance sell, and it is more profitable, so it makes for a much easier after-care program if you just focus on the big seller / higher profit surgery.  The DS requires different after-care than the RnY, but if you are diligent and don't self-sabotage, you will do fine --- if you stick around here and don't listen to the nutritionist that tries to fit you into what *they* know, which is all RnY.

There is another woman in FL (Stormy), who just went to TX for her DS.  She has two small children and her husband is stationed overseas.... it can be done.  It may take some planning and leaning on others for help, but anything is possible, and your long-term health is worth making it happen.

Maria, Hi!  Do you live in Northern Florida?  Here is a list of DS surgeons (except that Gagner is no longer in Miami.)  http://www.duodenalswitch.com/surgeons/surgeons.html
Before Dr. G, I was planning on going to Dr. Smith in GA or maybe Pomp in New York.  It's pretty easy to catch a quick flight to New York.   But I don't know which ones take medicare.  Why don't you start a new thread and ask that question.  I'm sure someone here can help you with that.  What age are your kids?  Is there a relative or friend that they could stay with?  Don't give up on this.  Get the best WLS  cause when you are helping yourself you are helping your kids!  -Jenny

If he's really doing the DS, he may be brand new at it, which brings another decision.  Do you want to be one of the patients he learns on?  Otherwise, it would be great to have one in Florida doing the DS!