Dr. Marchesini - Info and patient reviews?

So - I'm gathering information for my sister.  In case she decides not to bother with fighting her insurance, she's interested in hearing about Dr. Marchesini.

I've already heard some great stuff about him, but would invite people to share their experiences so I can pass along the information to her.

Also - his contact info?  I know he has no website, but his email? A rough price range?  And he performs open, correct?

ETA - She was also wondering about his method for determining the CC length?

Thanks a bunch!

Mdae--
I have been in contact with Dr Marchesini recently regarding the DS.  He quoted me the following (the Brazilian Real is their currency):
 Open DS--  R21000= $11,323
 Lap DS-- R 26000= $14,020

These prices are based upon the exchange rate and are current as of this AM.

His email address is [email protected]

He has been very responsive every time I have emailed him and very forthcoming in answering all my questions.  So far I have been very impressed.

Hope this is helpful.  He has a very loyal following and I'm certain some of his patients will willingly share their stories.  Best of luck to your sister.
Lisa

Thanks a lot for the information, I'll pass it along.

Love, love, love this man. I cannot say enough good things about him. He is personable, pleasant, warm, kind, and extremely skilled. He is available to his patients 24/7. His "right-hand man" Durvall is on-call 24/7 also to take care of anything you need.

My first day back in the hotel I spiked a fever. I called him at the office to ask him what I should do. He was in my room within 15 minutes. He checked me out, but wanted to run some tests to make sure there wasn't a leak. He got his car, met me and my mom in front of the hotel, drove us to the hospital and personally escorted us inside so we wouldn't have to wait. You cannot get this kind of personal service in the states.

I know he still has the hotmail address, but I believe his preferred method is [email protected] .

He does both open and lap surgery. I chose to have mine done lap. My total cost (airfare for 1, visas for 2, hospital fees, doctor fees, prescriptions, hotel fees, miscellaneous expenses (food, taxi), and 2 extra days in the hospital) was right around 20,000US. Just for reference, you can deduct over 1000 off that price if there are no complications and I've heard that you can book the hotel online much cheaper than Dr M gets it for, however you will have to find a way to and from the airport (taxis are everywhere), but he provides a van if you book through him.

I believe he typically does a 65 or 75CC length, but he is certainly open to doing what you want. After much debate with myself, I requested a 100CC because I felt more comfortable with it. I figured I would rather face possibly not getting all the way to goal than dealing with more malabsorption and potential bathroom and vitamin issues.

If she has any questions she is more than welcome to get ahold of me. He is the best and I highly recommend him.

 

Thank you for sharing your experience, I'm sure that I'll be PMing you if she decides to go that route.

Hi!

Dr. M uses the Hess method for the CC length, but he will work with you if you talk to him and give him good reasons for a different length, i.e., maybe better absorbtion at 100 CC.

My common channel is 75cc and I have had no problems.  I also had my surgery open.

I have had several surgeries in the US and the DS in Brazil far surpassed all of them for quality of care, cleanliness and just about everything else.  I would send a loved family member to Dr. M with no qualms whatsoever.

Dr. M is the most compassionate human being I have ever met and cares about his patients like no other.  I have his office phone, hospital phone, cell phone and home phone numbers with instructions to call anytime I need him.

HTH,
Michele

I have heard nothing but great stuff about him in the past, so I'm pretty comfortable making the suggestion.  Thanks a bunch for your input!

Since you had your surgery open - can i ask how long your incision is? Thanks!

About 7 inches, a thin white scar that you can barely see. My stretch marks look worse.  Prior to this surgery, I had an open abdominal surgery that left a thick scar with railroad tracks from the staples.  Dr. M got rid of all of that and this one is much nicer. lol

Michele

If she's not afraid to go to Brazil and is going to cash pay, she should also look at using my surgeon, possibly, for her DS ..   Dr. Antelmo Sasso is very well-known in Brazil for his great WLS and DS skills, as well ..   Currently he is charging $11.5K for lap DS, all medical costs included ..