I will be scheduling my surgery soon at Flagler Hospital in St Augustine with Dr. Robert T Marema....has anyone on here been banded by him??? I would appreciate any info. Thanks soooooo much!

:confused2:

Hi, I am so glad to see this dr.'s name mentioned as I found his name , called them and they will be on board with my medicare advantage plan , Quality Health in a week or so. I am tickled but I don't think Flagler Hospital is on Medicare list as approved. Are you on medicare? The dr.'s office told me you only need 4 month diet plan , so now I am waiting for my insurance co. to get back with me on it. I can't believe the surgeon's office charges $600.00 for this class and book, I can't afford that. Hopefully it is not necessary. When do you see him?

Karen

I met Dr. Marema in 2007. Upfront, he was very nice. Before I booked my LAP BAND surgery, the office was responsive to my questions and concerns and seemed to care. Dr. Marema performed the surgery at Celebration Hosp. I was discharged and NEVER heard from the office again. Dr. Marema nor any of his staff called to check in on me. I never even saw Dr. Marema in the hospital for post-op visit (rounds). A few days later I called with some concerns and told the office I wish they would have given me a courtesy call to see how I was doing. My husband is a doctor and ALWAYS calls his patients post surgery. Fast forward three years, I had a complication with the band (slippage) and it needed to come out. Dr. Marema's office hours are terrible and no longer has hospital priveledges in Orlando. When I had my complication I had to either drive to St. Augustine to see him (I was in no condition to do so) or wait 2 weeks. The nurse was less than helpful and even rude. She told me I was "overreacting, and that I should just stop panicing". 24 hours later I was in the hospital with dehydration. Since the band has come out (30 days ago) I have tried to call Dr. Marema to ask some questions. I was informed yesterday HE DOES NOT TAKE PATIENT CALLS UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY. I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE AN APPT TO ASK A SIMPLE QUESTION. Furthermore, since I dont have the band placed they dont consider me a patient in the practice!! Even though I had a lap band 30 days ago and I was considering a revision surgery. I am very frusterated with the lack of patient care and concern. I have given this office so many chances and every time I am disappointed. By the way, I NEVER have left a negative review of any professional. Being that my husband is a doctor- I am very sensitive to patients being difficult. I assure you that I was a very reasonable patient. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU NOT USE THIS OFFICE.

(This is my fathers account, but I also use it to research for him)
Amen to that, Orlando_mom... Though I am sorry for your bad experience, I am glad to be reassured that WE weren't being unreasonable and we are not the only ones who have had issues with Dr. Marema and his office. Though the complications with my dad could have happened under the care of any doctor, it was how he handled it.