What patients say about their care.

I was referred to Dr Marais through friends. I have been struggling with reflux for a while. When I went to see Dr, he immediately told me with his no-nonsense approach that he thinks I will benefit from the laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication op. He nevertheless went through all the pre-op tests to confirm.

It has been 8 weeks since the op and I am doing great. People told me horrific stories about not being able to swallow and eat only limited things after an op like this. I can safely say that I can swallow the same as before and eat everything and don't have the severe uncomfortable feeling, coughing and nausea at the end of each day. I can even sleep flat for the first time in a long time.

Dr Marais, Janet, the anaesthetist and theatre nurses were all great. I had a million questions before and after the op and all were answered patiently and politely.

I am forever thankful that I met Dr Marais and for what he has done for me.

I lived with extreme reflux and heart burn since I was a teenager. I had my first hernia repair when I was 25, I had another hernia repair at the age of 34 and again at age 39. Many nights I woke up choking on reflux. I am a foundation phase teacher. When I bend over to assist the learners in my class, I had to stand up quickly to swallow — reflux come whenever it wanted.

For three years I could not sleep lying down and had to sit up and sleep as the choking only got worse when lying down. It had a bad influence on my marriage of course as many nights I spent sleeping on the recliner in the living room, to be able to sit up and sleep. My life quality was not good. I saw an advertisement of Doctor Marais on Facebook. I made an appointment and took all previous reports of past doctors and procedures with me.

He booked me for a scope and after seeing what is going on inside me, he suggested that I go for a Roux-en-Y operation. In his opinion it would have been the only operation that can help me. As I was obese, suffering from depression caused by my poor health and weight, he said this operation will not only help me with my reflux, but it will also help with weight loss.

I had this operation a day before my 43rd birthday. My life changed 180 degrees. I never had heart burn or reflux again after this operation. I can sleep next to my husband, lying on a normal pillow. I never slept so well as I do now. I can bend over and assist the learners on the carpet, at their table and even on the playground. My starting weight a week before the operation was 127.8 kg. It has been three months since I had my operation. My current weight is 105.6 kg, and I am still losing cm and kilos.

I had the privilege of being treated by Dr Pieter Marais, an exceptional specialist surgeon.

I have always had 'girl problems' and battled for 20 years with my menstrual cycle. I was always prescribed with only contraceptives and pain medication. Never further investigation on my condition or acknowledging my plea for a hysterectomy. I was always deemed too young, even stating that I did not want children.

From our first meeting Dr Pieter Marais demonstrated expertise and experience, taking the time to listen and discuss my situation. He recommended procedures and explained why it was important and what I could expect throughout the process. Dr Pieter Marais has a calm and confident demeanour which immediately put me at ease to trust him.

The surgery was a great success and I felt reassured knowing I was in such capable hands. Every step was handled with precision and professionalism.

What a great choice I made, guided by Dr Pieter Marais, having my hysterectomy done and especially having it done by him with no complications knowing there can be serious consequences if not done with such technical excellence and knowledge.

I was very satisfied with the care I received and would not hesitate to recommend Dr Pieter Marais to anyone in need of a top-tier specialist. My quality of life has improved greatly.

Thank you Dr Marais.

I cannot recommend Dr Marais highly enough. For a long time, I struggled with what I assumed was just a postpartum 'pouch' that wouldn't go away. Discovering it was actually a hernia was a relief, and Dr Marais was incredibly patient throughout the entire process. He took the time to explain the issue and the corrective procedure in a way that made me feel completely at ease.

The surgery went perfectly; the incision is very neat and has healed beautifully with ongoing check-in messages of support. Beyond the physical fix, Dr Marais has truly given me my confidence back. Dr Marais is a surgeon who combines technical excellence with a wonderful bedside manner.

I have consistently faced challenges with weight loss and have experimented with numerous diets without achieving significant success. During my twenties, after getting married, I experienced gradual weight gain, largely attributable to poor eating habits and alcohol consumption. In 2023, I observed substantial weight loss in a friend who informed me that they had undergone a balloon insertion procedure to aid their weight management. They had lost over 15 kg at the time, and the results were quite impressive.

Initially, I hesitated to undergo the same procedure due to their accounts of postoperative vomiting.

Later in 2023, I conducted extensive research on Dr Marais, whose process mandates an initial consultation with a recommended dietitian. I decided to first meet with the dietitian and, although I achieved some weight loss, I was still eager to see more significant progress. Ultimately, I consulted with Dr Marais and opted for the balloon procedure. He meticulously explained all potential side effects, ensuring I was fully informed. He strongly advised that I continue working with the dietitian throughout the process.

I had the balloon inserted in early November, and, as forewarned, I experienced considerable side effects such as frequent vomiting. However, having the dietitian's support throughout the journey was immensely beneficial. Between November 2023 and June 2024, I successfully lost 23 kg. While the balloon significantly facilitated my weight loss, the insights and guidance from the dietitian, particularly their recommendations on walking and overall dietary habits, have been pivotal in maintaining my weight loss.

For those struggling with weight loss and facing substantial challenges, I highly recommend Dr Marais. My only remaining challenge now is updating my wardrobe due to my transformed appearance, which has also led to people not recognising me anymore. My self-confidence has soared, and I feel remarkable. To date I have lost 25 kg and am working with a trainer to firm up my body. If you are considering weight loss and contemplating a balloon procedure, I wholeheartedly endorse Dr Marais. He is professional, honest, and compassionate. I am eternally grateful for his support.

I came in with extreme pain, and it was challenging to identify the problem at first. However, Dr Marais was determined and never gave up. He made sure to find the issue. I remember the first thing I thought of when coming out of surgery was the relief of realising the pain was gone. That was such a great feeling.

Our experience with Dr Marais.

I am delighted to share our exceptional experience with Dr Marais, who is undoubtedly one of the most impressive medical professionals I have encountered. In the midst of a chaotic situation with no time for planning or decision-making, we feel extremely fortunate to have had Dr Marais involved. He demonstrated remarkable empathy and exceptional bedside manner, while also providing comprehensive knowledge and information, showcasing his expertise and confidence in the procedure, which enabled us to place our trust in him and feel at ease. He ensured my safety and well-being. He made us feel safe!

Thank you once again for all that you do — we will never forget.

Hiermee wil ek aan Dr Marais my dank betoon vir die wonderlike werk wat hy doen as dokter.

Danksy hom en sy intelligensie is ek na 15 jaar genees van 'n inwendige abses. Gedurende hierdie jare se besoek aan vele dokters, kon niemand suksesvol wees in hulle behandeling om my te genees nie.

Ek het baie gou herstel na die operasie, is nou gesond en voel fantasties! Dis asof ek nou nog nie kan glo ek is uiteindelik genees nie.

Van die JSH wil ek net sê, dis 'n uitmuntende hospitaal waarvan ek net goed kan praat. Opvallend skoon en netjies, met personeel wat ten alle tye behulpsaam en vriendelik was. Dit was vir my 'n voorreg om in die hospitaal te kon lê. Die tyd wat ek daar was, het ek net die beste behandeling gekry.

Voorwaar 'n hospitaal enig in sy soort! Mag JSH nog hoër hoogtes bereik en uitbrei om mense die beste en suksesvolste behandeling te gee.

Hi Dr Marais,

Thank you for your response and for taking the time to explain everything so clearly.

Most importantly, thank you for your care and expertise throughout this process and for performing my surgery. I truly appreciate all your help, guidance, and support, and I am very grateful for everything you and your team have done for me.

Thank you again, and I wish you and your team all the best.