Dr. Robert Fietsam
Surgery - Thoracic
Wesley Chapel, FL
37 years experience male
Locations
Medical Wellness of Tampa
Wesley Chapel, FL
My office hours
Thursday: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Show morePhone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
AF&L Insurance Company
About
Bio
I am a very athletic, young in spirit, handiwork of God, who has enjoyed a quarter of century of highly technical work on the human heart, lungs and arteries. My initial interest in college was chemistry, and I have gone back to that first love, understanding and treating the chemical disorders of the mind and of the substances that 23 million americans are addicted to. From opiates, nicotine, to benzos and cocaine. My new field of work has allowed me more time to exercise, run, bike, and spend time with my family, doing the same. I hope that my work and life experiences may be helpful to others in this new mode of medical communication and education and that it can lead to an elimination of insurance companies or at least reduce the barriers created between physicians and patients.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Surgery - Thoracic
Addiction Medicine
Thoracic Surgery
Licenses
United States: Florida, New York
Doctor Q&A
286 Answers
69 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Visit an AA meeting.: AA meetings are easy to find online, look for a open discussion group, and plan to spend a hour listening to others who have recognized the depth of t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Yes...safe: After 3 months, it would be safe to wean off 1 mg/day. First, 0.5 mg/day x 7 days, than 1/4 mg x 7 days. Rebound anxiety is the biggest concern
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Yes, esp. If echo +: If there is right ventricular compression by echo cardio gram, then sooner, the better. Distention of pericardial sac can cause symptoms you describe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Get chest X-ray : you may have a fluid collection in your lung, which a X-ray or CT scan should pick up.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Time for X-ray or ct: Three months is a long time to have a cough. Antitussives Usually it might be helpful but after three months I would recommend more radiographic infor... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Yes: Both have 5 mg of hydrocodone.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Unlikely: Nurophen's main ingredient is ibuprofen, which is also in Motrin and Advil. It is a very common NSAID, which does not have addictive properties. An ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Locus coeruleus: Excess automatic excitement within the brain. Clonidine, alpha 2 agonist, will help reduce this discomfort.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Like Benadryl (diphenhydramine).: Doxylamine is an antihistamine like benadryl (diphenhydramine). Is has similar sedating properties. Not too strong. Minimal anti anxiety effect.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Yes: frequently, hypogonadism (low testosterone), is associated with meth and narcotic use, (long term). I recommend labs tests for testosterone, and if lo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Yes, but uncommon: a fast heart rate, like over 180 beats a min, can result in smaller pulses of blood being ejected from the heart. This can lead to a lower blood pres... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Indirectly.: A decreased blood pressure, if it is associated with a decreased flow, may increase the risk of blood clotting. High blood pressure is frequently ass... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Yes: If you are describing chantix and lunesta (eszopiclone) ( eszopicione) then, yes it's safe. No known interactions.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Fat into muscle: If you look slimmer, but weigh the same, you may be converting fat tissue to muscle tissue, with exercise and better food choices. Muscles are more d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Good insight: First, congrats on recognizing one of the biggest problems in the USA. Second, you can not stop it yourself. You need some else to someone else to o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
YES: Suboxone contains Buprenorphine and naltrexone. The first is similar to methadone, but the second, will block the effects of methadone. So, taking t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Not lymph node: There really are no lymph nodes in breast tissue. Bumps in the breast could be from cystic nodule or another breast cancer. I would recommend seeing y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Yes: Clonazepam is a calming benzo like alprazolam but it's onset is slower and it lasts longer
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Unlikely: Undigested corn is normal. The fact that some kernels took longer then others is not surprising. This is unrelated to your gallbladder.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Not too much.: If you use frequently, this could be a very bad sign of impending nasal septal perforation. If just a one time event, hold pressure x 5 minutes to tr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 56-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Use half q 2 days: Tramadol has a medium half life. If you reduce the amount you're taking by half every 2 days, you should be able to stop after about a week.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Yes: And then there may be an indication for surgery
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Not physically: Addiction can be psychological physical or emotional. I am on aware of any physical protection or need for carbonation. There are many people who beco... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Local GP: Most internal hemorrhoids are within an inch of your anus opening. A sensitive finger should be able to determine that.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Yes. : It sounds quite safe. All reasonable doses.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Ignore: A heart rate monitor used during gentle exercise can be helpful. Estimated max HR is 220 - age.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Ignore: "Hey Doc, do you have any suggestions about how to deal with my heart disease?" Direct is best.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Ignore: The brain can create new pathways for information, but it takes time. Be patient. Keep practicing.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Yes. : Work on two different sets of receptors. Should be no problem
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Not Recommended: "at least 1 beer??", how about, at most 1 beer. Klonopin (clonazepam) which is a benzodiazepine, when mixed with alcohol, can produce respiratory dep... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
No: There is no known interaction between those two meds. But, as you probably know, pregnancy and Accutane are a very very bad combination.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 65-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Clip it: There are minimally invasive ways to clip the appendage, and reduce your stroke risk
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Reduction.: If you can reduce your opiate use by 10% each week over the next two months you should be fine. Do you have an emotional problem that you are trying t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Unlikely, esp at 18 : Other things would be higher on the list, primarily dysmotility. The smooth contractions within the esophageal area may not be working correctly. Or... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Yes, but...: You are creating a rollercoaster type of behavior which suggests pending addiction. The Ambien (zolpidem) won't work as well, plus, more and more rep... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Maybe 5-8 years: It is hard to find research on that particular issue, but there are tests that a Pulmonary Specialist can perform (FEV1, lung capacity, arterial blood... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Echo in 1 year.: Long term survival is not particularly affected by mild tricuspid regurgitation, or leak. Repeat 2-D echo in one year would be a good follow-up. Mod... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Within 2 weeks: Every 3 days cut the dose your are using in half. After 12 days, your dose should be low enough to stop completely. You may need some ibuprofen or ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Complex, which state: one, marijuana is still illegal in most states.
two, depression and/or anxiety can be a side effect of marijuana use.
three, marijuana has not been en... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Rib joint swelling: In the front of your chest is a big bone, the sternum. Attached to it from both sides are the anterior (or front part) of your first through sixth ri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
False Positive PCP: I am not sure why, but Lamictal, Effexor, (venlafaxine) and a few other drugs show up positive for PCP.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
4 days to recover: After thymectomy, platelet counts recover quickly, and should stay up. There is no indication that they would drop again.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
No: An increased or decreased Herat rate may result from a cancer infiltration into the conduction system, but of itself, heart rate changes them self do ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
NO: Mild to moderate alcohol use can increase "good" cholesterol , but doesn't affect calcium deposits on valve. I suspect you are on a blood thinner for... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
After 24 hours, IV: It sounds like a bad case of food poisoning, but many other options. If you are unable to hold down water or gatorade, or any fluids, dehydration can... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Normal, for you: In most people this does not happen, but there is a physiologic reason for when it does. The alcohol gets quickly absorbed by the intestinal cells, w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Less than 5% on side: There is a 50% chance of a recurrence after a spontaneous pneumothorax, without surgery. 60-70% for a second recurrence. That is why surgery is reco... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
STOP !!: An excessive amount of caffeine and stimulants can, and have lead to abnormal and fatal heart beats and rhythms. People have died from too much stimul... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Poss. UTI: Painful urination (or pressure at the end of urination) and hematuria could be signs of a urinary tract infection. Your primary care physician could... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Fietsamanswered
Surgery - Thoracic 37 years experience
Unlikely.: TOS usually has weakness or pain associated with particular arm movements. Dystonia is usually an abnormal and or erratic arm or leg movement with ex... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
255
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Apr 21, 2018
I had the pleasure of seeing Him prior to my cervical disc replacement surgery and he was amazing Really very thankful to have met him at physical medicine Center
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Fietsam is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Fietsam is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! thanks doc, pls advise further wat medicine/exercise i should do to cure it. i will be highly thanful to you for this kind help. Have a nice day.
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you doctor, this really cleared things up for me. I am so glad that you took the time to answer my query and I appreciate it. Thank you.
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Dr. I am thankful to you for your time, it was a poor choice and not something I would choose again. Respectfully, Tori
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
null
Graduated nullMD
Medical/Graduate school
Wayne State University School of Medicine, MI
Graduated 1986MD
Residency
DETROIT RECEIVING HOSPITAL & UNIV HEALTH CENTER
Completed 1995
Residency
WILLIAM BEAUMONT HOSPITAL
Completed 1991
Awards
ROSE Award, Genesis Hospital
Charles Guthrie Award
Top Thoracic Surgeon , First Place, National - Summer
2014
Affiliations
Member of American Society of Addiction Medicine
American Medical Athletic Association
Fellow of American College of Surgeons, FACS
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