Question:
Has anyone have experience with Dr. Giselle Hamad in Pittsburgh, PA

I filled out Dr. Schauer's initial packet and faxed it in last week, Two days later, I received a call from the UPMC Weight Management Center telling me I was approved to begin the process and they would forward my info to Dr. Hamad's office. I told them that I wanted Dr. Schauer. She said my packet would need to be reassessed and they would call me in a few days. After reading about the possible one year wait for Dr. Schauer and that some people have been operated on by Dr. Hamad at the last minute anyways, I called UPMC back and told them I would be willing to go to Dr. Hamad. Now, I am nervous about it. I know I will get a better feel for it once I actually meet with her, and I have seen the good comments about her on this site, but I would like to know of anyone's experience with her. Especially regarding her likelihood of converting a lap RNY to an open procedure.    — oneL (posted on August 1, 2002)

July 31, 2002
Well first WELCOME another of my surgeons patients! I have a mixed bag of info for you, its ALL good news but may confuse things even more.<P> First Dr Hamad has a wonderful reputation and is very well liked in our support group. She operates out of McGee womans hospital on a new bariatic floor. Its very nice me and Jen have visited others there. Your lucky too in that she tends to do the lower risk patients because of the differing equiptement at McGee. Highest risk folks ALL go to Presby. They have the expensive specialized equiptement for the most difficult surgeries. Incidently Dr Hammad ttained under Dr Schauer for a long time. Your in good hands with her!<P> Now at our last support group meeting we learned that Schauers wait time is falling. They are looking at about 6 months as of last month. Of course this varies depending on pre op tests needed, any additional problems found, insurance approval hang ups, etc. Whichever surgeon you settle on will be a great choice. <P> I knoiw Erie is a LONG ride but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you attend support group mewetings! Lots of info and talking with other pre and post ops makes this a LOT easier. Support group meeting is the FIRST wednesday of each month at Montefiore hospitals auditorium right next to presby at 7 pm. Your in luck thers a august support group picnic in Stoneboro, which is 1/2 the distance between erie and pittsburgh. Meet and talk with both surgeons patients. Take a long term post op to dinner and watch them eat good healthy foods in normal small portions. Congrats your about to begin a wonderful adventure! Having surgery to get the weight off was the BEST thing I ever did! My wife decided to do it too! POST OP IS THE PLACE TO BE!!!
   — bob-haller

July 31, 2002
I had lap rny surgery with Dr. Hamad December 11, 2001 and have lost 82 pounds. I originally started with Dr. Schauer and was asked if I would be interested in transferring to Magee with Dr. Hamad. I was very leary at first because I was confident in the skill level of Dr. Schauer but agreed to the move becuase I thought I may feel more comfortable with Magee. I haven't regretted my decision a single day. Dr. Hamad and her staff are excellent. Unlike Dr. Schauer's all-day wait for an appointment, Dr. Hamad's office runs on time. You actually see Dr. Hamad at every visit and she will spend as much time as you need to answer questions for either your or your family. She does individual appointments and does not have group appointments for the initial assessment. Although not a medical issue, I was very impressed when Dr. Hamad's physian's assistant and office assistant stopped in my room to see me while I was recovering. The only set back I experienced was a wound infection around my drain site. It occured during the holidays while Dr. Hamad was out of town. The physician covering her sent me to the emergency room. Dr. Hamad called me the morning she came back into town (I believe it was even New Year's Day) just to make sure everything had been handled correctly. I've never regretted my decision to move to Dr. Hamad's office even one time, and in fact feel extremely blessed that I happened upon her and her staff. If you have any specific questions or would like to talk further, please feel free to email me directly.
   — Cindy S.

August 1, 2002
Hi! I too started out wanting Dr. Schauer and was forwarded on to Dr. Hamad. She is an excellent surgeon and a very compassionate and caring person. There was no "group" appts. and I have seen her at almost every appt. I've been to at her office. Her office staff is also very supportive and excellent at their jobs. As a side note...Gina is wonderful. She goes above and beyond with answering "silly" questions from nervous patients. (Me! lol)The waiting time was also very quick. I saw her for my initial appt. on Feb. 14th and had my surgery on April 1st. Also, there were some complications during my surgery (not caused by her). I had a partially collapsed lung, many previous scar adhesions and an umbilical hernia that she repaired. She also said later that my skin didn't stretch as far as it should during LAP surgery. BUT even with all these complications and 6 1/2 hours of operating, she DID NOT revert to open surgery. (For which I am eternally grateful!) When I told her that she had changed & saved my life by performing this surgery....She said NO, YOU changed your life, I just spent a few hours in the operating room. I would highly recommend her to anyone. Good Luck and God Bless, Leah
   — Leah H.