Anita Courcoulas Bariatric Surgeon M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Courcoulas was confident and presented the details of the surgery in a straightforward manner. She stressed the lifechanging aspects of the operation and that this surgery would provide me with a tool only -- one which I could use in losing and maintaining my weight or not. I have seen her two times and she was never impatient with any of my questions. However, delays in test results resulted in a delay of six weeks while I waited to find out whether or not I would be able to have the surgery. Her office did not push hard enough for the results, probably because they were just too busy. This doctor has performed over 1200 such surgeries with one death that I believe was due to a pulmonary embolism. She is highly qualified. I feel that surgical competence is better but that a good bedside manner runs a close second. I believe Dr. Courcoulas possesses both of these qualities. I feel that if I do run into a problem in the months after surgery I will need to be aggressive in making my needs known. However, I am finding this to be true in most of life these days.

I've only seen Dr. Courcoulas once so far, but if I had to pick one word to describe her, it'd be "confident".

I went into the appointment convinced she'd say, "Sorry, you're not a candidate." When she actually said, "You're a great candidate!" I was pretty much in shock for a few minutes. But I do remember her saying quite clearly, "I do a LOT of these surgeries, and I do them WELL."

I know, it sounds totally arrogant, and well, it IS arrogant - but I think that good surgeons have to be arrogant to a point at least. I just know I *believed* her, and I have total faith in her.

Her office staff has been patient and friendly so far, and all of my experiences so far have been positive. I'll be posting updates as I move along in the process.

I'm only 6 weeks post-op and feeling great. My doctor is a wonderful woman. I had no complications at all. She is very caring and willing to help in anyway. I would tell anyone considering this surgery to go to her.

I was very comfortable from the beginning with the entire staff at Dr. Courcoulas' office. There is a support group for her patients which meets once per month.
I was made aware of the risks of the surgery, but also made to feel comfortable and secure about my decision.I am confidant I will be pleased with my aftercare and support I will receive from her.

I liked Dr. Courcoulas. She was very informative, courteous and seemed to have a real understanding of what my needs really were.

I was very impressed with my Dr's patience in answering questions, ability to explain things clearly, and was very through. She wasn't my cheerleader and said to take this decision very seriously and said that she wasnt crazy about the physical reasons for having the surgery. She did take as much time as I needed to answer my questions, and I was happy to have a female doctor.

i really liked her...she was very down to earth and talked to me like a person...and not above my head. she explained the whole procedure and answered my questions. I did not feel rushed or like a "number" with her..I haven't had the surgury yet...but I am very confident in her abilities. I have met other's who have used her...and they have all done very well...with no complications. I have the ut most faith in her. I was impressed with how she was able to get around my insurance company to get them to pay for the surgury. I really thought there would be complications with it...but there wasn't. I got approved after the first attempt.

Her and her staff were great....I did not meet anyone that I did not like

I met with Dr. Courcoulas on August 20, 2001.
Unfortunately, it took almost 3 months to get
just a consultation. She is a very busy
surgeon, but I took that as a good sign. A
friend of mine went to her also, and by
coincidence, was there for a follow-up appt
the same day as mine. She looked great!!!
I did spend a little more time with her nurse,
rather than the doctor, but that didn't bother
me. They made sure that I had all of my
questions answered and gave me a packet of info.
I was also told to start testing right away.
My appointments for the ultrasound, nutritionist,
and sleep study are in September and October 1
so hopefully everything will go well.

I LIKED DR. COURCOULAS RIGHT FROM THE START. SHE WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND STRAIGHT FORWARD BUT COMPASSIONATE AT THE SAME TIME. SHE TOOK TIME TO ANSWER ALL MY QUESTIONS AND MY DAUGHTERS QUESTIONS ALSO. THE OFFICE STAFF AT THE DESK WERE KIND OF IMPERSONAL BUT ONCE I GOT BACK TO THE EXAM ROOM THE NURSES THERE WERE JUST GREAT! FRIENDLY, AND I DIDNT FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT MY WEIGHT ONCE, NOT EVEN WHEN I WAS WEIGHED ON THAT BIG HUGE SCALE. THE ONLY THING I DIDNT LIKE WAS THE LONG WAIT TO GET INTO MY APPOINTMENT AND FOR MY SURGERY DATE, BUT I GUESSED THAT WAS A GOOD THING. I DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT AFTERCARE PROGRAMS YET. EXCEPT THAT I AM LOOKING INTO MY OWN CLOSE TO HOME, BECAUSE I AM 2 1/2 HOURS AWAY FROM PITTSBURGH AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME KIND OF CARE CLOSER TO HOME, BUT FOR A WHILE I WILL BE COMMUTING. I WILL POST MORE AFTER I HAVE SURGERY ABOUT THE SURGEON AND THE HOSPITAL.

when i first saw dr courcoulis, i couldn't beleive she was going to be my surgeon! she is so pretty-and is very knowledgeable and well informed about this surgery. it has been since march (01) that i spoke with her-and my impression of her still has not changed. the office staff seems helpful too. she visited with us that day for about 45 minutes, and explained everything in detail to me and my family. she also addressed the risk of surgery, just like any other surgery you would get. i would give dr courcoulis a high rating so far!