Giselle Hamad Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

10/18/2002 Well the 16th was a big day for me. Thanks to this site and all of the information, I am well on the way. I went to my first consult with Dr. Giselle Hamad and was very happy with her. She has a very good no-nonsense approach. First I should start with her staff. I came to my 1:00 appointment at 12:15 (no I wasn't excited about this meeting). When I checked in the the front desk, the immediately started me with filling out more paper work. I finished this worksheet (standard information name, rank and serial number)and then another staff member called me into an office area to review and verify other information that I had sent to them. This took about 15 minutes, then I was taken to another office, where I watched a video about the operation along with other facts. After I watched this video, I met with the nutritionist (Carol) and and we discussed all of the diets that I had been on, and what I should look forward to after surgery. I met with Carol for approximately 45 minutes/1 hour.

Next, I met with Dr. Sung (sp). He is an associate of Dr. Hamad. We met for about 30 minutes, we discussed the surgery and all of the details. He answered a lot of my questions. When he gave me the prescription for the tests that had to be taken (pap, mamogram, stress test, etc) I presented him with results from various Drs. and Labs for tests that I have had in the last 3 months. (Now I only have four things I have to do...ok maybe five. Psych eval, gallblader sonogram, sleep test, colonoscopy, ah the fifth thing...is to wait for the insurance approval. I have the sleep test and the colonoscopy scheduled. I am well on my way.)

Next. I had a test. Yes you read correctly, I had a test. Due to the eduction I received on this site, I got all but one question correct. I did not know that I couldn't take advil, etc after the surgery. Everything else. You all have talked about. So I was prepared. Dr. Hamad brought the test in with her. We again talked about the surgery, what she would do to give me the tool to use for the rest of my life. She explained exactly what she was going to do and how she would do it. We talked about the seriousness of the surgery and she told me this is definitely not the easy way out. I have to say, I was very impressed with her.

The last thing that I was told, is they would mail my letter to the insurance company asap. ( Maybe by Friday ... they feel that it shouldn't take long at the insurance company because of my comorbidities). After all of my tests are complete, they will then schedule surgery.

My first appointment at Dr. Hamad's office was a good experience. I did not wait more than 5 minutes to be seen. After watching a video, meeting with the nutritionist and resident, I met Dr. Hamad. I was impressed by her demeanor. She is quietly confident and straightforward. She has done approximately 275 RNYs. Her leak rate is 1/2% and she has not had one death yet. Of course, she pointed out that she will have a death eventually, it is only a matter of time. Of the 275 procedures, she has only had to convert from lap to "open" two times! She seems very cautious and highly skilled. I will write more once I am post-op.

I think Dr.Hamad is a very caring and competent doctor. I have only the one meeting w/her during my initial visit. She did use the term "DIET" in relate to this surgery. I DO NOT view Major Surgery as a "diet".
Her office staff is slamming..I chose Dr. Hamad because of the office staff. She is not warm and fuzzy, but I don't want that from my surgeon. I want that from the office staff. Gina and Debbie are angels.

I had my first visit with Dr. Hamad on July 10th. I was impressed to say the least. Gina her Physician's Assistant was great. I still live with my parent's and the are against me having the surgery and I told Gina that. She immediately asked her why, and answered all of my Mother's questions to the fullest extent. She also invited her to attend the support meeting that they have too. As far as Dr. Hamad she was outstanding. My Father always said if a Doctor can not look you in the eyes they are not worth going to. Needless to say, she NEVER broke eye contact. She was also very informative. The next day I started setting up my appointments and ran into my first insurance problem. The Psych that I was refered to was not covered by my insurance. I e-mailed Gina about this and she not only gave me the name of someone else (who was covered), but she also set up an appointment for me at the same time with the Psych. It must of been fate because this Psych was booked until the end of Sept. and while I was e-mailing Gina she had just got a cancel for Aug. 14th.

I was pleasantly surprised to get an appointment so soon with her. Her office contacted me in early July for an appt on July 31. My husband accompanied me to the appt. They were very on time, no long waits between each of the consults. They had a video and consults with a nutritionist and PA and then the doctor. They handed me a laundry list of all pre-op testing that I have scheduled over the next 4 weeks or so. Her PA, Gina, contacted me via email to move my psych evaluation up 2 weeks when she got a cancellation, but because of a conflict, I couldn't take advantage of it.
They emphasized the risks of this surgery and Dr. Hamid told me that if she felt that because she felt I might receive better care/treatment because my health problems, she would refer me to another surgeon in the practice and another hospital to handle these increased risks - nothing personal. I don't think have any increased risks or she would have gone into these in more detail. We will see after all the testing is done.
She did state that it was good that I had such family support that took an active interest in this surgery.
I will post again after all my pre-op testing is done.

I am so excited to have Dr Hamad be my surgeon. She is so formative and understanding of your needs. She is easy to understand as well. Her staff, Debbie, Gina and Karen are exceptional. Everytime I call in there, they know exactly who I am and what all I need. They don't have to stumble around to find my charts. They have been so helpful with all my questions as well. I love going to the support group meetings every month, even though I live 1 1/2 hrs away!! I wouldn't miss them.

I don't know for sure if I will be having the surgery. I'm waiting on approval. I was impressed that I actually had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Hamad herself in the initial consult. She was very nice - straightforward and honest, 2 things that are very important when considering a major surgery such as this. Her MA, Debbie, and PA-C, Gina are both as nice and as informative as can be. So far, I am having a very good experience.

When I first arrived, I watched a video prepared by Dr. Hamad and her staff about the surgery - it was nothing new to me, though, I did a lot of research going in. The risks are stressed in the video so that people know this isn't just a simple procedure. They stress the importance of the diet that is necessary and the fact that you need to follow up for the rest of your life, in addition to taking many vitaminm and mineral supplements for the rest of your life.

Also met with the nutritionist at the initial visit, so that was one less thing I had to schedule. Then met with the PA=C, Gina to go over my medical history, vital, etc. She gave me a script for all of the tests I need to have done before I'm considered for surgery. Have all of my appointments set for August.

Will update more as I progress....

Dr. Hamad is a very warm, confidant doctor.
Her confidance erased any fears I had about WLS.
Her office staff is very pleasant and helpful
in every way.I was very impressed with the whole
team.

Dr. Hamad will be performing my lap RNY on may 6, 2002. When I first contacted UPMC's Weight Loss Center about looking ino WLS, a friend of mine recommended Dr. Hamad. The friend had her surgery performed by Dr. Schauer but she had also met Dr. Hamad while she was working under Dr. Schauer. My friend recommended Dr. Hamad because she had a much shorter waiting list and because she was so pleasant and sweet. I'm really pleased that I have Dr. Hamad as a surgeon. I only met with her for about 15 minutes at my first appointment, but I spent plenty of time with her office staff. They seem to be very concerned about their patients and they are extremely good at what they do. My insurance (UPMC) approved my surgery within two hours of submission. And this was after I was told to expect a fight from the insurance company.

I've also been impressed with how quickly everything is going. I had my first appointment with Dr. Hamad on March 21, 2002. My insurance approved the surgery on April 5 and my surgery is scheduled May 6. I wasn't even expecting to have the surgery scheduled until late summer, so May 6 was a very pleasant surprise.

Yet another thing I like about going with Dr. Hamad is that my surgery will be performed at Magee Women's Hospital. There's something about being under the care of a team of people who only deal with women that is very comforting to me.

So far, I would recommend Dr. Hamad in a heartbeat to anyone who is looking into this surgery.

Dr. Hamad and her staff are very nice. They are very thorough and thats is good for the patient. I like the fact that you get all your testing done and within 30 days you have a surgery date permitting everything is okay with the tests. Both her and her assitant explained the surgery and the risk, However I had already been on the website and watch the surgery be performed.

I wanted to tell everyone how supportive Dr. Hamad and her entire staff are. She is extremely a personable person. She really looks after her patients and their best interest. She will not just dive in, she takes extreme precaustions like driving as she would say on a rainy day or a summer day. Gina and Debbie are extremely helpful and knowledgeable about everything. They really know it all and if they don't they find out and call you back. I truly love this office. And God Bless them for the generousity and caring talent to help people.