Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC Hospital

He is a very kind and compassionate Dr. They really educate you and instruct you before the surgery and give you all the bad things as well as the good. The office staff are nice but it is hard to get through on the phone and you really have to keep after them. I called once a week for 2 months to check on if my Insurance would cover the surgery. I was denied, but one of the girls in the office helped me get it approved. They check you at regular intervals and give you a lot of information and are very helpful. A lot of the girls in that office have had the surgery so that helps also. He is a very competent surgeon and I felt very safe and in good hands with him. The only down side was the office staff answering the phone or getting an appointment over the phone. You just have to keep after them.

Dr. Hamad is a fantastic person, not to mention a brilliant surgeon. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Hamad. She and her office staff always took the time to answer any question me or my husband had before, during, and after my surgery. However, these are my own personal feelings generated from my experiece with Dr. Hamad and her staff.

My surgeon is great. I was in Shadyside for 4 days, very little pain (except for a gout flair up in left foot). I feel fine. Her staff always treated me great too. My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner.

Dr. Hamad is very straightforward. She expains the procedure in detail and makes sure you completely understand the potential risks. She was very emphatic about her rule of not gaining any additional weight after your initial consult with her. I haven't had my surgery yet, so I can't speak to the aftercare, however, I will come back as soon as I can with an update.
Now that I have had my surgery, I am even more convinced that Dr. Hamad is just excellent. I had minimal post-op pain and she was very frank about what steps I had to take to make sure that the surgery is a success. She even told me a story about someone who tried to eat solid foods to quickly and ended up back in the hospital with steak stuck in their stoma after only 3 days. I didn't need any more convincing. I'm following her instructions to the letter.
The only constructive comment regarding Dr. Hamad is that she seems less attentive post op (after you have had your initial follow-up with her).

I have only met her 1 time but she seemed to know exactly what she was doing. She answered all my questions and was very adament about what I needed to start doing immediatley to help me on my path to good health and weight loss. I am confident in her as a surgeon.

1/22/05
First impression of Dr. Ramanathan was and is extremely positive. He took time to answer any and all question at the workshop and the support group meeting. Danette has been very helpful and has endured all of my calls and pestering.

Sorry, I hit the wrong button and lost half my post.
Dr. Hamad was a really nice person, very personable with a nice smile and manner, she told me that if she did not think that she could help me she would not operate, and I really appreciated that(needless to say I will not Dr. shop after meeting her.

The doctor was kind, gentle ,non -judgemental and had a great bedside manner.
the office staff was great especially the nurses who always answered my questions with much knowledege whether at the office or over the phone.(Yes they always returned my calls within hours)
Support group meetings are offered though I never attended them due to the distance involved.I heard they are very helpful.
Immediate follow up was great though I think there need to be some type of long term follow up.
I would highly recommend her.

Dr. Ramanathan was very informative and helpful. Once I met with him (my testing had already been completed), I had my surgery within 2 weeks. His entire practice is very well structured.

Dr Ramanathan is a very caring surgeon he ansewred all my questions and more.The more i saw him the better he made me fill.all of his staff are very nice.and willing to help.I feel anyone that gets to meet Dr Ramanathan is in for a wonderful treat.he emphasize a great deal about the aftercare .He has a wonderful structured aftercare program.Dr Ramanathan address the risks of surgery until you completly understand. I rate Dr Ramanathan 100% He has a wonderful surgical and bedside manner.it was a pleasure to meet Dr Ramanathan.