Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC Hospital

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.

I haven't had my initial consult with Dr. Courcoulas yet so can not really offer any information at this time but will revisit this page at a later date to update the information.
*********************************************4/29/02 I just met my surgeon today and she is very nice (she kind of reminds me of the actress Susan St James when she was younger, for those unfamiliar with the actress she played on the sitcom Kate and Allie with Jane Curtain) I thought she was very nice, and she answered all my questions (even though I took a list of questions with me there were some I forgot to ask, but I do feel she covered all the important items in her overview of the surgery). I feel very confident in her as a surgeon, as a matter of fact she told me she does about 1/3 of all the WLS in the area (which is Pittsburgh, Pa) I think thats very impressive and I'm certain she is highly qualified and very skilled at what she does.
Her staff was very friendly and pleasant and helpfull when I had other questions (such as needing directions, etc) Actually I was approximately a half hour late to the appt because I mistakenly went to the Dr's Administrative offices instead of the office where she sees patients, but there was never any criticism or negative comments from anyone in her staff about my lateness.

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.

I met Dr. Coucoulas on 9/13/2001. She seems really competent and interested in her patients. Her staff was pleasant and knowledgeable. As all doctors, I did have to wait past my appointment time to be seen. She has performed over 1300 surgeries. I'd say she has experience.
*******
Surgery was 4/11/2002 at Shadyside hospital in PGH. Dr. C is TOPS!! Brains, skills and personality! I felt in EXCELLENT hands. I did not have to do alot of the pre-op preps that others do - had no tubes anywhere after surgery. I recommend her!

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.

I just had my first appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Giselle Hamad. What an asset to her profession. My first impression of Dr. Hamad was that of dedication, education and compassion. She'd been feeling ill and instead of going home she came in and welcomes both my husband and myself to her office and program. She apologized for being ill and still let me ask every question I had. She is soft spoken and very, very nice. She makes you feel at home. Not only can I say this about her but also her entire staff. Debbie, Katie and Gina are all so supportive. My appointment was scheduled from 3-5 p.m. but I was there until after 6:30 p.m. Each one Dr. Hamad, Katie (nutritionist) and Gina (PA) took atleat 1/2 hour to 1 hour with me on an indivisable basis. I've truly never experienced anything like it. So as first impressions go....This office is wear you want to be!

My surgeon and staff were excellent. We did have a long wait, which I expected after all she is a surgeon.She seems very knowledgable. There wasn't anything I could complain about.She has a very good program and would recommend her to any one considering this surgery.

10/31/01 office called and my consult is 11/28. Dr. Hamad has been doing bariatric surgeries for 8 years according to the woman I spoke with. That is comforting because I thought she was the "new" one.

2/2/02- I met Dr Hamad at my consult in November. She was very kind and I liked her instantly.

3/13/02- Thought I'd mention that Dr. Hamad has the most AWESOME staff. Gina and Debbie are both kind and courteous. If I have a question I call Gina and she answers it immediately. I have heard horror stories of other doctor's staff and I feel very fortunate to be working with this office! Gina and Debbie even came to the hospital room to see me when I was in!

3/25/02- I just want everyone to know about Gina Kozak. She is so wonderful! I called her last Thursday after I had passed out and left a message on Gina's voicemail. She called back early the next day (Friday) and told me I should have paged her. She was already gone for the day when I left the message. We talked for a while and she decided that I was not getting enough calories in. I was to attempt to eat/drink more and get my calorie count up.

Over the weekend she was worried enough about me that she looked up this profile to find my email address (this was her weekend, she did not have to do this!!). She emailed me her home phone number so I could contact her if I continued to have problems. She called early this morning (Monday) to confirm I was feeling better. I cannot stress enough how wonderful this office is. Anyone out there who is looking ibto the surgery - do yourself a favor and meet with Dr. Hamad, Gina, and Debbie. I am sure you will be glad you did.