Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC Hospital

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.

After meeting initially with Dr. Philip Schauer, I was told that they had added Dr. Giselle Hamad (operating out of Magee Women's Hospital) to their office staff. I was also told that my surgery would happen sooner if I would consider having Dr. Hamad as my surgeon. I figured if she was good enough for them to hire, she was good enough for me. What an understatement! She was absolutely wonderful. She is a very kind and patient person. She answered all my questions without once making me feel rushed or anything. She has a very calming personality. My surgery was delayed slightly because she was delivering a speech to medical students. When she arrived, she came to see me first thing. She hadn't even taken off her coat, dropped her briefcase or anything. She apologized for being late, asked if I was ready and if I had any other questions. When I didn't, she assured me that everything would be great, and that she would see me after I woke up. And she did. I was only back in my room for a short time when she came to see how I was doing. She stopped again before she left that day, and I saw her everyday that I was in the hospital. I would recommend her to anyone. She's great!

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.

After initial shock of finding out my surgeon was changed at the last second, I have come to believe that Dr. Hamad is a fine doctor. I have had 0 complications. I also have heard that her office staff (never spoken with them) are very efficient and friendly. Although for my 2 and 6 week checkup I saw Dr. Schauer, I believe I should be seeing Dr. Hamad as she was actually the surgeon. I am going to ask for her for my next appt. which I need to set up in a month or so. I will also say that she came to see me daily during my 3 day stay in the hospital and displayed a very warm and pleasant personality.

As soon as I met Dr. Hamad on my firt visit,
I liked her instantly! She explained things
& talked to me as friends would instead of
like Doctors so often do. I understood every-
thing she told me and if I had a question
she took the time to answer without hurrying.
The office staff are very helpful and friendly but most importantly, very, very patient, after all, I seemed to "bug" them with question after question the first couple of weeks, but they were there to answer all of my questions to the best of their ability. I rate each & every one of them a 10++++++++ Thanks everyone!

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

i haven't met her yet. i met dr.shauer in pitt.because he was the one that was going to do my surgery at first...it got changed but they are all one - i guess. the staff that i met at presby were very nice..it was great because the staff had also had the surgery so that made me feel more comfortable about it.my surgery is nov 6,at magee womens hosp.flowers would be great!!!lol......

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.