Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC Hospital

I met Dr. Courcoulas at an educational session at Magee Women's Hospital and spoke to her a couple of times before surgery. She has a lot of experience and is very confident and direct. She lays everything out for you so you understand it all.

Most post-op is with her staff as she is very busy. They have all been kind and couteous.

I least liked that I didn't have more contact with her but I understand she is very busy as people from all over come and have the surgery done with her.

They are very thorough about informing you about aftercare. They give you information in a handbook as well as in the hospital orally and in writing. You can call anytime to have questions answered as well. Post-op follow up visits are at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and every 2 months after that for the first year and you get your b-12 shots at those appointments as well.

One other thing I didn't like was when I stated to the pa that I wanted to take adult vitamins and calcium citrate, she seemed resistant because they wanted me on chewables. I explained that I was taking an adult chewable and she was okay with that. Then I asked about chewable calcium citrate and she told me to take caltrate. She insisted it was citrate but it is not. However, they specialize in surgery not vitamins so do your own research there.

Dr.Courcoulas talked about all the risks involved but also went over the percentage of complications they have at that hospital and it is extremely minimal.

Dr. Courcoulas is extremely competent and has a good bedside manner as well. I would highly recommend her as a surgeon.

I had my surgery 1 month ago yesterday and he is a wonderful doctor. Very kind, patient and even has a good sense of humor. I would highly recommend him to anyone who is looking for a surgeon. As for the office staff they were all very kind and helpful. His nurse is very nice, I only met her 1 time because she was away on her honeymoon when I first went to see him.

Only had first appointment. They were extremely busy. I was there 3 hours, but only with someone for about an hour of that. Only spent about 15 minutes with Dr. Courcoulas. There was another doctor who was her assistant who spent most of the time with me.rnrnI still have tons of questions and the process is very confusing; such as what appointments do I need to have first,etc.rnrnShe went over the risks, told me I would never be able to eat red meat or white bread again and that was about it.

Anita is great. She is very kind and educated in her field. I trust her very. I would recommend her to anyone.

I weighed almost 400# and Dr.C is my hero!!My surgery was Nov.1999, I'm down to 220 but still want 30# more off . She was great following me but back then they had no support group that I knew of. Her staff was very supportive and my family too.Iwould rate her a 10 she always had time for me.

When I went to look for a surgeon I researched the doctors in my area that did gastric bypass. As soon as I saw Dr. Hamad, she caught my eye. I noticed right away that she had attended Johns Hopkins University for medical school and had also spent some time at MIT. I knew when I saw that, this was the surgeon for me. I asked around about her from other patients and she got glowing reviews from everyone.rnrnShe was very direct with me when I met her; she looked me in the eyes the entire time while she spoke to me. I never felt like I was being judged about what I weighed. rnrnI was told by the nutritionist and from reading people’s blogs that Dr. Hamad is very strict about not gaining any weight between the initial consultation and the time you have your surgery. This is true, you can’t gain weight or she will cancel your surgery, but… I feel like, you really need to get in control before you have this surgery. You will not succeed if you do not change your life, and the way you eat. So, I do not think this is an extreme thing to ask of the patients. Dr. Hamad is doing it for your own good.rn rnThe morning of my surgery she showed up in the waiting area and I felt calm when I saw her. I knew I had made the right decision, and I was right. Dr. Hamad has given me back my life. I am very thankful to her.

My surgeon was very professional and an excellent choice. She spoke at the information session and I was comfortable with her level of expertise. The office staff was professional and I liked them. I don't think there was anything I didn't like about Dr. Courcoulas. She is the head of the department and I felt secure with her performing my surgery. Her approach pre-surgery may be different from other doctors, for example you just eat lightly the day before and no food or liquid after midnight, versus the week-long fast. I visit her staff now once every 6 weeks and then after 4 months it will be every 3 months for a year. When I asked about surgery risks she told me of them but suggested since I was young and healthy the risk was very low of complications. She said in her hands I would have a 1% chance of a complication. Overall, I would recommend her highly. BOth her surgical competence and bedside manner are excellent, even taking time out to go speak with my husband after the surgery and making him feel comfortable as well. I just wish she were at a hospital I liked better.

When I went to Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC in Pittsburgh to get the ball rolling for the Lap-Band, I didn't have a preference of surgeon. I ended up getting Dr. Courcoulas and I'm very glad! She's very kind and informative and very easy to talk to. My mom got to meet her the day off my procedure and my mom thought the same thing I did - including the fact that she looks way younger in person than in her picture.

So far, I am very pleased with my surgeon although I haven't seen her too much. This service uses residents, on of the downfalls. The office staff has been fantastic. My doctor has her own asistant who handles many of the needs of her patients in an efficent and PROMPT manner. Dr. C did explain all the risks of the surgery. After care is presented preoperatively. I'm only 10 days out so I can't really speak too much to aftercare. I can say that in looking for a surgeon, I looked for a physician with a good surgical history rather than bedside manner. I was lucky that I found a surgeon with both. I would recomend my surgeon to other people in a heartbeat!

LOVE HER!!!!rnShe explained everything so very thoroughly.rnI felt very secure prior to my surgery.rnHer staff was and still is great(post op annual visits)rnAlways willing to answer my questions espeically at the beginning of this new road in my life.