Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC Hospital

I have not met him as of yet. However the phone staff was very helpful and compassionate. Consult scheduled for May 3rd.

I met Dr. Courcoulas in 3/04 for my first visit to her office. I was struck dumb when I met her-all I can say is gorgeous, she was petite,slim and gorgeous. Needless to say I was a little intimidated. She was compassionate! She made me feel like there was light at the end of the tunnel. She came highly recommended from a friend who had lost 253 lbs. Dr. Coucoulas made me feel very comfortable with all the information reguarding the surgery the side effects and the potential complications. I was given a list of other professionals I needed to see and tests that needed done before the surgery could be done. Six monthes after my initial meeting with Dr. Coucoulas my surgery was scheduled for 9/22.I was admitted to UPMC Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh. Dr. Courcoulas was waiting in the surgical suite, she came over to me, brushed back my long hair and said \"I'm going to take very good care of you\". I knew I was going to be in good hands. I stayed 3 days and managed to have the procedure laparoscopically. I was in no pain, was able to start taking small amts. of fluids while still in the hospital. Dr. Courcoulas changed my life. She gave me a chance to become the real me, and be around for my children and grandchild. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to restart my life, and to Dr. Courcoulas.

Dr. Hamad is 100% professional but has a lovely bedside manner. I loved her. I didn't hire her because we could be b/f but because she is an excellent surgeon. She has my 100% confidence vote. I would recommend her without question. Kathleen

I had a very good impression of my surgeon and would recommend her to anyone traveling to Pittsburgh for WLS. The staff is great and kept me up to date on what pre-op tests I needed, what my insurance status was, even when my surgery date was changed.rnrnI learned a lot about RNY and LAP BAND surgeries during my office visits and all my questions were answered efficiently. If I had to do my lap band again, it would be through Dr. Courcoulas.

She is the Best! She is so thorough, cautious, kind, compassionate, makes sure that you understand everything and so intelligent. She is very confident and strict on following her guidelines because she wants you to have the safest surgery possible. Her staff follows her example and they speak so highly of her too. Another great thing about her which I think is unusual she takes the time with your family to answer all their questions and make sure they understand everything. The only negative thing I can say is, if you do not have any complications after the surgery there really isn't what I would call an aftercare program. They really don't push anything other than a multi-vitamin and an occassional B12 shot. Their belief is if you're not having any problems it's a waste of time and money. Luckily I had found a local group that has done extensive research on vitamins and other supplements that we need and I involved my PCP with this so she is the main one watching over me. But even with the lack of aftercare I still would not have had anyone else do my surgery and prepare me for it! And if down the road I would have any complications or gall bladder problems I will definitely go back to Dr. Courcoulas!

Dr. Hamad is very professional and means business. This is a very big life changing decision and all vital information is laid out in a very detailed format. Gina as well as the rest of her staff were helpful and answered any question I had. Although they provided an abundance of information, it is very important to do you own home work and be prepared. I had surgery 10 days ago and the key is to follow the structured program Dr. Hamad has laid out and keep a positive attitude. As this journey continues I am very confident in Dr. Hamad , myself and her staff to a very successful weight loss. rnrnDr. Hamad thank you sooo much and showing me there is a tool to help in this battle.rnrnAny future patient should consider Dr. Hamad for this bypass surgery......Make an appointment...... Ask questions... Be prepared.... and I am very confident this will be the surgeron you choose.

All I have to say about this....is I have \"NO\" fear of surgery. I have The utmost faith in Dr. Ramanathan. I know he is the best of the best and located in pittsburgh, where half the country travels to for medical attention.... Not to mention he has the most caring smile I have ever seen....asak any of his patients.... they will all say the same thing.

He is soft spoken and draws you a picture of what he intends to do. He also explains all the risks and benefits. He also told me of the risk of gallbladder problems, even though I have gallstones, he is not taking out my gallbladder. I was very comfortable with him. His office staff are not always easy to get on the phone, but they do call you back within a day. The staff are very compassoniate and caring. They have a teaching seminar 2 weeks before your surgery to reinforce what \"you\". the patient need to do to be successful. They encourage questions and participation in every aspect of your care. All risks were discussed. I'm not sure I want to know about all of them. I would rate him a 9 on the care before hand. Although, I only met with him once. You can attend as many informative meetings that you want. I think competency and bedside manner are both needed. If you can't relate to your surgeon, I feel you lose some confidence in the surgeon.

I had my surgery on the 23rd of October of 2006. I had no problems at all and still have not had any I have lost 54lbs in 2 1/2 months from a size 24 to a size 16/14. It is so exciting I can paint my toenails and cross my legs, tie my own shoes and bend over and touch the floor. But most of all my diabetes is gone. I don't take high blood pressure meds anymore either. This journey has been really good so far. My first impression of Dr. Ramanathan was that he was very knowledgeable and very thorough in answering questions. I still think he is a great surgeon. The staff at the Bariatrics department in Magee is the best staff I have ever incountered in a hospital. He has a typical surgeons bedside manner which is just a little short. That he is a wonderful surgeon ans has one of the best if not the best mortality rate of all the ones I looked into. Which at the time of my surgery was 0.rnHe places a lot of emphasis on aftercare and yes they have a good program for aftercare and his PA is wonderful. HE explained the risks and drawbacks thoroughly. I would rate him a 10. Surgical compentence was great and his bedside manner was good. I was more interested in his competence. The nurses were great at the bedside.rn

She was younger than I expected her to be! She was wonderful and answered every question that my husband and I had. Her office staff is wonderful! There wasn't anything that I didn't like about Dr. Courcoulas. She is friendly, caring and takes the time she feels you need her to spend with you. I didn't see Dr. Courcoulas after my surgery and I was alittle disappointed. I also have not seen her at her office since my surgery, but I love her staff. She emphasizes aftercare and she definitely has a structured program, but most of the time you see one of her associates. I would rate her on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being low and 10 being high) as a 9. Both surgrical competence and bedside manner are great.