"Dr. Courcoulas was sympathic and listened to me talk about my stuggle with my weight.
The office staff was and is friendly and very helpful.
The only complaint I have is that I felt a litte rushed. We meet for 30 minutes and I was given a ton of information in that one visit I had with her.
Other patients should know that anytime you have a question or concern your case manager is their to call.
Once you leave her office your given a folder of information with instruction about seeing a nutritionist and test you must have which Dr. Courcoulas had gone over with you in her 30 minute visit.
Aftercare is stressed and you are encouraged to attend the support group even before surgery.
Dr. Courcoulas is very careful to explain even the most remote complication that may cause a problem during surgery and the problems that can happen after surgery.
I would rate Dr. Courcoulas and her staff on a scale of 1-10 a 9.
I feel surgical competence is a most and a pleasant bedside manner is very welcome.
5-11-01
I want to update people on Dr. Courcoulas I had my open rny 11 weeks and 2 days ago. The Aftercare at her office is not good at all. She is very good at selling the surgery (which we all want anyway) but if you need any help after that you are on you own. Thank goodness for this website and the beautiful people who are members. Once I came home from the hospital I called the office 3 or 4 times and got Vickie the nurse who was not very helpful. I seen Dr. Courcoulas for a two week visit to have my staples removed and than again on April 12, 2001 for my return to work visit and I will see her again in June. She her self is very nice but needs to put in place a system to help her patients after they come home and are depressed and lonely. She offers no type of pyschological testing before or after surgery. I think everyone needs to be called at home to make sure you are okay at least every other day for the first two weeks. Then once a week for a month or so. This surgery alters you for life and you need to have some kind of counseling to deal with all the changes you have to make. I know there is a support group that meets once a month-that is not enough. I wish Dr. Courcoulas would have had this surgery herself because then she could see that you need to have professional people help you deal with the loss you after wls surgery. Once you have this surgery it is like you have a death-everything you had to comfort you food wise is gone and you need guidance to help get you safely to the other side way of thinking. I still would recommend her for the surgery but she needs to provide more support for her patients. I also think pyschological evalutions should be mandatory. It would be a good ideal if former patients were used to check on new post ops. I am available in the evening to talk with people and answer questions or just chat. Anyone going to use her as your surgeon ask what kind of support she offers after you are home and if she is still using Vickie the nurse tell you heard all about it and what other support systems does she have in place.
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