Christopher Salvino Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

My surgeon is Dr. Christopher Solvino at the WISH Center in Downers Grove, IL. My first impression of him was he's a very soft-spoken man. But so easy to talk to. He tells you everything just like it is. No guessing with him, which is great.

Everyone at the WISH Center was wonderful! They made it very easy to relax and open up with them. The whole staff, which includes the psychiatrist, dietician, exercise physiologist, nurses, billing personnel, were all excellent.

The WISH Center puts a tremendous amount of their focus on aftercare. They have computer-based training that you must go through before surgery and a great support program for after surgery. They put you on a practice diet before-hand so you know what you'll be dealing with afterwards. The dietician and exercise physiologist follow-up with you on a regular basis to see how things are going and if there is anything they can do to help.

The risks of surgery were addressed numerous times: in the seminar (on-line and live), in the computer-based training modules and they were discussed with the surgeon on numerous occasions. He laid everything out for me so there was nothing hidden from me.

I would recommend the WISH Center to anyone. They are a wonderful group of people. Many of them have had the surgery themselves. I have had an incredible experience with them.

Dear Wish Center:|
I have read through the Wish Center website and the list of Surgeons available and one stuck out above the rest.
I would like to meet with Dr. Christopher K. Salvino, at the Wish Center location in Downers Grove, Illinois, and if agreeable, I would prefer Dr. Salvino to perform my surgery.
Could you please advisde me of the next step?
I did schedule to attend the seminar offered on June 29, 2005, at 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Wish Center in Downers Grove. My cell # is 708-717-968, and I would like to do this as soon as possible. I do have excellent medical insurance and this procedure is covered, as I already inquired.
Thank You so Much...
Look Forward to Hearing From You,
Marianne Romito
mromito@comcast.net

He seemed really nice, and confident that the Surgery will work. I've only met with him once, but he gained my trust in that meeting. The Wish Center's program seems very comprehensive and the staff is willing to answer all questions. They set you up so that you are ready to take on the surgery and are prepared for the aftercare.

I originally started with one of his associates in Tempe Arizona and thought that he seemed competent and confident, but due to a pulmonary issue I was referred to Dr. Salvino because he is the founder, head surgeon and CEO of the Wish Center. I was put through some extensive tests and guidlines before he would even consider doing my surgery even though I had been cleared for surgery in Jan 2004. I was already screened and pre-oped prior to meeting the new Dr. He is thorough and does not miss a beat and I feel fortunate for having my change of life surgery performed by him. He is very serious about his patients his work and the success of the program in general. Office staff in the home office in Illinois is more organized than that in my home state I am not sure if they get their wires crossed or if lack of training is the case with them but it was the most frustrating aspect of this process and the mandatory trip I had to take which I myself had to pay for was a bit over the top and probably not enirely necessary. I feel that the home office staff tends to be abit lost on occassion, but they really try to look out for the patients best interest. I think the thing I liked best about him was his confidence and his sense of humor even though it is a bit dry. Before I met him I was not sure I was going to find him down to earth and I thought he might be pompous, but that is not the case at all. Future patients should know that he follows ALL THE RULES to a tee. He is not dissolusioned in the least he knows that his patiens are going to try a carbonated beverage at least once to see what its like and that you are still an obese person in a shrinking body.
The aftercare program is an in depth one that I find will be helpful although it is a mandatory group that you are required to pay almost $2000.00 for whether you use it or not. I am sure it will be benificial but to make it mandatory I think is a bit difficult for those of us who do not earn much money. The risks of surgery are addressed in depth numerous times and the program that I am with has a set amount or rules that must be adhered to, such as leg compression tubes on your calves to help prevent blood clots, walking at least 10 times a day while in the hospital, heperin injections for 2 weeks after surgery and the use of an incentive spirometer make the safeness of this group shine above many others. I would rate Dr. Salvino and the Wish Center in general the best route to take for this procedure. He is probably more adept at the surgical competence but he is capable of both, you just have to know how to go about accessing it.

Dr. Alperovich was my surgeon, but that lists me under the Wish Center in Washington State. He was great, sensitive and caring!

My first impression of Dr. Salvino was that he was very tall and very quiet. He was very personable toward me. The office and staff was very informed of everything. no matter what I asked there was an answer. I would suggest going through the Wish Center to anyone thinking about the weight loss surgery. The staff was wonderful. The aftercare program is wonderful and the precare program great. It really made me realize that this was going to work, if I work with it. I would rate this program excellent. Everything was great in my opinion.

The first time I met Dr. Salvino was at The Wish Center Seminar & I was surprised to see a doctor at the seminar.....so, this was a good thing to see. At my first appointment I met with Dr. Salvino's staff & Dr. Salvino. The entire visit was excellent. His staff is very pleasant as is Dr. Salvino. My impression of Dr. Salvino has not waivered at all since I met him.....however the surgery is still yet to come. In my opinion The Wish Center is the only place I would have surgery through. Dr. Salvino & his staff have put together a very sturctured aftercare plan & is stressed very much on following the aftercare program. The Wish Center goes into great detail of many possible risks. So far Dr. Salvino's surgical competence & "bedside manner" are both terrific. I'm sorry I can't find one single negative thing to say about The Wish Center. They give you very detailed information on the surgery.

10-13-03 My large stoma was confirmed by an upper GI the pouch immediately empties. This happens in 1 out of 100 patients I wish I had been warned I would have found a surgeon who used the silastic ring at initial surgery I also wish the Wish Center would have cared enough to order the tests I requested to confirm this condition. Instead they made me feel like it was my fault even though it is a mechanical failure. I reported the problem of not having restrictions four times to only be told keep your meals to 7 bites and you'll lose weight. Duh! I didn't need a surgery for that to be true. 10-19-02 Fired him this week need a better DR. for follow up care. See profile for details. My opinion is he's good unless you have something go wrong.****pre surgery comments follow***Knowledgable, rofessional, super achiever. High expectations of patients. He explains everything thoroughly. He makes sure you can follow through with proper nutrition, vitamins and exercise before he approves you for surgery. You see many specialists your first two visits for evaluation and making sure you followed through on the goals given to you on the first visit. I feel very confident with the surgery because he explains everything in great detail and answers all questions. He explains why he performs the procedure the way he does and you quickly come to understand that he doesn't do everything the quickest way. He does it the best and safest way. He's businesslike rather than friendly but that's fine with me I want an excellent surgeon not a new friend.

Dr. Salvino has awesome credentials. He was extremely professional and I consider myself fortunate to have chosen such a comprehensive program. I met with a psychologist, physiologist, dietitian and the surgeon on my first appointment as well as having a lot of tests. Dr. Salvino is the Director of the WISH Center and covers every base. He addressed the risks of surgery completely. I was also given at book from the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons which covers the risks in point blank manor. <p>

They put together a package and sent to my insurance company which approved it in about 5 weeks on the first contact. Although I have doubts about how much they will cover and how much I will owe, they at least gave quick approval.<p>

I now have a surgery date for August 4th and my pre-op appointment is July 10th. <p>

The WISH Center has a wonderful liaison program and your assigned liaison will stay in contact with you constantly during your practice period to make sure you're doing ok and don't have any questions.<p>

They also have a fantastic support group which meets monthly. If it's too far of a drive the support group is also online. The meetings really get you fired up as well as provide additional education on how to make the best of your surgery. I have only attended one meeting to date but it was great! There were about 50 people in the room and someone added their weight loss. It was a staggering 4768 pounds lost to surgery!<p>

The entire staff at the WISH Center is friendly and extremely helpful.

My first meeting with Dr. Chris was positive. He was very informative and full of information. He has a terrific staff who treat you with respect and understanding and they take their time to be sure that you understand what life changes you have to do. Being that this was my first meeting and such I really can't judge him yet.