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

I met Dr. Salvino for the first time in 2001 at an informational seminar. Though I wound up NOT having surgery for 2 years (personal decision), I knew when I was ready, I wanted to go back to Dr. Salvino at the WISH Center.

The WISH Center is phenominal in my opinion. I truly believe they are on the cutting edge of gastric bypass surgery. Their rigorous preop program demonstrates their true commitment to, care and concern for, their patients. Having to commit to several lifestyle changes BEFORE surgery was key for me. Their focus on continued AFTERCARE is also very impressive. Patients are required to attend a minimum of 3 follow up sessions at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year post op. In between those sessions, you can also make an appointment ANY TIME to be seen. In addition, monthly support groups offer you the opportunity to network with others at all stages in their WLS journies.

Dr. Salvino takes his job seriously. His directives and explanations are clear. His requirements and expectations are high. But you know what? Why would anyone want anything less? Surgery is SERIOUS business. It's a matter of life and death for many of us.

I am grateful to be involved in the WISH Center under the direction of Dr. Salvino. Things have not been perfect, but I do think their program is a match for me and I recommend the WISH Center program to any and all who are considering gastric bypass surgery.

I was confident about Dr. Salvino as soon as he walked into the room. I had seen his cv and was impressed with his experience. He was very professional on every pre-operative visit I had and he alleviated my worries by allowing me to ask the numerous questions I had written down before my visits. My surgery and recovery went beautifully and I have only praise for Dr. Salvino and his team.

Dr. Salvino was very nice and very professional. The office staff was in general very helpful and caring. The nutritionist was probably the least person I liked. She was not friendly and zero personality. I would definitly refer others to Dr. Salvino. I am very happy with how everything was handled and with my success with WLS. The patients are informed of aftercare/meetings and are on Tuesdays once a month. I could never make it to the meetings because I have school. But they do leave the doors open to anyone who needs some one on one help.

Dr. Salvino was very business like on my first vist and my pre-op visit. He did answer any questions I had. He did his best to make sure I was aware of all the risk of surgery and what my risk are if I stayed overweight.

Confident, competent. Didn't see him day of surgery or after. Saw his colleagues. Busy guy.

I think the program is somewhat too big. I would have liked the overall feeling of the patients to be kept in mind. It is a very busy practice and I felt and feel a little like a number. Being a nurse I know what kind of interaction and care I should receive and am a little dissapointed with my choice.

But in the end you invite a friend to dinner and a good surgeon to surgery!

I met with Doctor Salvino briefly during my initial consultation at the Wish Center in Downer's Grove Illinois. He is the lead surgeon at, and Director of the Wish Center. He seemed to be a no nonsense, all business kind of guy. My meeting with him lasted only about fifteen minutes during which he gave me a two minute exam, including listening to my heart and lungs and checking me for a hernia. It was very dry that day and he shocked me twice when he touched me, apologizing both times. He discussed the procedure with me briefly (I had already seen a power point presentation, read a pamphlet and spoken to three other professionals by that time). He gave me a list of lab work that I needed to have done, explaining each as he gave me the prescription, and made sure that I understood the list of goals that those who had spoken to me before had given me. Like I said, he seemed like a no nonsense kind of guy, and that’s what I wanted; not some joker who’s trying to make me feel at ease. I had some questions for him that I had brought with me, and he answered them all completely. I get a strong sense of confidence from him. That, more than witty banter, puts me at ease.

I have known Dr. Wienke for many years; I used to work with him at Good Samaritan Hospital. Now I am getting to know him from "this" side of the bed! After last weeks informational seminar, I feel much more at ease about this decision that I have made. Both, Dr. Wienke and Jody that ran the seminar and answered questions afterward, were open,honest & forthright. As far as my dilemma about having my second child BEFORE or AFTER the surgery, he agreed that it was a "dilemma"! He did not sway me one way or another, just laid out the fact of having to wait at least 2 yrs. after the surgery to conceive. He said that most woment that come to see him are INfertile due to their obesity. I KNOW that I can conceive (it was my husband that actually had/has the problem!) Anyway, he was very professional, yet made me feel very at ease by ending our conversation with, "Whenever you're ready, come see us, we'll be here for you."

POST INITIAL CONSULT
Dr.Weinke was very straight-forward re: the surgical risks with BOTH procedures. There is a VERY structured after-care program, which I am grateful for.
I will be changing surgeons since Dr. Weinke will not be at the Wish Center when I am having my surgery in May. (See my last entry for details) I will be switching to Dr. Salvino, the director of the Wish Center. I know him from when I was a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, I just haven't met him in relation to my OWN surgery yet. I will have my second appt with him sometime in April. I will update then.
2/26/03:I have a date for my Open distal RNY with Dr. Christopher Salvino. I will meet with him on April 17th. I know Dr. Salvino on a professional basis from when I was an RN at Good Samaritan Hospital and am confident with his expertise.

Straight forward -caring,competent
wish center has a comprehensive program - before and after-
very impressed with size of my scar. Thought it was large until I saw pictures of others that had t
he surgery elsewhere. Mine is much smaller and healing well. I highly recommend the Wish Center in Downers Grove, IL. If I had to chose between surgical competence and bedside manner, competence would win hands down. I am lucky that I had both competence and appropriate caring bedside manner.

Dr. Salvino got right down to business. Very professional very willing to sit and answer any and all questions, no matter how silly I thought they might be. He is very thorough and really cares about his patients. His office is beautiful and very comfortable for overweight patients. All of his staff is very well educated and friendly.

A great doctor, well known head of trauma at local hospital. Very well mannered professional, even enjoyed him more as time went on. The Wish Center office staff is very professional and has employees that have gone through the surgery. Dr Salvino is very caring and is always asking if there are any other questions, you feel easy to talk with him. Aftercare with the Wish Center is big, they offer a variety of different programs. They address all risks of surgery that are there and where they feel you stand at risks. Overall I would rate the Wish Center Staff an A+, with both great bedside and surgical competence. I had the surgery done at Mercy Hospital in Aurora and the staff there was great also.