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

The WISH CENTER and Dr. Salvino in Downers Grove,Il. is definately very well qualified for this surgery. I am very happy with the information and with all the professionals involved in the program. Dr. Salvino himself is confident,personable and very concerned about his patients. The program goals and follow ups show that they are concerned with the whole long term outlook not just another check. I am awaiting app. by my ins. co. at this time but am working toward the program goals and looking forward to a healthy future.

My husband and I were very impressed with Dr. Salvino at my pre-op appointment. He is very thorough in explaining the surgery while warning of any and all possible risks/complications.<p> Dr. Salvino, as the Director of the WISH Center, has pulled together what seems to be the most comprehensive program in the Chicagoland area. You are able to meet with a Nutritionist, Psychologist, Exercise Physiologist, Nurse and Surgeon all within the same appointment. I have read that alot of other programs will refer you to these professionals and you have to make individual appointments which to me would be quite an inconvenience. <p> It is also very impressive that all the Dr's at the WISH Center are trauma surgeons who handle all trauma cases that come into the ER. This means that one of the surgeons is available at the hospital 24 hours a day. If you suffer from a complication anytime after your surgery, one of the WISH Center bariatric surgeons will be able to check you out in the ER. <p>

As a pre-op, I would rate Dr. Salvino and all the staff at the WISH center a 9+. After my surgery on Jan 28 02, I will update on my hospital experience and Dr. Salvino's bedside manner.<p>

UPDATE - February 7, 2002
I went in for my 10 day post-op appointment and met with the nutritionist, the exercise physiologist and the surgeon. I was scheduled to see Dr. Salvino to have my staples removed but I guess he wasn't available so I saw Dr. Alperovich instead. My staples were removed by the nurse who applied the steri-strips afterwards. I had hoped to report on Dr. Salvino's bedside manner in this update but the truth is I haven't seen Dr. Salvino since my pre-op appointment. I am told he did my surgery but I didn't see him in the operating room, during my hospital stay or at my post-op appointment. I am not complaining, I just wish I would have had a chance to develop a little rapport with the surgeon who performed such a life altering surgery for me. I can say that the staff at the WISH center has been terrific and I am glad that I chose the center for my surgery. I really feel that I had a terrific hospital/surgery experience and my recovery has been pain-free and uneventful! I would definitely recommend the WISH Center and Good Samaritan Hospital to anyone who is considering this surgery.

I just saw Dr. Salvino at the Wish Center. I thought a lot of him. His staff is very nice and they don't make you feel like asking questions is dumb. He really emphasized the after care and that they wouldn't do the surgery in less all your goals were complete. At our next session we will be going over all the risks. I have to bring my support person with so that we both understand the risks with having the surgery and with not having it.

8/25/01 - Researching surgery. Gathering up my family medical history, my weight history and looking at the options in Gastric Bypass Surgery.

10/1/01 - Had an appointment with my Primary Care Physican. Received a referal for Dr. Salvino.

11/6/01 - First pre-op meeting today at The Wish Center in Downers Grove, IL.

11/10/01 - I am still awaiting approval from Blue Cross/Blue Sheild, when approved Dr. Salvino will be my surgeon.

11/17/01 - APPROVED

Jan 2002 - Lap performed. Dr. Salvino was great!

I first went to the Wish Center Seminar, he was very thorough with his presentation. Then at the first appt. I saw his entire staff. It was a long appt. but I liked everyone. Dr. Salvino is very professional and has high expexctations of his patients. He expects all of your goals to be met before your next appt.

He and his staff were the best. The first visit lasts
over 4 hours, seeing each of the individual staff members
and talking about the surgery. They sent the letters to my
insurance company, took care to make sure that the insurance
company knew that this could save them money in the long run
since I am a diabetic also and losing weight would help me.

I was also given goals to accomplish within the next three months.

The second visit was almost as long, and that is where we set up
the surgery date.

The surgery went well and I was home within three days.
The clinic called me each day to find out how I was doing.

I had the greatest of care and would recommend him to all
that are in need.

I met Dr. Salvino at a seminar sponsored by him and his staff. I found him by dialing the phone number listed on the TV add by Carnie Wilson. Having been to a previous Dr.'s seminar I was able to compare the two. I found Dr. Salvino's program to be far superior to the other program. He provided a great deal of information that was new to me. He welcomed all questions and answered them in an honest and forthright manner. I was able to speak to him after the seminar and found him to be friendly and caring with a great sense of humor. At my first office visit, I met with him, two of his nurses, a clinical psychologist, nutritionist, exercise physiologist, and finance person. They were all kind, caring and helpful, with a no nonsense attitude and a willingness to help me in any way they could.They developed a plan of action for me to achieve specific goals prior to my next visit. If I meet those goals to their satisfaction, They will proceed to the next step of scheduling surgery.There is also an extensive aftercare program and a support group available for me to contact before, during and after surgery.

He is very professional and knowledgeable-he seemed very competent and someone quite capable of handling any situation.

No, so far my impression of him has not changed.

The office staff is very friendly and they are also knowledgeable.

I cannot say I disliked anything about him.

Doctor Salvino demands you maintain a health diet and seek medical attention for frequent follow ups.

They do have a structure aftercare program in which the fees are covered in the surgical down payment of your pre op visit.

I still have my pre op appointment, but he did inform me that there are risks to the surgery and that they will be covered on my pre op visit.

I would rate him a definite 10 (best).

I think both are great-surgical competence most important.

I was impressed with Dr.Salvino, when he walked into the seminar back in April 2001. He had just come off a surgery, so we had to wait a while to get started. We got to meet 2 women that had the surgery. This was the first moment I knew I wanted this for myself. The one guest had, had the surger nearly 2 years prior. I have never seen someone look so good after losing a lot of weight. Usually you can tell. This woman looked like she had been thin all her life. Lucky her. I was able to understand everything Dr.Salvino had to say. He explained in english, clear and few big words. With the first office visit, I got to meet the team. At first I thought they were all nice enough but wondered if it was all needed or was it just for show. I spent a few hours with these people and what they had to say was inportant and I lisened and I took it in and evaluated it. On the second visit I was required to bring along my wife, my support system at home. She was amazed at all there was to learn. We saw each member of the team again, some of them a few times. I am not going into details about the visit. That is part of the experience. If you are looking to change your life for the better and for good! This is the place. I already feel better then I ever thought I could. The diet and exercise program is easy to follow, the (Stop Smoking) 30 days before the surgery, was not! But I did it which I never thought I would be able to do. So they have already help and contributed to saving and extending my life. My wife said talking to the psyciatrist is the hard part. But my wife has it easy. She will be having this done after I have had a chance to heal, so she gets to see what it is all about prior to her own surgery. The entire staff at Dr.Salvino's office was great. One nurse I met on the last visit, I had only spoken too on the phone,and she knew who I was by my voice. Now that is personal attention. Do what they say. They mean it. Diet, exercise, eat right, keep track. I got lazy on the keeping track and it almost cost me my surgery date. They are not playing around. Everything involved is designed to make this as smooth and as problem free as possible. You must contribute by following orders from the entire team. The Dietition is no less important on the team then the Dr. Getting a little nervous as the day approaches. 5 days left. "That" I have been told is normal. Thats what I am shooting for here. Normal what ever that is, i know that it is not being 5'6" and 290lbs and climbing. So this is the way for me. No proceedure is perfect, no Dr. is flawless, Salvino, explains all the things that can go wrong, and doesn't sugar coat them in the least. Seemed pretty forward regarding his success rate. It's real good so I guess he wouldn't mind sharing that info. But, that is why I filled out the Advance Directives (Living Will) and the Druable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, leaving my wife in control of my body should anything go wrong. If we are considering this surgery, then we are adults who know the score. Anything can happen. We love our family's and must be prepared. I know it will all go well and this trip I am taking will be long and will require my complete attention. I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I Look forward to adding to this with info about how well it all went and how much weight I am losing. And how great I feel. DanB

My first impression of Dr. Salvino was that he was a highly educated man. He knew his "stuff" and was a no-nonsense guy also. He also is a trauma surgeon. So, that is very comforting to know. He was very straight forward about what to expect, what was the #1 reason for having surgery, and that he is going to have the easy part....doing the surgery. I, ultimately, have the hard part. Keeping up with my end of the deal with proper diet and exercise. I attended the free seminar at the Wish Center at Good Sam. It is a 3 hour drive from where I live. Then, I scheduled the first consultation visit with him. You have to pay $500 at this visit. They will give you the completed insurance forms for you to mail off for possible reinbursement from your insurance company at this visit. The rest, they will file for you. His office staff were also professionals with wonderful personalities. They treated me like I was somebody special! :) I can not say that there was one negative thing about my experience with any of them. Even when I had to give myself the injection of saline! :) He emphasizes aftercare a lot. Like he said..he has the easy part. It is still up to me to do my end of the "deal." I left there with a list of goals that I need to accomplish. He said that he also has the right to not do my surgery. He will see how I do in this 6 week period before my next appointment. We have submitted my insurance and we are waiting on an answer from them. I would rate him a "10." He is great with his description of what he will be doing to me, what is expected of me, and what I can expect. Good and bad. I was very pleased with him. Also, the hospital/clinic was very easy to get around. The people at the lab were also very kind to me also. Just a good, positive experience all around.