Richard Wienke Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

Ny first impression of Dr. wienkie was wounderful and loving. he truly cares about his patients and understands how they feel. He belives in the surgery and most of all he believes in the success of the surgery. He was very compitant and explained fully what was going to happen to me and what I was going to go through. He fully explained to me about the risks and ws blunt but caring and had wonderful bedside manner. Most of all he listend to my concerns and put them to rest! He not only is a wonderful surgeon but a wonderful person and he shows that to his patients! My immpression of Dr. wienkie has only grown stronger over time!
The wish center staff in Renton washington are wonderful. I have yet to have a problem that they would ont help me with. Jeanne the nurse was wonderful she is so caring and friendly. I felt comfortable talking with her about anything and had complete faith that she know what she is doing. She is very intellagent and knowledgable both with the surgery and common health problems which made it that much easier to know my health was being cared for.
Everyone there was so wonderful including Stacy the receptionist. She was so willing to help me and get me in as soon as possiable and they let me come in every 2 weeks for a weigh in and never made me feel like I was inconveincing anyone. Thanks Guys!
The only thing I had a little problem with was the nurses at the Hospital. I had my surgery in the first week of it opening and I don't think they fully understoof how to take care of gastric bypass surgery patients. As far as needing to help in the rest room or how many people it would take to help a 535 woman out of a bed ;-) but from what I hear over the past 7 months they have greatly improved!
The wish center has they best after care. I looked into other places and know one incouraged or said you needed to come in at 2 weeks and 3 months and so on. They have monthly support meetings you can attend and like I said there phone line is always open!

I thought that he was a really nice and caring man!
I think that he and I bonded and I know that I was going to be just fine after the surgery! I was very scared but I knew that this surgery must happen and that if it did I surely wanted Dr. Wienke to do it!
The Staff wasn't very helpful! the office had just been open and most of the staff were new and really didn't know what they were doing! But Dr. Wienke has been doing the surgery for years and just moved to Oregon to open the new office! He did tell me that I would loss 100 lbs in 3 months! And that still hasn't happened and I'm 5 1/2 months out!
I think that he was great and I would tell people only good things about him after all he did save my life!
Ok the aftercare program through the Wish Center SUCKS!! I have had to call them and call them with questions and I never get a straight answer! I think that they NEED alot of help with the aftercare program!
Dr. W told me of all the risks that were involved but, aslo know of the risks that
I have of being obese!
I would give the Doctor a 9!
I think that he did a great job with the surgery and his bedside manner was great too!

Dr. Wienke was just great. Made me feel comfortable from the first time I met him and I felt he would be there if I needed any advice. Did a really wonderful job on my surgery and was just all around a really friendly person.

I thought Dr Wienke was GREAT!!! His office staff was extremely friendly and very hhelpful. Every person in his office made me feel at ease and I have heard from them every week so far to see how I am doing and how my practice diet is going. He was very firm about the fact that if I did not comply with the pre requirments they would postpone or cancel my surgery. His office offers a structured aftercare, and that made me feel even more at ease.I so far would rate him very very high, howevery i can't rate until after the surgery. I think both bedside manner and surgical competence is very important. So far I started with another group and was NOT IMPRESSED but since I switched to the wish center I have had ALL MY DREAMS COME TRUE.

I was immediatly impressed, and he was not the only surgeon I interviewed. He seemed like he was not only capable, but also had finesse. My impression has not changed.
6/7/03
Dr. Wienke is now working at one of the new Wish Centers now. My surgery date was 1/19/03. As of today(6/7/03)I have lost 109 lbs. I rode my recumbent bike 69 miles on Memorial Day, (Both ways on the Kal-Haven Trail in MI)and have never been happier. I have never experienced "dumping syndrome" and have only had problems recently with some gas pressure occasionally. The Wish Center staff was excellant and my hospital experience was the best that I have ever had. (I have had MANY to compare to.) I am extremely grateful for Dr. Wienkes' skill, that has made the healing process and adjustment comparatively easy, and for the program and staff at the Wish Center that has made me a student of nutrition and exercise for life.

First Impression was given at my intital assessment, I felt like he was rushed and didn't have time to talk to myself or my mother who was with me. We sat for over an hour and a half waiting for him to finish my paperwork so we could leave. He had taken my chart into a meeting and didn't realize it. A nurse who saw we were waiting a LONG time went in search of him to get us out of there...what was to be an 4 hr appt turned into 6 hours. I will see how it goes at my pre-op appt.
Staff were friendly and nice and very thorough in explanation except for billing clerk who came in after I had seen everyone but Dr. Wieneke and told me there wasn't any point in being there because my insurance never covers. Wish I had seen her first then I wouldn't have had over $800.00 in bills not covered right?

First impression: honest, experienced,no-frills.

Changed impression: highly-skilled, up to date, very experienced, honest, still no-frills...but that's ok!

Office: very clean, well maintained, new, modern.

Staff: comprehensive - dietition, exercise phys., psychologist, billing, scheduling, nurses, and surgeon...all of which I've met with for each appt. All are honest, supportive, and have the goal of getting the best possible result...which sounds great to me.

Like least: nothing so far.

Future patients: he won't sell it to you...so if you are not sure what you want he's not going to tell you anything but the cold hard facts. This is a decision YOU have to make.

emphasize aftercare: The aftercare appts are already part of the cost of the surgery. That should give you a pretty good idea. The information regarding patient responsibility is up front from day one...aftercare is equally as important as pre-op testing and surgery.

aftercare program: yes, structured

risks of surgery: very honest, very straight forward.

rate him: couldn't ask for more

which is better?: I'll know more after January 6

I was not sure about going to this seminar at the Wish Center in Downer's Grove, but I am so glad that I did. I met Dr. Wienke and he is wonderful. A busy man, but took the time to let me ask just one more question. I appreciated that so so much. I do hope he will be the one doing my surgery.

9/13/02
I had my consultation with him, did most of my testing and I am so confident I have made the right choice. He's great!

9/23/02
Although I really like Dr. Wienke and I appreciate all the patience that Therese at the Wish Center has had with me, I am in the Customer Service business and I don't like not being called back by some of the staff. I have to be a pain to get results, but hey, I will do what I have to do.

10/28/02
Well the Hubby got to meet Dr. Wienke today and he liked him alot too. I think he felt much better after talking to all of the staff at the Wish Center. My husband did say that he felt Dr. Wienke was confident and he felt better about the procedure after our meeting. Yahoo, I love that Dr. Wienke!!

My husband and I liked Dr. Wienke right off the bat. He was very upbeat and answered all of my questions regardless how many I asked. He never made us feel rushed. Everyone at The Wish Center was freindly and helpful. I feel as though they truly care and not once was I embarrased to ask a question.

The Wish Center is whole program. From changing your habits prior to surgery to make sure that you will be able to conform to the new lifestyle to post op follow up. It is very important to deal with the emotional and physical changes after surgery.

So far, I am satisfied with the care and concern of Dr. Wienke. He has been complete, honest and open about his approach to the surgery and my success afterward. I think that we have been able to connect with each other which has made the process easier. He seems to truly appreciate our prayers that God will guide both his mind and hand. It makes the process a little easier when it appears that your surgeon has taken a personal interest in your case.