Dr Christian Schwindack - Neurosurgeon

Was referred to him at Goldcoast University Hospital for a disc issue. Mostly interacted with his team and they are excellent. Felt very heard, understood and appropriately diagnosed and treated. Had my options explained well, and chose to undergo a surgery that the Dr Schwindack explained to me very well.
Woke up post op feeling much better, walking within 3 hours after being unable to for 3 months, no complications, quality of life improved. Had a positive experience and I am very grateful.
Of course, everyone’s experience and circumstances will vary. But I had good outcomes in my situation.

I am a very active 40 year old (exercising daily) and had a herniated disc mid way through 2021 in the L5/S1 giving me severe sciatic pain in my right leg. I couldn’t sit, stand and was getting woken up night from the pain. After 4 months of agony throughout 2021 I was referred by my GP to Dr Chris Schwindack. I had the nerve blocking injection into the area which only provided mild relief for 2 weeks. I was very hesitant at going down the surgical route but after throwing everything at it from a rehabilitation perspective I decided to undergo a Lumbar Microdiscectomy. Dr Chris is a straight shooter who calls it like it is. Made me aware fo the risks but reassured me this was the best path forward. The surgery was a raging success and was walking again down the hospital hallway within 3 hours post operation. Fast forward 8 weeks and I am running, exercising in the gym and the pain is mostly gone. I was provided great post operation follow up from Dr Chris & Chelsea and they were accessible for any questions or concerns I had along the way.
Back pain really sucks. If you need to do the surgical option, Dr Chris is the man for the job!

What a team! Can’t praise Dr Schwindack and his team enough.
My surgery was all guided and explained to a T. My anxiety was acknowledged and assurances were abundant. At no time did I feel unsafe or left out of the loop.
Mine wasn’t an easy operation on c4-5 due to the damage done but I came out the other side with minimal discomfort,other than a catheter!!
Master of his craft no doubt!
Your in safe hands if you choose Dr Schwindack.

A special thank you to the staff member Chelsea. After having my surgery canceled by Gold Coast Hospital 3 times and transferred to the private hospital by mistake, Chelsea has been very helpful and understanding and trying to assist in the matter despite being being very restricted to what she can do given the large gap between the public and private system. Chelsea your efforts and and caring and professionalism in this matter have made this very emotionally draining situation a lot easier to handle.

10/10 Staff Member.

I am currently just shy of 1 week following a complex surgery to remove brain tumour. I feel my recovery has been going really well and I put this down to the amazing surgical abilities and experience of Dr Schwindack. He was clear from the onset regarding my condition and what he felt was the best approach from there. My family and I can't thank him enough for what is shaping up to be a great surgical outcome. Cheers Doc.

To say that Dr Chris Schwindack gave me my life back is an understatement.

I am 41 years old and am usually very active, happy and healthy. But with a herniated disc placing constant pressure on my sciatic nerve, the past months were harrowing. The pain was so excruciating and I tried all sorts of natural therapies to try and ‘fix’ it. But it kept getting worse, no matter what I tried, so my doctor recommended me to see Dr Chris Schwindack.

At the initial appointment Dr Schwindack was incredibly helpful and straightforward. He presented me with my options and I felt very comfortable in trusting his professional opinion. I don’t like things to be sugar-coated, especially when it’s something so serious as a potential life-long debilitating issue, and I’m forever grateful for Dr Schwindack’s professional manner. He also warmly welcomed my husband in to the consultation which was a huge relief for me, so that I didn’t have to try and remember everything he said, to then recall to my husband afterwards.

At every step of the surgery (pre, during and post lumbar discectomy) Dr Schwindack was amazing. Handing over my body, my health, and my future to a complete stranger is not a ‘little thing’ for me. It’s a huge test of faith and I could’t have hoped for a better experience than what Dr Schwindack gave to me. And let’s face it … whilst it was me who was going in for surgery, it was also incredibly stressful and heart-wrenching for my husband to watch me in such pain for the past few months, and to place his trust in Dr Schwindack also. My husband and I are deeply humbled (and eternally grateful) by the way in which Dr Schwindack handled the whole thing.

The surgery was a success. The debilitating pain has completely gone. And once this next 3 months passes with me ’taking it easy’ and ‘following the recommendations during recovery time’ I will have my life back. I owe this 100% to Dr Chris Schwindack and have no hesitation with recommending his expertise to anyone.

I am fully aware of the fact that I have to take responsibility for my part also. There’s no such thing as a ‘magic pill’ or a ‘miracle’. Health is multi-faceted thing that we must take personal responsibility for. So I am very much ‘following the doctor's recommendations in these next 3 months of post-surgery recovery time so as not to undo the brilliant work that Dr Schwindack did.

In January this year I had spinal surgery done by Dr Schwindack.
At this time I could walk only max 500 meters with extreme pain.
Today I was walking 4 km without any pain on a treadmill in 60 minutes. My age is 79 years.
Dr Schwindack and his secretary have been all time extremely caring.

Doctor Chris Schwindack & Chelsea are a great team of specialists , easy to talk to and everything was super explained clearly before the surgery and after the surgery and explained on how I would feel afterwards I had a boulding disc & spur removed went in with chronic pain and in a couple of hours later NO pain it was like turning the light switch off, a big thank you Dr Chris Schwindack you saved my life

Dr Chris is an incredibly generous, supportive and talented surgeon.
He is honest, thorough, practical and very very concise and clear
He looks at every possible scenario and gives an in-depth review of all options
He takes the time that is required to deal with clients on an individual basis and has an excellent and in-depth network of specialist colleagues and professionals
He has gone above and beyond every single time for my family and myself when we were facing frightening and potentially devastating health issues
We have absolute confidence in his abilities and integrity, and are truly grateful and blessed that he is an integral part of our life's journey

Genuine and a very good communicator. Can strongly recommend.

I am 18 years old now but 18 months ago I was diagnosed with a dermoid cyst in my cerebellum. I was operated on by Dr Christian Schwindack. Before my surgery he was kind in his manner however after surgery was another story. What should have been a max 2 day stay in ICU was turned into 5 days due to shocking pain, vomiting and high fevers. When he finally saw me he told me I didn’t have a temp (it was 38.5) and that I needed to get up out of bed and walk around. When on the ward it was finally revealed to me that I had chemical meningitis due to some of the contents of my cyst being dropped into my spinal cord during surgery. I was meant to leave hospital on the Friday - 12 days after surgery - but due to one of his team cutting my tramadol cold turkey, I got a rebound headache and had to stay an extra 3 days. Dr Schwindack essentially blamed me for this delay in being discharged. I suffered from severe vomiting for 4 months post op and since then had multiple MRI’s due to continued headaches, dizziness, nausea, neck pain, unsteady on my feet, muffled hearing, ringing in ears etc. The MRI’s show a small leak in my membranes and a collection of fluid in my cranium. He has dismissed all my symptoms and told me to ‘get on with my life’ and due to my high anxiety and diagnosed PTSD from surgery ‘imagine your on a beach somewhere’. He has said these headaches are not caused by the leak or fluid collection and even insinuated that I am exaggerating my symptoms. I am nearly 18 months post surgery and I feel worse now than I did when I had a golf ball size tumour in my head. My latest MRI, done 4 days ago, continues to show the leak and fluid. I am going to get a private opinion and he will be hearing from me again. He has a very large god complex and one that is going to get him in to trouble and cause someone life threatening issues. I will continue to advocate for myself until I feel better and able to cope with life without pain. Never did I expect to have to be on a disability pension at my age.

Not really impressed with the service that was offered. Chris was very professional and polite, but abrupt. I did not feel listened to or respected (probably because my issue is deemed ‘minor’). My neck is not able to be operated on, which I completely understand why and I respect his professional opinion on this. The main reason for my rating is, when I asked what to do about my pain, he said to “stop taking painkillers” and “imagine being on a beach”. Firstly, this is completely insensitive to anyone experiencing chronic pain. Secondly, I hate the beach. If Chris had of said “try some mindfulness meditation exercises” (which I already do), this would have been slightly better, but still insensitive for someone with chronic pain. I enquired about perhaps attending a pain clinic for further support, but he told me this would not be useful. Again, I respect this opinion, but I attended this appointment to get relief for my pain, but it appears my only option to imagine being on a beach.

I found Dr Schwindack very dismissive of my symptoms and concerns. After ordering scans, I was essentially told to go off all pain medication and walk it off... after seeking a second opinion from another amazing neurosurgeon I was finally given answers picked up from the scans Dr Schwindack had ordered following months of pain and suffering that required surgical intervention. I feel also that if the job isn't "big" he won't look at it. Very disappointed.

I went to see this doctor because I was having on-going severe pain after spinal surgery. He didn't want to know about it telling me that he wouldn't give an opinion on another surgeons work. His professional relationships were more important. He didn't mind charging me over $200.00 for absolutely nothing, despite being advised when making the appointment that I was seeking a second opinion. I found his attitude very unprofessional and certainly not patient focused.

AVOID absolutely disgusted by this drs Chris Schwindack receptionist just told me that dr Chris won’t see me because I missed a previous Appointment, I told her yes I know I did but my mother had passed away he reply yes but you didn’t call to cancel the appointment, I wouldn’t recommend going to this Dr for any medical help if this is the way they look at a loss of life being my mother.
I actually couldn’t believe her words or tone & attitude was horrific. Then had the hide to say sorry for your loss but you didn’t call to cancel your last appointment.
I said yes I know but I just lost my mother!
I then said so you won’t book me again she said
NO
SOME OEOPLE SHOULD NOT WORK IN THE HEALTH SECTOR
Oh & let’s not forget I was going to him for my health what a appalling attitude to the health services & as a human being